The Commercial Revolution Most of Europe remained agricultural. Fastest growing part of the economy was trade of goods. Those manufactured in Europe

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1 13. The Old Regime: Absolutism and Enlightenment People to Know 1. Henry VIII 2. Thomas Hobbes 3. Louis XIV 4. John Locke 5. William Blackstone 6. Sir Isaac Newton 7. Robert Boyle 8. Thomas Jefferson 9. Voltaire 10. Baron de Montesquieu 11. Jean-Jacques Rousseau 12. Adam Smith The Commercial Revolution Most of Europe remained agricultural. Fastest growing part of the economy was trade of goods. Those manufactured in Europe

2 Those brought from Asia and the Americas. Marked the shift from local economies to global economy. Aspects: Global Trade From Americas Sugar Rice Tobacco Precious metals From China Silks Porcelain India Tea East Indies spices Africa- slaves Europe exported woolens, lumber and finished goods. Aspects: Mercantilism European trade with Their Colonies Aspect: Emergence of Free Enterprise (Capitalism) Business owners risk their capital (money) in a business in order to make profits. New Businesses: weaving cloth, processing foodstuffs, forging iron wares, building ships Joint-Stock Companies Several individuals shared in the cost and the profits. Early form of corporations. Many English colonies were founded by Joint-Stock Companies. Financial Revolution Banks found new ways of raising and lending money by using bonds. Sold funds to public Would pay back with interest Bankers and merchants became more influential in government. Flow of capital resulted in more products from which to choose: tea, sugar, coffee, cotton cloth.

3 Also opened the doors to new forms of entertainment and literature. The Age of Kings: Power of European Monarchs (Hereditary rulers) grew as a result of: Decline of feudalism The Renaissance The Protestant Reformation Commercial Revolution Could exercise their power with: Wars of Religion Changing roles of the nobility New justifications. Wars of Religion During this period, most kings took control of religion within their borders. Were able to build strong armies and raise taxes. Kings used their military to defeat any resistance to taxes. Henry VIII made himself head of the national church as early as Changing Roles of the Nobility Monarchs took control of their nobility Louis XIV built the palace at Versailles and forced his nobility to live there so he could watch their movements. Nobility kept wealth and privileges but were expected to obey the king. New Justifications for Royal Power Reason of State It was best for the state. Thomas Hobbes wrote that man was not naturally good. A strong central government was necessary to maintain control. Only the king could act impartially. Divine Right : The king is God s deputy on earth French Absolutism Refers to a monarch s total control over his subjects Louis XIV was model for others. Word was law Determined the economic and religious lives of his subjects. Protestants were to convert to Catholicism or leave France.

4 Russian Absolutism Most Russians were serfs (peasants) who were required by law to stay on the land and work for their noble landowners As serfdom was ending in western Europe it was increasing in eastern Europe. Peter the Great ( ) Forced Russia to adopt western ideas, culture and technology. Expanded the boundaries by defeating Sweden and Turkey. Moved the capital from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Catherine the Great ( ) Continued many of Peter s policies. Refused to part with any of her absolute power. Conditions of the Russian serfs worsened. Defeated the Ottoman Empire, expanded Russian border to the Black Sea, and carved up Poland with her neighbors. Limited Monarchy in England Magna Carta (1215): Englishmen could not be fined or imprisoned except according to the laws of the land. Barons would have to consent to raise taxes. Demonstrated that the king s power could be limited. Rise of Parliament: Legislative body with nobles in the House of Lords and elected representatives in the House of Commons. New taxes needed the approval of Parliament. England s Limited Monarchy Tudors Henry VIII and Elizabeth I Strong central government based on national unity. Church of England controlled by monarch and Parliament. Early Stuart Monarchs James I (1603) Charles I attempted to collect taxes without Parliament s approval. Dissolved Parliament when they questioned him.

5 Rebellion in Scotland forced him to recall Parliament English Civil War ( ) Between Charles I and Parliament Charles I was defeated and executed. England remained a republic for a short time under Cromwell. In 1660, Charles II was restored to the throne and agreed to limits to his power. Glorious Revolution ( ) James II converted to Catholicism and failed to respect subjects rights Parliament deposed the king. Invited William and Mary (James II daughter and son-in-law) to take his place English Bill of Rights Agreed to by new monarchs. Established Parliament as supreme over the king. Power is shifted. John Locke Challenged the divine right theory and the views of Hobbes. Believed that governments obtain their power from the people, not from God. Individuals are free in the state of nature Join together to form a community to protect themselves Community then gives power to the government in a social contract Main purpose of government is to protect life, liberty and property. Sir William Blackstone Wrote the Commentaries on the Laws of England Explained English common law (a system of laws based on a judge following the precedents of other courts. Mixed monarchy where power was shared by the king and Parliament. Scientific Revolution Revolution in science was based on the new scientific method.

6 People observed nature, made hypotheses (educated guesses) about relationships then used experience. Galileo general principles of physics. Robert Boyle Father of Chemistry Sir Isaac Newton Law of Gravity * The Enlightenment Scientific Revolution led to the intellectual movement known as the Enlightenment Belief that by applying reason and scientific laws, people would be better able to understand both nature and one another. Questioned traditional institutions, customs, and morals. Questioned the divine right of kings, hereditary privileges of the nobility and the power of the Catholic Church. Enlightened Philosophers Society operates on certain basic universal principles called natural laws People could use reason to discover these laws and then apply this knowledge to improve the quality of life. Roots of Democratic-Republican Government John Calvin: Citizens could challenge the actions of an ungodly king. John Locke: Each is born with a blank slate and shaped by our experiences. Voltaire: Believed in religious toleration and intellectual freedom Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Government should express the general will of the people. Baron de Montesquieu: Advocated the separation of powers and checks and balances in government. Adam Smith: Supported capitalism and laissez-faire. Thomas Jefferson Writings are influenced by the Enlightenment Philosopher, John Locke. American Declaration of Independence Recognizes the existence of natural rights (life, liberty and pursuit of happiness) Purpose of government is to protect those rights

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