The 16th-century Protestant Reformation began as a reaction against corruption in the Catholic Church and transformed Europe's political map. During the same period, powerful absolute monarchies were established in various countries.
The Protestant Reformation
- Luther (1517): "The Ninety-Five Theses" → criticized the sale of indulgences
- Calvin: predestination (God determines in advance who will be saved), approval of hard work and wealth accumulation → the spirit of capitalism
- Church of England: Henry VIII broke with Rome over a divorce issue (1534)
- Council of Trent (1545–63): Catholic reflection and reform (Counter-Reformation)
Absolute Monarchy
From the 16th to the 18th centuries, powerful monarchs unified and governed their states by suppressing the power of feudal nobles and the Church.
・France: Louis XIV, "I am the state," built the Palace of Versailles
・Spain: Philip II and the Spanish Armada
・Prussia: Frederick II (an enlightened despot)
Mercantilist policies: the state managed trade and industry and accumulated wealth
From the 16th to the 18th centuries, powerful monarchs unified and governed their states by suppressing the power of feudal nobles and the Church.
・France: Louis XIV, "I am the state," built the Palace of Versailles
・Spain: Philip II and the Spanish Armada
・Prussia: Frederick II (an enlightened despot)
Mercantilist policies: the state managed trade and industry and accumulated wealth
Key Points
- Luther → Germany (Lutheranism); Calvin → Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Scotland
- Thirty Years' War (1618–48) → the Peace of Westphalia established national sovereignty
- Absolute monarchy = bureaucracy + standing army + mercantilism
Practice Questions
- Who was the reformer who published "The Ninety-Five Theses" in 1517?
- Who proposed the doctrine of predestination and founded the Protestant branch known as Calvinism?
- State the name of the palace considered a symbol of French absolute monarchy and the name of the king who built it.
Answers
- Martin Luther
- John Calvin
- Palace of Versailles, Louis XIV