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THE ANCIEN RÉGIME - Coggle Diagram
THE ANCIEN RÉGIME
THE POLITICS OF THE ANCIEN RÉGIME
absolute monarchy came to predominate in Western Europe
the crown had unlimited authority, which was believed to come from God
The model for absolute monarchy
Louis XIV of France (1643–1715)
He exerted his authority in various ways
he did not call the Estates General
so that it would not be able to limit his power
He controlled the government
He intervened in the economy
introducing protectionist measures
Spain's power began to decline
during the 17th-century reigns of the Lesser Hapsburgs
The main cause
Spain's defeat in the Thirty Years' War
which led to significant territorial losses
Parliamentary monarchy in England
Charles I faced opposition from Parliament when he tried to rule as an absolute monarch
This led to a civil war
between the supporters of the king and the supporters of Parliament
Charles I was defeated and executed
in 1649 a republic was established under the control of Parliamentarian commander Oliver Cromwell
After Cromwell's death
the absolute monarchy was re-established under Charles II
followed by James II
In 1688
tensions between Parliament and James II led to the Glorious Revolution
Parliament offered the throne to William of Orange
He swore to uphold the Bill of Rights
a document written by Parliament which became the precedent for similar documents in other countries
the establishment of a parliamentary monarchy
the monarch's powers were limited by Parliament
In 1707
the parliaments of England and Scotland
signed a series of agreements
which unified the two countries
known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain
Parliament was divided into two chambers
based on social differences between their members
The upper chamber
called the House of Lords
represented the nobility and clergy
The lower chamber
called the House of Commons
represented the rest of the population
its members were wealthy men
such as bankers and merchants
Tt is a period that covers the 17th and 18th centuries
key aspects of the feudal system were modified by political, economic and social changes
The bourgeoisie became wealthier and more powerful
due to their control of craft production and trade
Humanism developed
It was a new way of thinking
it replaced the conservative religious thought of the Middle Ages
It placed human beings, rather than God
at the centre of the Universe
New forms of skilled craftsmanship and increased trade
created a more open economy
compared to the closed economy that had characterised feudalism
Advances in science and philosophy
the desire to keep knowledge secret that had characterised the Middle Ages
European monarchs became more powerful
They forced the feudal lords to accept their authority
They exerted their power over all three estates of the realm
As a result, absolute monarchy was established
New artistic styles emerged
These were distinct from the type of art
that was promoted exclusively by the Catholic Church
These changes brought about the start of the Modern Age