APEURO: Unit 1, Renaissance and Exploration - The Rise of the New Monarchies, Spain, France, England

Why This Matters

The Rise of the New Monarchies in Spain, France, and England was a pivotal moment in European history, marking the transition from feudalism to absolute monarchy. This shift in power dynamics had far-reaching consequences, including the consolidation of royal authority, the emergence of a centralized state, and the development of a more complex system of government. Understanding this period is crucial for grasping the AP theme of Politics and Power, as it highlights the ways in which monarchs like Philip II of Spain, Henry IV of France, and Elizabeth I of England navigated the complexities of statecraft, diplomacy, and war to establish their authority and secure their thrones.

Key Events & People

• Philip II of Spain (1556-1598): King of Spain who centralized power, established the Spanish Inquisition, and oversaw the construction of the Armada of 1588.
• Henry IV of France (1589-1610): King of France who introduced the Edict of Nantes, granting toleration to Huguenots, and established the French monarchy as a centralized state.
• Elizabeth I of England (1558-1603): Queen of England who established the Church of England, defeated the Spanish Armada, and solidified English power through her diplomatic and military prowess.
• The Spanish Inquisition (1478-1834): A tribunal established by Pope Sixtus IV to root out heresy and enforce Catholic orthodoxy in Spain.
• The Edict of Nantes (1598): A decree issued by Henry IV of France granting toleration to Huguenots and establishing the principle of religious freedom in France.
• The Armada of 1588: A Spanish naval expedition sent to invade England, which was defeated by the English navy and marked a turning point in the struggle for European dominance.
• The Treaty of London (1604): A treaty between England and Spain that ended hostilities and established a period of peace between the two nations.
• The Council of Trent (1545-1563): A Catholic council that reformed the Church and established the principles of Catholic orthodoxy.
• The English Reformation (1534-1553): A series of events that led to the establishment of the Church of England and the separation of the English Church from Rome.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The rise of the New Monarchies was fueled by the decline of feudalism and the emergence of a more complex system of government.
• Effect: The consolidation of royal authority led to the establishment of centralized states and the development of more complex systems of government.

• Long-term consequence: The rise of the New Monarchies laid the groundwork for the emergence of modern nation-states and the development of modern systems of government.

• Cause: The establishment of the Spanish Inquisition was a response to the threat of heresy and the need to enforce Catholic orthodoxy in Spain.

• Effect: The Inquisition led to the persecution of Jews, Muslims, and Protestants, and contributed to the decline of tolerance and the rise of intolerance in Europe.

• Long-term consequence: The Inquisition had a lasting impact on the development of European society, contributing to the rise of anti-Semitism and the decline of religious tolerance.

• Cause: The Edict of Nantes was a response to the need for religious toleration in France and the desire to establish a more stable and peaceful society.

• Effect: The Edict of Nantes granted toleration to Huguenots and established the principle of religious freedom in France.
• Long-term consequence: The Edict of Nantes contributed to the development of modern concepts of religious freedom and tolerance.

Essential Vocabulary

• Absolutism: A system of government in which the monarch holds complete and absolute power.
• Centralization: The process of concentrating power and authority in a single location or institution.
• Feudalism: A system of government in which power is held by a network of lords and vassals.
• Huguenot: A member of the French Protestant minority.
• Inquisition: A tribunal established to root out heresy and enforce Catholic orthodoxy.
• Monarchy: A system of government in which power is held by a single ruler or monarch.
• Reformation: A movement that sought to reform the Catholic Church and establish Protestantism.
• Toleration: The practice of allowing individuals to hold different beliefs or practices without persecution.
• Treaty: A formal agreement between nations or states.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: Confusing the Spanish Inquisition with the English Reformation.
• Correction: The Spanish Inquisition was a Catholic tribunal established to root out heresy, while the English Reformation was a movement that led to the establishment of the Church of England.

• Memory trick: Think of the Inquisition as a "Spanish" issue, while the Reformation was an "English" issue.

• What students often get wrong: Believing that the Edict of Nantes was a permanent solution to the problem of religious toleration in France.

• Correction: The Edict of Nantes was a temporary solution that was eventually revoked by Louis XIV.

• Memory trick: Think of the Edict of Nantes as a "temporary" fix, rather than a permanent solution.

• What students often get wrong: Confusing the Treaty of London with the Treaty of Versailles.

• Correction: The Treaty of London was a treaty between England and Spain, while the Treaty of Versailles was a treaty between the Allies and Germany after World War I.
• Memory trick: Think of the Treaty of London as a "Spanish" issue, while the Treaty of Versailles was a "German" issue.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the role of the monarch in the development of modern nation-states. Be sure to include specific examples from the rise of the New Monarchies in Spain, France, and England.
• Possible evidence: The Edict of Nantes, the Spanish Inquisition, the Treaty of London, the English Reformation, and the Council of Trent.

• Possible thesis statement: The rise of the New Monarchies marked a significant turning point in the development of modern nation-states, as monarchs like Philip II of Spain, Henry IV of France, and Elizabeth I of England established centralized states and developed more complex systems of government.

• Possible essay prompt: Compare and contrast the policies of Philip II of Spain and Elizabeth I of England towards the Catholic Church.

• Possible evidence: The Spanish Inquisition, the English Reformation, the Treaty of London, and the writings of Philip II and Elizabeth I.
• Possible thesis statement: While both Philip II and Elizabeth I sought to establish their authority and secure their thrones, their policies towards the Catholic Church reflect fundamentally different approaches to power and authority.

Quick Self-Check

1. Who was the king of Spain who centralized power and established the Spanish Inquisition? Answer: Philip II of Spain. Explanation: Philip II of Spain was a key figure in the rise of the New Monarchies, establishing a centralized state and enforcing Catholic orthodoxy through the Spanish Inquisition.

2. What was the significance of the Edict of Nantes? Answer: The Edict of Nantes granted toleration to Huguenots and established the principle of religious freedom in France. Explanation: The Edict of Nantes was a significant turning point in the development of modern concepts of religious freedom and tolerance.

3. Who was the queen of England who defeated the Spanish Armada and solidified English power? Answer: Elizabeth I of England. Explanation: Elizabeth I of England was a key figure in the rise of the New Monarchies, establishing the Church of England and defeating the Spanish Armada to secure English power.

Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• The Spanish Inquisition was established by Pope Sixtus IV in 1478.
• The Edict of Nantes was issued by Henry IV of France in 1598.
• The Treaty of London was signed between England and Spain in 1604.
• The English Reformation was led by Henry VIII, who broke with Rome in 1534.
• The Council of Trent was a Catholic council that reformed the Church from 1545-1563.
• Philip II of Spain was the king of Spain from 1556-1598.
• Henry IV of France was the king of France from 1589-1610.
• Elizabeth I of England was the queen of England from 1558-1603.
• The Armada of 1588 was a Spanish naval expedition sent to invade England.
• The Treaty of Versailles was a treaty between the Allies and Germany after World War I.