Governments of Europe

Governments of Europe

The governments of Europe had a variety of differences. It all started when Europeans began to see what a treasure chest the Americas really were. Nations began to arrange their government around mercantilism. Nations required goods that would provide wealth for the country such as gold, silver, and wood. The Europeans established colonies in the Americas to provide the raw goods that they needed. The colonies shipped these goods back to their home country where the goods were turned into currency. The goods that could not be made into currency where used as trade items with other countries.

Spain was receiving much wealth from America, but still faced many problems. Spain was facing numerous revolts against their new king, Charles I. Many of the Spanish people distrusted Charles because he had never been to Spain before. Charles wanted to unite all of Spain with one religion, Catholicism, and abolish Protestantism. Spanish sovereigns believed in what is called divine right. Divine right is the belief that that God had selected them to rule. Since God had selected them to rule they thought that they should have absolute power. Absolute monarchy, a form of government where the rulers have infinite power, was born. The defeat of the Spanish Armada by the English contributed to Spain's decline.

In 1593, Henry IV of France, converted to Catholicism but granted the Edict of Nantes in 1598. The Edict of Nantes established religious acceptance to the Huguenots which were a group of Protestants. Henry created religious peace by theses acts. In the 1600s, Cardinal Richelieu was appointed as Louis XIII's main advisor. Richelieu gradually increased the power of the monarchy, while decreasing the noble's power. Instead of having nobles, Richelieu replaced them with middle class officers called intendants. Intendants managed matters of law enforcement, commerce, taxation, and justice. In 1651, Louis XIV inherited the thrown. He began to quell rebellions and exile all those that opposed him. Like King Charles of Spain, Louis XIV wanted to unite the country of France under one religion, Catholicism. Therefore, Louis XIV nullified the Edict of Nantes which resulted in over 300,000 Huguenots fleeing France.

Unlike Spain and France, England had a limited monarchy. England's rulers needed the Parliament's permission to impose taxes, change laws, or any act of power. The rulers of England, of course, preferred absolute monarchy over limited