Absolutism TImeline

  • Nov 12, 1555

    The Peace of Augsburg

    The Peace of Augsburg
    Charles V approves Peace of Augsburg allowing princes to choose the religion of their territory.
  • Nov 3, 1556

    Philip II Becomes King

    Philip II Becomes King
    Philip II takes over power from Charles' reign,
  • Nov 3, 1556

    Charles V Retires

    Charles V Retires
    Charles ends his title as King of Spain.
  • Nov 3, 1563

    King Philip Begins the Construction of El Escorial

    King Philip Begins the Construction of El Escorial
    Eventually it was completed after his death in 1567. It became a royal residence like Versailles.
  • Nov 3, 1568

    1,500 Protestants Executed

    1,500 Protestants Executed
    A Spanish duke kills 1,500 Protestants upon mobbing Catholic Churches.
  • Nov 3, 1579

    Protestant Netherlands are United

    Protestant Netherlands are United
    The seven northern provinces of the Netherlands decided to unite and declare their independence from Spain.
  • Nov 3, 1580

    Philip II Seizes Portugal

    Philip II Seizes Portugal
    Philip II seizes the Portugese Kingdom for Spain.
  • Spanish Armada

    Spanish Armada
    Intending to punish England for being Prostenant and for pirating their treasure ships, Philip II launches the Spanish Armada and loses a lot of money in return.
  • King Henry the Fourth is Crowned

    King Henry the Fourth is Crowned
    Henry had assassinated King Henry the Third to receive the throne.
  • Spain Derives Gold from the Americas

    Spain Derives Gold from the Americas
    Approximately 339,000 pounds of was supplied to Spain from their American colonies.
  • Thirty Years' War Begins

    Thirty Years' War Begins
    A series of wars in Central Europe.
  • Thirty Years' War Ends

    Thirty Years' War Ends
    The longest conflict in European History.
  • Louis Weakens Nobles and Strengthens Government

    Louis Weakens Nobles and Strengthens Government
    After Cardinal Mazarin dies, Louis makes sure the nobles are weakend so that the government and himself have more power.
  • King Louis XIV is Crowned

    King Louis XIV is Crowned
    Also known as Louis the Great or the Sun King, he ruled for 72 years before his death. They longest of any monarch.
  • Louis Attempts to Expand France

    Louis Attempts to Expand France
    He captures Spanish Netherlands and gains 12 towns for his country. He attempts to capture the Dutch Netherlands but fails.
  • Louis Fights Additional Wars

    Louis Fights Additional Wars
    He hopes that maybe he will gain some land through these wars. He was eventually stopped by a European wide alliance.
  • Louis Expands the Palace of Versailles

    Louis Expands the Palace of Versailles
    Proof of Absolute power and became the official residence of kings.
  • The Edict of Fontainebleau

    The Edict of Fontainebleau
    Was the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes where Louis XlV ordered the destruction of Huguenot churches.
  • The Treaty of Utrecht is Accepted by Louis

    The Treaty of Utrecht is Accepted by Louis
    Signed by the belligerents in the War of the Spanish Succession.
  • King Louis XIV Dies

    King Louis XIV Dies
    Passes away in Versailles just before his 77th birthday.