Chapter 16: Absolutism and Constitutionalism in Western Europe (1589-1715) Introduction Agricultural Crises: Grain Yields Food Shortage Population Industrial Crises: Wooden Textiles Manufacturing Economic Crisis Spain, Germany, England, France economy in middle of 17th century Netherlands in prosperity (Golden Age) Government Spending Taxes Revolts (peasants mostly) Peasant Revolts common in France Nobility Issues Spanish/ French Monarchs had control of the Roman Catholic Church, but Enlgish Rulers and German Municipalities couldn?t regulate it set up national churches.