Transcript Document
FRENCH ABSOLUTISM THE RISE OF ABSOLUTE MONARCHS (1650-1750) In what sense were these forms “modern”? Which countries most clearly illustrate the new patterns of political organization How did these forms of government differ in Western and Eastern Europe? What were the limitations of absolutism? “Absolute power corrupts absolutely” The Divine Right of Kings The Modern Nation State Strong Central Government Universal laws Permanent Army – professional soldiers paid by the State Trained Bureaucrats Collect taxes, enforce laws, administer justice Secular State State above Religion Churches do not determine state policy National Security National Power and Glory National language, pride, common culture, and history distinct from others Weak Medieval Kings Power Feudal Nobel Lords Religious Wars France, England*, Spain (Western) Prussia, Russia, Austria – (Eastern) Diverse Gradual shift from loyalty to regional, local lords – monarch rise of the Modern God’s earthly representative Obedience to God – Obedience to the King King could do no wrong Bishop Jacques Bossuet Politics Drawn From the Very Words of the Holy Scripture “The person of the king is sacred, and to attack him in any way is an attack on religion itself.” Poltitique – “The (politiques) believed man lived primarily in the state, not in the church.” “The politiques were men who concluded that too much was being made of religion, that no doctrine was important enough to justify everlasting war, that perhaps afterall there might be room for two churches, and that what the country needed above all else was civil order.” Paved the way for French Absolutism by helping to restore internal peace New Nobility – “Nobles of the Robe” Disorders of religious wars germinated the idea of royal absolutism and the sovereign state Henry IV – assassinated 1610 by a Catholic Fanatic 1610-1643 Son of Henry IV 6 years old when his father dies Mother Marie de Medici – Regent Huguenot revolts Promoted Cardinal Richelieu – Chief Advisor 1585-1642 Chief advisor – 1624-1642 Shrewd, Brilliant, Energetic, Loyal, Catholic Shaped the destiny of France France – supreme power in Europe Strengthened the power of the king Threats to royal power? Huguenots – “state within a state” Peace of Alais (1629) – amended the Edict of Nantes Military rights of Huguenots must be removed Protestantism often served as a religious cloak Siege of La Rochelle Royal Commissioners Middle class, lesser nobles Administrative System France divided into 32 districts Duties: collect taxes, recruit men for army, administer laws, regulate economic activities WHY? RICHELIEU “If you give me six lines written by the most honest man, I will find something in them to hang him.”- Cardinal Richelieu (Armand-Jean du Plessis) “SUN KING” 1638-1715 Father – Louis XIII Mother – Anne of Austria King age of 5 Longest reigning monarch in European History Cardinal Jules Mazarin a regent Childhood marked by noble uprisings 1602-1661 Continued Richelieu’s centralizing policies The Frondes – 1648-1652 – series of widespread rebellions – French civil war Term used for those who opposed the King Nobility opposed – strong central government an new taxes imposed by Mazarin 1660 married Maria Theresa – Spanish Princess 1661 Mazarin dies – age of 23 Louis takes the sole reign of France Financial Minister Jean Baptiste Colbert Encouraged art, music, theater, architecture, painting, sculptor, science 1664-1715 10 miles outside the city of Paris Originally a royal hunting lodge Official residence of Kings 1682-1790 Baroque Style 1837 Louis Philippe – converted Museum Strong king preferable to anarchy Frightened a young Louis XIV Caused him to fear the nobles and look for ways to control them 1616-1683 Chief financial minister Mercantilist Expanded gov’t role in the economy French East India company Built roads, canals Expanded Merchant fleet Tax burden - peasants 1685 Revoked 200,000 Huguenots fled “one king, one faith, one law” The War of Devolution (1667-1668) The Dutch War (16721678) War of the League of Augsburg (1688-1697) War of Spanish Succession (1701-1714) 4 major wars in 46 years “the line of the Rhine” Louis XIV Natural Border Expansionist Policy Closest relative – Heir Louis XIV grandson – Philip the Duke of Anjou Philip V – Spain Problem? France and Spain Unite? TOO POWERFUL Grand Alliance – England, Dutch, Austria, Prussia, HRE v. France 1713 – Treaty of Utrecht Phillip V (1700-46) remains King of Spain France and Spain never to unite Austrian Hapsburgs acquire – Spanish Netherlands (Belgium), Milan, Naples, Sardinia Elector of Brandenburg – King of Prussia End of French expansionist policy Completed the decline of Spain Vastly expanded Great Britain BALANCE OF POWER Experience in international cooperation Strong Central Government “one faith, one law, one king” Weakened forced that tended to divide nations Growth towards the Modern Nation State Nation’s welfare dependent upon the ability of one person Countless costly wars Disregarded the needs of the rights of the common people