Ng 1

Jared Ng

Honors History

2-26-18

I) Topic: The Catholic Church + Absolutism

Introduction- Throughout history, societies have developed institutions and practices

that often result in conflicts between the individual and their personal desires and

beliefs.

Thesis- The Catholic Church and Absolutism were two practices and traditions that

were challenged by society as the growing enlightenment movement gained more

popularity.

II) First Topic: What the Catholic Church is, what it means

A) The Catholic Church

a. Salvation, Path to Heaven

B) Meaning in Society

a. Wealth

b. Safety

c. Faith and Service

i. Church were the only ones who could conduct a service as bibles

were in Latin

d. Community
 Ng 2

III) Second topic: Absolutism/Absolute Monarchy

A) France

a. Louis XIV

i. The “Sun King”

ii. Palace of Versailles

b. Culture and Wealth

i. Acquisition of luxurious and expensive commodities

B) Centralized Control

a. Palace of Versailles, removal of aristocracy from their provinces

i. Limits power

ii. Constant watch

b. Central Religion (Faith)

i. Louis XIV controlled the Catholic Church in France

ii. Pope did not want to battle the strongest monarchy in Europe

c. King appointed ministers who reported directly to him alone

C) Support for Monarchy

a. Self-Glorification and glory of France

b. Power (divine right)1 from God

c. Thomas Hobbes2

i. The Leviathan

d. Absolutism

1
Jacques B. Bousset, The Divine Right of Kings in 8 History Anthology, Spring 2018, pps. 14-17.
2
Thomas Hobbes, The Leviathan in Honors History Anthology, Spring 2018 pps. 18-21
 Ng 3

e. Paternalistic

IV) Third Topic: Challenges to the Church

A) Problems

a. Corruption

i. (Martin Luther’s 95 Thesis)3

b. Sales of indulgence

c. Simony

d. Anti-clericalism

B) Protestant Reformation (1517-1648)4

a. Martin Luther (Lutherans)

b. John Calvin (Calvinism)5

i. Predestination

C) Rationalism

a. Enlightenment rationalists question reason causing the church to adapt in

their thinking

b. Science

i. The Crime of Galileo: Indictment and Abjuration of 1633

D) Counter-reformation

a. Council of Trent6

i. Addressed many of the problems such as clergy education and

indulgences

3
Martin Luther, Ninety-Five Thesis in Honors History Anthology Spring 2018 pp. 1-2
4
Judge and Langdon, in Connections: A World History Second Edition pp. 482-485
5
John Calvin, on Predestination in Honors History Anthology Spring 2018 pp. 6-7
6
Council of Trent in Honors History Anthology Spring 2018 pp. 8-9
 Ng 4

b. Spanish Inquisition (1478-1834)

i. Counter Measure

V) Fourth Topic: Challenges to Absolutism

A) Nobility

a. Nobles had private armies and fortifications

b. Reading and Writing made nobles representatives collecting taxes for the

king

B) Enlightenment Ideas

a. John Locke7 (1,689)

i. Life, Liberty, Property

ii. Consent of the Governed

iii. Ex) Declaration of Independence

b. Louis XV + Louis XVI

i. Allowed enlightenment ideas to tear down monarchy

c. Rousseau

i. Government is meant to act on the “general will”

ii. Common good over individual desires and rights

C) Reign of Terror (1793-1794)

a. Bourgeoise

i. Unfair Taxes

ii. Food shortages

iii. Lack of artisans

7
John Locke, Of Civil Government, in Honors History Handout (Spring 2018), p. 43-46
 Ng 5

VI) Conclusion: Self and Society

Through the use of institutions and society, careful balances were maintained at the

cost of individuals desires and beliefs. These desires were expressed through

enlightenment thinkers or rebellion against the church.