Absolutism and State Building

1618-1715

ABSOLUTIST STATES

 What is absolutism? What is the theory of absolutism? What were the conditions for absolutism ie, what did European monarchs have to do to achieve absolute power? What is the connection between absolutism in Europe and war?

Absolutism in France
Attempt began under Louis XIII (1610-1643) Cardinal Richelieu (d 1642) and his successor, Mazarin, curbed the power of parlements Frondes in Paris, 1648-9 and 1650-3

I am the State
Louis XIV (1643-1715) towering (literally and figuratively) absolutist monarch Image construction Versailles symbolic expression in stone of Louis power and majesty

I am the State
Louis XIV (1643-1715) towering (literally and figuratively) absolutist monarch Image construction Versailles symbolic expression in stone of Louis power and majesty

The Sun King

Control over the nobility Centralized power Jean Baptiste Colbert increased royal revenues; theory of mercantilism Edict of Fontainebleau, 1685, reversed religious toleration of Edict of Nantes (1598)

Power/Knowledge
Patron of the arts Founded the French Academy of Sciences Subsidized a journal, Journal des savants Patronized the AcademieFrancaise

Wars of the Sun King

Four major wars, 1667-1714 European coalition formed after his attack on German towns Treaty of Ryswick, 1697 War of Spanish Succession (1701-1713) Louis wanted a French successor to Spanish throne Treaty of Utrecht (1713) France weakened by the time of Louis death

Spain
Decline in 17th century Vast territories at center of which was Castile Unifying force Spanish Inquisition Count-Duke of Olivares attempted reforms, financial, political, military

Spain
But Spain couldnt achieve the degree of centralization that France did Nobility couldnt be controlled Golden Age of painting But 17th century time of nostalgia for lost imperial grandeur

Germany
HRE confederation of various political entities Altered by Thirty Years War Started with Defenestration of Prague, 1618; Bohemia Protestant protest against Catholic Ferdinand II Became a Europe-wide conflict

Thirty Years War

Germany devastated 1648 Treaty of Westphalia Of the new states that emerged, Prussia and Austria would be dominant Frederick William (1640-1688) and his successors developed Prussia into cohesive state Bought over the nobility (Junkers)

Prussia
Standing army Prussia model military state Absolute power of the ruler was gradually consolidated

Austria
Diverse, multiethnic Couldnt achieve absolute control over its constituent parts

Ottoman Empire
Europes Other; Oriental Muslim, despotic But in fact Ottoman emperors power had become titular Religious toleration

Russia
Also regarded as Eastern Modernized/Westernized under Peter the Great (1682-1725) Imported ideas and technology from the West; built strong navy, military Absolutist ruler; military state Built the city of St Petersburg (1703) window on the West

Conclusion
Summarize developments in Europe from 1648 to 1715.

RESISTANCE TO ABSOLUTISM

The English Monarchy

English monarchy limited by power of parliament But Stuart kings, James I and Charles I, aroused suspicions of authoritarianism Charles suspended parliament in 1629 Period of personal rule until 1640

Fears of Catholicism
Archbishop of Canterbury reintroduced some Catholic rituals Extreme Protestants/Puritans feared a conspiracy Presbyterian Scots protested against imposition of Catholic rituals King needed funds to put down the Scots so forced to call on Parliament

King and Parliament

Tension between king and parliament Civil war began in 1642 Cavaliers vs Roundheads Parliamentarians (Roundheads) with their New Model Army won King captured 1646

King and Parliament

Civil war resumed in 1648 and again the Royalists were defeated King was executed in 1649 Monarchy was abolished and a republic declared Levellers radical group calling for revolutionary change But in the end power remained in the hands of elites

Lord Protector
Tension between army and Parliament led to the dissolution of parliament in 1653 Smaller parliament appointed by army Oliver Cromwell proclaimed Lord Protector Died in 1658 and the monarchy was restored in 1660 with Charles II accession to the throne

Revolution and Revolution

With Restoration, the revolution was over Charles II favored absolutism; quelled opposition to his suspectedly Catholic brother James succession to the throne James succeeded in 1685 Fears of popery grew Glorious Revolution, 1688

Glorious Revolution
Protestant William of Orange invaded William and Mary took throne, 1689 Accepted Declaration of Rights (Bill of Rights) Parliament now permanent element in English politics Absolutism was checked

Absolutism Checked
John Locke published Two Treatises of Government, 1690 Attack on absolutism; sovereignty lay in the people By 1720, England had become as powerful as France

Dutch Republic
Most exceptional of European states in 17th century Republican form of government Independence from Spain , 158 No centralization; confederation

Commercial Dominance
Power lay not with nobility or landed classes but with merchants and commercial classes Mercantile economy Strong trading power; highly urbanized, commercialized Became a colonial power (upstaging the Portuguese in Asia); Dutch East India Company spearheaded colonization

Financial Institutions
Institutions and techniques emerged to enable Dutch trade Exchange Bank, stock market, efficient bookkeeping

Religious Toleration
Netherlands became religiously diverse Majority Dutch Reformed (Protestant) Attracted religious dissidents and exiles (Huguenots, Jews, English Puritans) New York Dutch colony (known as New Amsterdam) until 1664 was also cosmopolitan and religiously diverse

Cultural Flowering
Golden Age of the Arts Many renowned Dutch painters (Rembrandt, Franz Hals) in the realist style (move away from religious themes, baroque style)

Conclusion
Discuss the evolution of European states between 1648 and 1715. Highlight characteristics that were common to all and point out differences between different states.