Introduction to Absolutism French Absolutism THE AGE OF ABSOLUTISM Introduction to Absolutism French Absolutism

Goals today Analyze the rise of Absolute Monarchs Compare and Contrast monarchs during the Age of Absolutism to monarchs from Middle Ages Explain the characteristics of an Absolute Monarch Analyze primary sources relating to Absolutism

Do Now – You are KING! (Middle Ages – Religious Wars) How would you respond to these situations? You are crowed king/queen. Who crowns you? Now that you are on the throne, what are some positive things that you will get? How will you spend your newly found wealth? OOPS!! You have gone over on your royal budget patronizing Renaissance Art. How will you raise more money? One of your nobles is upset because they feel you are ignoring the problems in their land. What do you do? WAR BREAKS OUT!!! The Catholic Church is asking for more troops. How will you raise them? The ideas of the Reformation have spread into your kingdom. How do you deal the with influx of Protestant Ideas? Your nation is under attack during the Thirty Years War. How do you raise an army? What happens if you lose?

Do Now….PART 2 If you had ABSOLUTE control of the school – what would you do?

Monarchs in Middle Ages vs. Modern Age Modern Era European Monarchs gets power from God (often crowned in churches) Their power was limited by church, nobility, privileges of towns, cities All are sources of authority that will limit a king’s power More powerful in this period than middle ages All political power from the throne King could not be limited Louis XIV is the poster boy for Absolutism Legit because it is from God God’s only agent on earth is the king and enjoys all of his power Chaos of wars of religion and power vacuum (French Wars of Religion)

What is Absolutism?? Absolutism in Europe Absolute Monarch: kings or queens who held all of the power within their states’ boundaries Their goal was to control every aspect of society including religion Most believed they had divine right: belief that God created the monarchy and that the monarch acted as God’s representative on earth. An absolute monarch answered only to God, not to his or her subjects Over the next few centuries, many absolute monarchs would appear in Europe Decline of feudalism, rise of cities, growth of national kingdoms all helped to centralize authority Rising middle class typically sided with the monarchs

What does it mean to be Absolute? 3 key components Strong Central Government – no one can stand in your way Strong military – Conquer and defend Strong economy – create wealth to support to the country

Henry IV Bribed the French Nobility to go home Centralized authority in crown Reorganized taxation system to give more money to the crown Expanded Power as a result of this Assassinated in 1610. Succeed by son (Louis XIII) who was 11

Death of Henry

Louis XIII (13th) & Cardinal Richelieu

Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu Louis was weak king Richelieu essentially ran France Architects of French Monarchy - continued the ideas of father Used French military to dismantle castles of Huguenots and nobles Increased the size of French Military - Nobles are not a threat anymore Sought to unity religion, Restrict Protestant rights Richelieu defeated Protestant Rebellion

Louis XIV (14th) King mostly associated with absolute monarchy Built on the foundations of Henry IV and Louis XIII Completed the progress of centralized authority

Early Years 1643 - Louis took the throne at the age of 5 Mother, Cardinal Mazarin ruled as his regents until he came of age 1648 - 1653 - Noble Revolution (Fronde Revolts) Royal Family fled Paris - Louis never forgot this disgrace The noble’s rebellion failed for 3 reasons They distrusted each other The government used violent repression Peasants and townspeople grew weary of fighting

The Sun King’s Grand Style A Life of Luxury Louis lives very well, with every meal a feast. Louis Controls the Nobility Louis keeps nobles at palace to increase his power over them. Builds magnificent palace at Versailles Patronage of the Arts Versailles is a center of arts during reign of Louis XIV Purpose of the arts is to glorify Louis

Louis’ Power Louis took total control at age 22 He excluded the nobles from his councils to strengthen his own power Increased the power of the intendants, or government agents, who collected taxes and administered justice Louis made the nobles dependent on him by making them live with him in the palace Wanted to make France self-sufficient (Mercantilism: wealth = power) to prevent wealth from leaving France so they manufactured everything needed in France

Palace of Versailles Grandest royal residence in Europe Removed himself from Parisian Mob Consumed all of the royal revenue Maintenance consumed 25 percent of royal revenue Versailles occupied the French Nobles - distracted them with fancy stuff Free to rule France

The Life of an Absolute Monarch

Versailles Statistics 2,000 acres of grounds 12 miles of roads 27 miles of trellises 200,000 trees 210,000 flowers planted every year 80 miles of rows of trees 55 acres surface area of the Grand Canal 12 miles of enclosing walls 50 fountains and 620 fountain nozzles 21 miles of water conduits 3,600 cubic meters per hour: water consumed 26 acres of roof 51,210 square meters of floors 2,153 windows 700 rooms 67 staircases 6,000 paintings 1,500 drawings and 15,000 engravings 2,100 sculptures 5,000 items of furniture and objects d'art 150 varieties of apple and peach trees in the Vegetable Garden

Versailles Today

Palais de Versailles

Palais de Versailles

Versailles Palace, Park Side

Garden View of Versailles

Chateau de Versailles

The Orangery

Fountains, Fountains, and More Fountains!

And More Fountains!

And More Fountains!

And Even More Fountains!!!

Hall of Mirrors

The King’s Bed The Queen’s Bed

Louis XIV Furniture

Military Power France had 20 million people (more than England or the Dutch) The French army was far ahead of other states’ in size, training, and weaponry

Louis Fights Disastrous Wars Attempts to Expand France’s Boundaries Louis fights wars in the 1660s and 1670s to expand France. 1667-Invades Spanish Netherlands. 1672-Invades Dutch Netherlands. In 1680s, many countries unite against him in League of Augsburg France is weakened by poor harvests, warfare, and high taxes. War of Spanish Succession War of Spanish Succession begins in 1701 This war attempts to prevent the union of the French and Spanish throne. War ends in 1714; France and Spain lose some possessions.

Louis’ Legacy When Louis died in his bed in 1715, people rejoiced in France He had left France a very powerful state France ranked #1 in Europe in art, literature, and statesmanship France was the military leader of Europe Due to warfare and the palace at Versailles, France was deeply in debt Resentment over the tax burden of the poor was plague his heirs and lead to revolution

What are the Pros and Cons of an Absolute Monarch?

Possible answers Benefit: Consistent leadership is good for business Drawback: Decision-making depends on the whims of a single person Benefit: The people might gain protection Drawback: people may be punished if their religion differs from the monarch Benefit: The people may gain pride in their country

Summary of Absolute Monarchy Achievements – weakened the nobles, provided strong central government, generally furthered growth of nation states Weaknesses – nation’s welfare depended on one person, sacrificed national well-being for personal or family interests, led nations into costly wars, disregarded the rights of the common people