French Absolutism

Big Picture In the wake of disastrous Wars of Religion (see Ch. 14) in the late 16th Century (1500’s), King Henry IV, the first of the French Bourbon kings, began restoring the power of the French monarchy. Then in the early 17th Century (1600’s), Cardinal Richelieu, chief minister to Louis XIII, raised the authority of the French monarchy to new heights and increased France’s Power in Europe.

Big Picture (cont.) Cardinal Mazarin continued Richelieu’s work during the early years of the reign of King Louis XIV, further reducing the power of the nobility. After Louis XIV’s personal rule began in 1661, the French absolute monarchy stood at the height of its power both in France and Europe. The wars of Louis XIV proved extremely costly, however, and left France a burden of debt that would lead to the French monarchy to collapse int eh 18th century (1700’s). Nevertheless, in the 17th century, France was the most powerful country in Europe.

THE AGE OF ABSOLUTE MONARCHS

BACKGROUND Theory of Absolutism Sovereign power and ultimate authority of a state rests in the hands of a monarch Who do they get that power? GOD…..DIVINE RIGHT Not subordinate to any national assemblies Weakening of the Nobility (West) Nobility in the EAST remained strong

BACKGROUND Theory of Absolutism Bureaucracy Career officials (lifetime terms) Appointed by Monarch (Loyalty) Many (bourgeoisie) middle class / or new nobility Purchased titles from king Eager to play a loyal role while weakening power of old nobility In order to enforce loyalty, professional, full time armies were raised (Military revolution)

BACKGROUND Theory of Absolutism CHURCH AND STATE Gain control of Catholic Church and make it one with the crown France/ Spain were best examples

BACKGROUND Theory of Absolutism MILITARY SECRET POLICE Large standing Military Conscripts / no more mercenaries from other states SECRET POLICE go after political opponents/ Fear! Similar to 20th Century Totalitarianism However, they lacked the technology and military resources of Stalin and Hitler They did not include the masses like 20th Century (Doplovoro, Strength through Joy, Hitler Youth, Brown Shirts etc.) Propaganda They focused more on destroying the nobility

BACKGROUND Theory of Absolutism ADVOCATES #1 Jean Bodin- 1530-1596 First to write about this philosophy During the Wars of Religion and Civil Wars in France (Chaos) Only a strong absolute monarch could force people to obey government and provide order

BACKGROUND Theory of Absolutism ADVOCATES #2 Bishop Jacques Bossuet 1627-1704 Chief Theorist of “Divine Right” Court preacher of Louis XIV “Politics Drawn from the Very Words of Holy Scripture” Govt. Was divinely ordained so Humans could live in an organized Peaceful society Stated that God established kings and through them reigned over all the peoples of the world (p. 427 Text) Kings were responsible to no one other than god (no assemblies)

BACKGROUND ADVOCATES Theory of Absolutism #3 Thomas Hobbes 1588-1679 “State of Nature” p. 451 Human beings are “Solitary, poor, nasty, brutish” Prefer anarchy and chaos because of Greed Thus society must submit to the “Great Leviathan” Hobbes did not prefer “Divine Right” -His ideas are more in touch with Voltaire and “Enlightened Despots” of the 17th and 18th Century -However, those with constitutional theories, saw Hobbes as too Authoritarian