Interactive Notebook Setup 1/29/2018 European Absolutism This will be one page
European State-Building Absolutism and Goals
European State-Building 2nd half of 15th century = began to recover from the plague and rebuild its population State-building occurred as Europe rebuilt politically after feudalism/plague Fragmented system of many separate, independent, and highly competitive states Examples: Spain, Portugal, France, England, etc.
European State-Building
European State-Building All of these states began to: Tax their citizens more efficiently Create more effective administrative structures Raise large standing armies State-building driven by: The needs of war warfare very frequent in such a fragmented and competitive political environment EX: British and French conflict called the Hundreds Years War
Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453) Between England and France Fought over rival claims to territories in France Result = French victory
European State-Building Used religion, art, and architecture to justify and display power
Pope giving authority to leaders after giving donations
Versailles, Home of French Monarchy 1680
Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow
Absolutism Age of Absolutism—Late 15-18th Century DEFINITION: One ruler has total centralized authority with little to no checks on power from religious, legislative, or judicial institutions Age of Absolutism—Late 15-18th Century 1660-1789 (Height of it, but since 1500 rulers had been trying to make the state more powerful)
Absolutism Ruled through something called divine right This meant that God wanted PARTICULAR monarchs and their family to rule Required support of the Catholic Church Ruler is accountable ONLY to God for their actions Supports the idea of absolute monarchy in which the monarch’s power is not checked by any earthly agent
Louis XIV “L’état, c’est moi” I am the State
SUN KING
Goals of Absolutism Direct & Unquestioned control of: Enlarged military Legal system Collection and distribution of taxes Bureaucracy that is loyal only to the monarchy NOT THE MONARCHY Basically replace Feudal System, power of the Nobility, and Church