Absolutism
Conflicting Viewpoints Absolutism Constitutionalism Ruler claims sole and uncontestable power. Central, Eastern Europe There is no parliament Or if there is, power is very weak Divine Right of Kings France, Austria, Spain, Prussia, Russia Often Catholic Ruler shares power with an assembly of elected representatives. England Dutch Republic British North American Colonies (all above – Protestant)
Leadership in France Louis XIII (r. 1610-1643), Cardinal Richelieu Oversaw involvement in Thirty Years’ War Anne of Austria, Cardinal Mazarin Rule until Louis XIV is older Faced with paying for war Created problems revolts across France
Cardinal Richelieu Finance minister Centralizing the state: French Academy Royal Council Intendant system Creation of nobles of the robe (as opposed to the older nobles of the sword) Judicial/admin positions
The Fronde (1648-1653) A series of revolts that threatened France Louis was 5 when he became king (1643) Nobles saw opportunity to gain control lost after French Wars of Religion (1598) Parlements, local councils fought as well Middle and Lower classes protested higher taxes Nobles did not want to overthrow king- Simply wanted a greater share of power
Louis XIV Model of absolute monarchy Tells the Paris high court of justice: “I am the State” Misleading? Needs: Local officials Peasants/Artisans Soldiers Tax Payers Clergy Nobles
Weakening the Nobles’ Authority When Mazarin died, Louis took control weakens the power of nobles by excluding them from his councils Increased the power of intendants, who collected taxes and administered justice Intendants were like “civil servants”; they were appointed by the king to make sure his rule was being followed all over France He made sure that local officials communicated with him regularly
The Sun King’s Grand Style Louis spent a fortune surrounding himself with luxury Built the palace at Versailles near Paris Palace was 500 yards long Ornate decoration and furnishings Intended to clearly show Louis’s wealth and power
Patronage of the Arts Versailles was a center of arts Louis made opera and ballet more popular Most famous writer – Moliere Wrote comedies Louis supported the arts as a way to glorify the king and promote values that supported his absolute rule
Louis Controls the Nobility Louis required hundreds of nobles to live at Versailles Nobles kept busy with elaborate rituals surrounding Louis The Levée Increased royal authority in two ways: Made the nobility dependent on Louis Took them away from their homes so the intendants had more power Kept them under Louis watchful eye
War: The Key to Absolutism Why does war aid in absolutism? Securing loyalty Professionalization of military Louis XIV’s Wars: aiming for the universal monarchy War of Devolution (1667-1668): Aix-la-Chapelle Dutch War (1672-1678):Nijmegen Franche-Comte War of the League of Augsburg (1688-1697): Rijswijk France must return most of their gains
How does he pay for war? Jean Baptiste Colbert and the Tax Problem Nobility and the Estates General Tax Farming Who bears the burden of French Taxes? Mercantilism Wealth = Power Encourages the growth of colonies Governs colonial trade and manufacturing
New types of Conformity Religious Revocation of the Edict of Nantes Jansenist persecution Political Using Versailles to tame the nobles The Intendant system The rise of the bourgeoisie
Louis’s Death (1715) & Legacy Positive legacy: France was a great power Leader in European art and literature Military leader of Europe Had a strong empire of colonies Negative legacy: Left huge debt from wars and building Versailles Resentment by the poor over taxes and Louis’s abuse of power eventually led to revolution
Central Europe: Austria Louis XIV serves as powerful model Hapsburgs significantly weakened by 30 Years War prompts a reorganization of their governing style Leopold I (1658-1705) Retreat to establish absolute rule in Austria, centered at Vienna Recruits and trains a permanent standing army “Replaces” nobility that supported the 1618 Bohemian revolt Vs. Ottomans for control of Hungary; establishes a dual monarchy
Central Europe: Prussia Hohenzollern family becomes politically important with the creation of the independent state of Prussia. Fredrick William (r. 1640-1688): “The Great Elector” also a Calvinist. Junkers What does it mean to be an army with a country, rather than a country with an army?
Prussian Militarism King Fredrick William regularly appears in court in military uniform 18th century expansion Abolition of luxury industries in Berlin in favor of military workshops
Prussia & the Austrian Empire: 1721-72