West-European Leadership

Location of Modern Society 1650: Modern or Western Civilization located in 500 mile radius around Paris Ireland, Portugal, Spain outside the zone

Characteristics of a Modern Society  Secular society  Modern natural science  Capitalism first expressed within  Modern state zone  Parliamentary government  Democratic ideas  Machine industry

Establishing West European Leadership  Leadership of Western Europe established after Peace of Westphalia: - Italian Renaissance faded - Religious Wars subsided - Holy Empire in ruins - Spain in decline  Cleared way for rise of Dutch, English, and French, although France will become the leader for the half century following Westphalia - Dutch too small - England dealing with domestic discord

Louis XIV

“The Sun King”  1643: Louis XIV inherited throne at 5 yrs. of age  1661: At age 23 he took over the affairs of state  1715: Died after reign of 72 years  Under his rule France became strongest state in Europe  French culture set the standard

Louis’s Expansionist Policies  In this age the key political question was “What was going to happen to Spain’s possessions?” - Spain – “sick man of Europe” : Charles II assumes Spanish throne impotent, product of Habsburg inbreeding Spanish lands in jeopardy  Expansionist policies of Louis: Married sister of Charles II 1) Annex Spanish Netherlands and Franche Comte 2) Take entire Spanish inheritance

Louis’s Plan  Use the small and middle-sized powers of Europe - these people were most dependent on foreign assistance – for example: Republicans in Holland against their prince Royalists in England against parliamentary opposition

“Balance of Power” Politics  Louis wanted to create a “universal monarchy” where one state could subordinate all others  To counter this possibility, the balance of power was used - power evenly distributed among states - use coalitions to restore equilibrium and balance - decisive amount of weight or power one state can hold in controlling the balance of power

Purpose: Preserve Sovereignty  Basic rule: ally (with weaker states) against any state threatening domination  Don’t ally with one that might become dominate – could become a puppet  Each state throws weight where it is most needed to enhance importance

Why was it effective in 17 th and 18 th century?  Great number of states (both large and small) capable of pursing an independent foreign policy  Alliances made with no thought to ideology or sympathies, especially after end of religious wars – they could freely choose or reject allies  Because of military technology, small states might be important military partners ex: Denmark: could provide strategic location Dutch Republic: could provide ships or money The Dutch will engineer balance of power politics against Louis

The Dutch Republic  Characteristics of the Dutch: - mostly bourgeois - only republicans in Europe - mostly wealthy - most important in international diplomacy and culture  Dutch had acquired their independence from Spain through diplomacy rather than actual fighting during Thirty Years’ War  In 17 th century brought intellectual, artistic, and commercial achievements unparalleled in Europe

Religious Toleration  Stimulated intellectual and commercial life  Early 17 th century: Dutch Calvinists divided - some favored a toned down doctrine of absolute and unconditional predestination; they found support in burgher classes and theologian Arminius  Calvinist synod met in 1618 to deal with Arminian heresy - orthodox sect won out - Arminians tolerated, Catholic minority granted rights, Jews welcomed, Mennonites found refuge

Dutch Shipping  By 1600: Dutch had 10,000 ships and controlled shipping in northern Europe throughout 17 th century  Accomplishments: - Got to Pacific by rounding Cape Horn (S. America) - East India Co. (1602): merchants replaced Portuguese in India and Far East; founded city of Batavia in Java; killed group of Englishmen in Spice Islands discouraging their return - Reached Japan in early 1600s – only western link there after Japanese dispelled others - Founded Manhattan Island in Dutch West India Co.: exploited riches of Portuguese and Spanish in America, founded colonies in Brazil, captured Cape of Good Hope in S. Africa from Portuguese (modern Afrikaner people)

Bank of Amsterdam  Founded in 1609 – Financial center of Europe until the French Revolution  Accepted mixed money: Solved problems of having money minted in other states and cities because of their uncertain value; they assessed gold and silver content  Minted gold florins: Became international money supply, acceptable everywhere  Deposits guaranteed by Dutch government: this attracted capital from all over Europe

Government  Republic government – did not meet all requirements of a state  High Mightinesses (Hooge Moogende) made up estates general  The 7 provinces each had an elected stadholder = executive - no stadholder for United Provinces as a whole - most princes elected same man as stadholder – usually from House of Orange - prince usually a feudal nobleman

 Politics was a seesaw between burghers and the princes of Orange to whom the country owed its military security - power of stadholder increased with threats of invasion; when calm, little power  Peace of Westphalia built confidence of the burghers  Constitutional Crisis: 1650 – stadholder William II died - no new stadholder elected for 22 years - time of decentralization; growth of burghers

William III of Orange Born 8 days after father’s death Reserved in lifestyle Spoke multiple languages Dutch Calvinist 1677: Married Mary Stuart (niece of English king)

Dutch Conflict with English  1651: English government passed Navigation Act - used to build colonial power; aimed against Dutch carrying trade - goods going into England and its dependencies must be on English ships - Dutch carried goods of others; English policy a threat to their economy  : Three wars between Dutch and English - England annexed New Amsterdam

Dutch Conflict with French  1667: Louis XIV claimed Spanish Netherlands and Franche- Comte by alleging certain rights of his Spanish wife – overran the Spanish Netherlands with his army  Dutch set mechanics of balance of power into motion – Spanish Netherlands served as buffer against France  They allied with the English  Dutch, English, Swedes formed Triple Alliance; forced Louis XIV to withdraw from Spanish Netherlands  1672: Louis XIV again crossed into Spanish Netherlands and occupied 3 of the 7 provinces

 Popular support rose for William of Orange (22 yrs old)  He was elected stadholder of 6 provinces; they voted to make stadholderate hereditary in the House of Orange  William attempted to consolidate power by putting down feudal liberties of the provinces, moving toward an absolute monarchy – but was unsuccessful  The United Provinces remained a decentralized patrician republic until 1795

 William resorted to a new manipulation of the balance of power to hold off Louis XIV  He formed an alliance with Denmark and Brandenburg and with the Austrian and Spanish Habsburgs  Louis was tired of war and signed Treaty of Nimwegen but it was at the expense of Spain and Holy Roman Empire - Louis took Franche-Comte and some towns in Flanders