Chapter 16 Part 2 Absolutism

Jean Baptiste Colbert (1661-1683) French Finance minister under Louis XIV Was Mr. Mercantilism Continued construction of roads and canals Granted government-supported monopolies in certain industries Cracked down on guilds Reduced internal tariffs that hindered internal trade

Colbert Organized French trading companies to encourage overseas trade: French East India Co. French West India Co. French mercantilism reached its height under the direction of Colbert

By 1683 France was Europe’s leading industrial country! Silk, tapestries, mirrors, lace-making, foundaries for firearms Colbert’s most impressive contribution: created the French merchant marine

Problems with French Mercantilism The terrible conditions of the peasants (being taxed to death) caused many to leave the country Too much $ spent on a huge army and not enough $ spent on the navy So…France will lose naval wars to England So many wars during Louis XIV’s reign drained the treasury

Louis XIV’s Wars 1667-68 The War f the Dutch Devolution 1672-78 Second Dutch War 1688-97 War of the League of Augsburg 1701-1713 War of the Spanish Succession

Wars will be initially successful BUT will be ruinous to the French economy France will develop the modern professional army A Balance of Power system emerged in Europe: no single country will be allowed to dominate Europe. A coalition of other countries will form to prevent one country from dominating

NOTE William of Orange (the Dutch Stadtholder and later William III of England…William and Mary fame) was the most important person in stopping Louis XIV’s ambitions

War of the Dutch Devolution 1667 Louis XIV invaded the Spanish Netherlands (Belgium) without declaring war France gained 12 fortified towns on the border of the Spanish Netherlands but gave up Burgundy

1672-78 The Second Dutch War Louis invaded the southern Netherlands (as revenge for the Dutch interfering in previous war on Belgium) 1678-79 The Peace of Nijmegan: France took Burgundy back from Spain as well as some Flemish towns

1688-97 War of the League of Augsburg 1686 The League of Augsburg was formed by the HRE, Spain, the Dutch Republic, Sweden, Bavaria, Saxony This was in response to yet another French invasion in 1683 The Coalition is proof of the emergence of a Balance of Power philosophy in Europe

After the start of the war William of Orange became King of England and brought England into the war against France Began the Second 100 Years’ War England and France will fight against each other from 1689-1815 with few years of peace in the mix The war ended with the status quo as it was before the war

The War of the Spanish Succession 1701-13 Charles II (the Spanish Hapsburg King) left the Spanish throne to Louis XIV’s grandson and heir! Other European powers will form a coalition: the Grand Alliance to thwart a mega power emerging in Europe

The Grand Alliance v Spain and France The Grand Alliance: England, the Dutch Republic, the HRE, Brandenburg, Portugal, Savoy 1704 Battle of Blenheim: a turning point signaling one French defeat after another John Churchill (ancestor of Winston) aka the Duke of Marlborough, defeated French forces with the English army and the help of Savoy

The Treaty of Utrecht 1713 Maintained the balance of power in Europe Ended the expansionism of Louis XIV The Brits were the big winners Spain lost territory and the Asiento to the Brits Spain gave up Gibraltar and Minorca to the Brits AND the Brits won the right to send one ship a year to trade in Spain’s New World territories

The Treaty of Utrecht The Spanish Netherlands (Belgium) was given to Austria (the HRE) The Netherlands gained some land on the French border as a buffer Recognition of the kings of Savoy (Sardinia) and Brandenburg (Prussia) Louis XIV’s grandson WAS able to take the Spanish throne BUT could not rule France too. The Spanish and French thrones would NOT be combined

Results of Louis XIV’s wars: Destroyed the French economy (bankrupted France) The debt was shouldered by the Bourgeoisie 20% of French subjects died Big time social and financial tensions

Spain Experienced its Golden Age in the 16th Century Ferdinand and Isabella began to centralize after their marriage in 1469 The basis for absolutism was formed by Charles V and his son, Philip II Philip II (1556-1598) ruled Spain at its height of power

Madrid was the Capital Philip built the Escorial to demonstrate his awesome power (Baroque) Philip fostered numerous court rituals to reinforce his power Developed a command economy Continued the inquisition

Spanish Decline in the 17th Century Shrinking population: 1550: 7.5 million 1660: 5.5 million The Spanish economy was hurt by the loss of its middle class (Jews and Moors)

The Decline of the Spanish Economy Between 1594 and 1680 Spain had to repudiate its debts several times Treasury was bankrupt Spanish trade with its colonies fell by 60% between 1610 and 1660 (largely due to interference by English and Dutch) National taxes hit peasants hard Many left the country side for the city Resulted in decreased food production and rising prices

Spain’s Decline Inflation (from the price Revolution) hurt domestic industries that were not able to export goods A poor work ethic did not help: Noble titles sometimes purchased and provided tax exemptions for the wealthy Capitalism was not prevalent

Political and Military Decline Although the defeat in the War of the Spanish Armada seemed to be the beginning of the end, Spain was still the most powerful nation into the 17th century Poor leadership of the three kings following Philip II Philip III, Philip IV, Charles II all worse than the one before

Spain’s Defeat in the War of the Spanish Succession Was disastrous Spain lost the Spanish Netherlands to the Austrian Hapsburgs By 1640 Portugal (ruled for a time by Spain) established its independence

The Treaty of the Pyrenees 1659 Meant the end of Spain as a great power War between Spain and France continued for 11 years after the end of the Thirty Years’ War By 1700 Spain had only 8 ships in its navy Its army was mostly mercenary Spain lost most of its European possessions in the Treaty of Utrecht