Chapter Seven; Section Three Response to Crisis: Absolutism

King Louis XIV  Absolutism- A system in which a ruler holds total power.  The reign of King Louis XIV has long been regarded as the best example of absolutism in the seventh century.  Due to the young ages of prior monarchs, the government was left in the hands of Richelieu and Mazarin.  Richelieu took away Huguenots’ privileges while maintaining their religious rights.  He and Mazarin closely monitored the behavior of the nobles. Crushing rebellions and revolts before they gained any potential momentum.  Louis XIV became the sole ruler of France at the age of 23.  Gave himself the title of “Sun King” - Meaning he was the source of light for all people.  Absolutism- A system in which a ruler holds total power.  The reign of King Louis XIV has long been regarded as the best example of absolutism in the seventh century.  Due to the young ages of prior monarchs, the government was left in the hands of Richelieu and Mazarin.  Richelieu took away Huguenots’ privileges while maintaining their religious rights.  He and Mazarin closely monitored the behavior of the nobles. Crushing rebellions and revolts before they gained any potential momentum.  Louis XIV became the sole ruler of France at the age of 23.  Gave himself the title of “Sun King” - Meaning he was the source of light for all people.

King Louis XIV  Royal court (Versailles) served three main purposes:  It was the personal household of King Louis XIV.  Chief offices of the state were located there. Louis was able to monitor their behavior.  Powerful subjects were drawn to the Palace of Versailles to negotiate deals for themselves with King Louis XIV.  In hopes of controlling the government, Louis XIV would remove nobles and royal princes from the royal council but continue to keep them closely involved in the social activities within Versailles.  He maintained strict control over:  Foreign Policy  Catholic Church  Taxes  He had little influence over local politics but would use his wealth/power to gain support from the noble and local officials.  Royal court (Versailles) served three main purposes:  It was the personal household of King Louis XIV.  Chief offices of the state were located there. Louis was able to monitor their behavior.  Powerful subjects were drawn to the Palace of Versailles to negotiate deals for themselves with King Louis XIV.  In hopes of controlling the government, Louis XIV would remove nobles and royal princes from the royal council but continue to keep them closely involved in the social activities within Versailles.  He maintained strict control over:  Foreign Policy  Catholic Church  Taxes  He had little influence over local politics but would use his wealth/power to gain support from the noble and local officials.

King Louis XIV & the Church  Important for the monarchs to maintain harmony with the church.  He wanted to persuade the Huguenots to convert to Catholicism.  Louis ordered:  The destruction of Huguenot churches.  The closing of their schools.  Many Huguenots fled to England, the United States, and the German states.

The Economy and War  King Louis’ extreme spending on war, palaces, and maintaining his court created a financial strain on France.  Colbert - Controller General (financial advisor).  Colbert’s plan:  Decrease imports (raised tariffs)  Increase exports  Built railroads and canals  Created a merchant marine to carry French goods  King Louis’ extreme spending on war, palaces, and maintaining his court created a financial strain on France.  Colbert - Controller General (financial advisor).  Colbert’s plan:  Decrease imports (raised tariffs)  Increase exports  Built railroads and canals  Created a merchant marine to carry French goods  Policies onWar:  Created an army of over 400,000 (during war time).  Waged four wars during his reign.  Many nations formed alliances (coalitions) to hinder his dominance of Europe.  Due to his conflicts, he added to the territory of France.  He ascended a member of his own family to the Spanish Throne.

Prussia and Austria  Frederick William the Great laid the foundation for the Prussian State.  He built a large standing army. The fourth largest in Europe.  He created the General War Commissariat to:  Levy taxes  Oversee the army’s growth  Organization became an agency for local government.  It is through this agency that Frederick William controlled the state.  In 1701, His son Frederick III became King Frederick I of Prussia.  Frederick William the Great laid the foundation for the Prussian State.  He built a large standing army. The fourth largest in Europe.  He created the General War Commissariat to:  Levy taxes  Oversee the army’s growth  Organization became an agency for local government.  It is through this agency that Frederick William controlled the state.  In 1701, His son Frederick III became King Frederick I of Prussia.  The Austrian Hapsburgs played a significant role in European politics.  The Hapsburg lost the German Empire, but gained a new empire in eastern and southeastern Europe :  Core of this new empire were the traditional Austrian lands.  Present day Austria, Czech Republic, and Hungary.  After the defeat of the Turks in 1687, Austria took control of:  Hungary  Transylvania  Croatia  Slavonia (map on pg. 227)  Due to the various national groups, the Austrian Empire remained a collection of territories held together by the Hapsburg emperor:  He was the archduke of Austria, king of Bohemia, and king of Hungary.  Each area had its own laws and political life.  All areas wanted to serve the Hapsburgs.