1. Introduction to Absolutism French Absolutism
THE AGE OF ABSOLUTISM
Introduction to Absolutism
French Absolutism

2. Goals today Analyze the rise of Absolute Monarchs
Compare and Contrast monarchs during the Age of Absolutism to monarchs from Middle Ages
Explain the characteristics of an Absolute Monarch
Analyze primary sources relating to Absolutism

3. Do Now – You are KING! (Middle Ages – Religious Wars)
How would you respond to these situations?
You are crowed king/queen. Who crowns you?
Now that you are on the throne, what are some positive things that you will get?
How will you spend your newly found wealth?
OOPS!! You have gone over on your royal budget patronizing Renaissance Art. How will you raise more money?
One of your nobles is upset because they feel you are ignoring the problems in their land. What do you do?
WAR BREAKS OUT!!! The Catholic Church is asking for more troops. How will you raise them?
The ideas of the Reformation have spread into your kingdom. How do you deal the with influx of Protestant Ideas?
Your nation is under attack during the Thirty Years War. How do you raise an army? What happens if you lose?

4. Do Now….PART 2
If you had ABSOLUTE control of the school – what would you do?

5. Monarchs in Middle Ages vs. Modern Age
Modern Era
European Monarchs gets power from God (often crowned in churches)
Their power was limited by church, nobility, privileges of towns, cities
All are sources of authority that will limit a king’s power
More powerful in this period than middle ages
All political power from the throne
King could not be limited
Louis XIV is the poster boy for Absolutism
Legit because it is from God
God’s only agent on earth is the king and enjoys all of his power
Chaos of wars of religion and power vacuum (French Wars of Religion)

6. What is Absolutism?? Absolutism in Europe
Absolute Monarch: kings or queens who held all of the power within their states’ boundaries
Their goal was to control every aspect of society including religion
Most believed they had divine right: belief that God created the monarchy and that the monarch acted as God’s representative on earth.
An absolute monarch answered only to God, not to his or her subjects
Over the next few centuries, many absolute monarchs would appear in Europe
Decline of feudalism, rise of cities, growth of national kingdoms all helped to centralize authority
Rising middle class typically sided with the monarchs

7. What does it mean to be Absolute?
3 key components
Strong Central Government – no one can stand in your way
Strong military – Conquer and defend
Strong economy – create wealth to support to the country

9. Henry IV Bribed the French Nobility to go home
Centralized authority in crown
Reorganized taxation system to give more money to the crown
Expanded Power as a result of this
Assassinated in Succeed by son (Louis XIII) who was 11

10. Death of Henry

11. Louis XIII (13th) & Cardinal Richelieu

12. Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu
Louis was weak king
Richelieu essentially ran France
Architects of French Monarchy - continued the ideas of father
Used French military to dismantle castles of Huguenots and nobles
Increased the size of French Military - Nobles are not a threat anymore
Sought to unity religion, Restrict Protestant rights
Richelieu defeated Protestant Rebellion

13. Louis XIV (14th) King mostly associated with absolute monarchy
Built on the foundations of Henry IV and Louis XIII
Completed the progress of centralized authority

14. Early Years 1643 - Louis took the throne at the age of 5
Mother, Cardinal Mazarin ruled as his regents until he came of age
Noble Revolution (Fronde Revolts)
Royal Family fled Paris - Louis never forgot this disgrace
The noble’s rebellion failed for 3 reasons
They distrusted each other
The government used violent repression
Peasants and townspeople grew weary of fighting

15. The Sun King’s Grand Style
A Life of Luxury
Louis lives very well, with every meal a feast.
Louis Controls the Nobility
Louis keeps nobles at palace to increase his power over them.
Builds magnificent palace at Versailles
Patronage of the Arts
Versailles is a center of arts during reign of Louis XIV
Purpose of the arts is to glorify Louis

16. Louis’ Power Louis took total control at age 22
He excluded the nobles from his councils to strengthen his own power
Increased the power of the intendants, or government agents, who collected taxes and administered justice
Louis made the nobles dependent on him by making them live with him in the palace
Wanted to make France self-sufficient (Mercantilism: wealth = power) to prevent wealth from leaving France so they manufactured everything needed in France

17. Palace of Versailles Grandest royal residence in Europe
Removed himself from Parisian Mob
Consumed all of the royal revenue
Maintenance consumed 25 percent of royal revenue
Versailles occupied the French Nobles - distracted them with fancy stuff
Free to rule France

18. The Life of an Absolute Monarch

19. Versailles Statistics
2,000 acres of grounds
12 miles of roads
27 miles of trellises
200,000 trees
210,000 flowers planted every year
80 miles of rows of trees
55 acres surface area of the Grand Canal
12 miles of enclosing walls
50 fountains and 620 fountain nozzles
21 miles of water conduits
3,600 cubic meters per hour: water consumed
26 acres of roof
51,210 square meters of floors
2,153 windows
700 rooms
67 staircases
6,000 paintings
1,500 drawings and 15,000 engravings
2,100 sculptures
5,000 items of furniture and objects d'art
150 varieties of apple and peach trees in the Vegetable Garden

20. Versailles Today

21. Palais de Versailles

22. Palais de Versailles

23. Versailles Palace, Park Side

24. Garden View of Versailles

25. Chateau de Versailles

26. The Orangery

27. Fountains, Fountains, and More Fountains!

28. And More Fountains!

29. And More Fountains!

30. And Even More Fountains!!!

31. Hall of Mirrors

34. The King’s Bed
The Queen’s Bed

35. Louis XIV Furniture

36. Military Power
France had 20 million people (more than England or the Dutch)
The French army was far ahead of other states’ in size, training, and weaponry

37. Louis Fights Disastrous Wars
Attempts to Expand France’s Boundaries
Louis fights wars in the 1660s and 1670s to expand France.
1667-Invades Spanish Netherlands.
1672-Invades Dutch Netherlands.
In 1680s, many countries unite against him in League of Augsburg
France is weakened by poor harvests, warfare, and high taxes.
War of Spanish Succession
War of Spanish Succession begins in 1701
This war attempts to prevent the union of the French and Spanish throne.
War ends in 1714; France and Spain lose some possessions.

38. Louis’ Legacy
When Louis died in his bed in 1715, people rejoiced in France
He had left France a very powerful state
France ranked #1 in Europe in art, literature, and statesmanship
France was the military leader of Europe
Due to warfare and the palace at Versailles, France was deeply in debt
Resentment over the tax burden of the poor was plague his heirs and lead to revolution

39. What are the Pros and Cons of an Absolute Monarch?

40. Possible answers Benefit: Consistent leadership is good for business
Drawback: Decision-making depends on the whims of a single person
Benefit: The people might gain protection
Drawback: people may be punished if their religion differs from the monarch
Benefit: The people may gain pride in their country

41. Summary of Absolute Monarchy
Achievements – weakened the nobles, provided strong central government, generally furthered growth of nation states
Weaknesses – nation’s welfare depended on one person, sacrificed national well-being for personal or family interests, led nations into costly wars, disregarded the rights of the common people