1. The Grand Monarque and the Balance of Power
Section 4.17

2. Questions to Consider
What observation may be made about the significance of western Europe in the development of modern civilization since about 1650?
What general statements may be made about the nature of Louis’ XIV rule in France and about the role of France in European affairs during his reign?
Why did Louis (14)’s foreign policy arouse the opposition of the rest of Europe?
Explain the nature of the balance of power that was employed against Louis. Of what broad significance has the balance of power concept been in diplomatic history?

3. Europe, 1648

4. Introduction Western World 1650 Encompassed in 500 mile area
centered on Paris
What makes it Western?
secular
modern natural science
capitalism
modern state
parliamentary government
democratic ideas
machine industry
earth’s principal center of cultural diffusion

5. Why was it centered in Dutch, English, and French territories?
Italian Renaissance fading out
Religious wars end in 1648
HRE in ruins
Spain in decline
Commercial Revolution generating wealthy, educated class

6. Why did France rise in status?
Dutch= small population
England= Civil Wars ( )
Charles I
James I
James II
Oliver Cromwell
Restoration
Glorious Revolution
France
Large population (19 Million)
Resources
Succession of good rulers
Henry IV
(Louis XIII) Richelieu
Louis XIV

7. The Sun King Long ‘stable’ reign Comes to power in 1643 at age 5
reigns for 72 years (1715)
took personal direction in 1661 at age 23
Sun King
Grand Monarque
More than a figurehead
takes over the institutions created by Richelieu

8. The Absolutist Paradigm
Policies, methods of government, war, diplomacy become models for others to follow
French language, clothing, thought, architecture, cooking etiquette are standard for Europe
Makes France the strongest country in Europe

9. Why is Spain declining so rapidly?
Charles II comes to the throne in 1665
Weak leadership!!!!!
“The Bewitched”
Mandibular prognathism (Hapsburg Jaw)
genetic disorder where the lower jaw outgrows the upper
tongue was enlarged and he could barley be understood

10. Why is Spain declining so rapidly?
Acromegaly- pituitary gland disorder
Causes excessive growth in hands, feet, jaw, …
Imbecilic product of generations of inbreeding
Infertility (well-known)
On the throne until 1700
Spain
What Turkey was later called “sick man of Europe”
Fate of Spain and its colonial holdings is uncertain

11. Louis XIV and expansion
Marries Charles II’s sister
uses his position to advance France’s borders
Annex Spanish Netherlands, Franche Comte`, and Burgundy
Further weakens HRE

12. Louis XIV and expansion
Moves to secure Spain under his rule
to achieve this he takes various interests into his pay
royalists in England
including Charles II of England
republicans in Netherlands
Potential for universal monarchy under throne of France is increasing
Response to universal monarchy is the use of balance of power

13. Balance of Power condition of equilibrium in power distribution
power is distributed among many separate states
if one state grows too powerful, the others form a coalition against it
the coalition becomes the “balance”
holding the balance of power refers to the power one state may bring to bear by
foreign policy become the pursuit of tipping the balance preserving the independence of action to the utmost

14. Balance of Power
the basic rule was to form alliances against any state threatening domination and to maintain the balance
objective was preserving sovereignty rather than peace
had little to do with ideologies or sympathies (allies supported or rejected)
balance model was effective during period of large number of small and medium sized states
later will become downfall of Europe (WWI)
Key players of the period are Louis XIV and William of Orange (William III) of the Dutch
Key event of the period is the War of the Spanish Succession