Absolutism and Constitutionalism in Western Europe, 1589-1715

Absolutism and Constitutionalism in Western Europe, 1589-1715 McKay Chapter 16 Kagen Chapter 13

I. Seventeenth Century Crisis and Rebuilding Focus Question: What were the common crises and achievements of the 17th Century States? A. Economic and Demographic Crisis 1. 17th century: Rural was the norm—peasant villages 2. move because of war, famine, pilgrimage 3. independent farmers were leaders in village: owned land, equipment, hired workers, communicated with nobles

4. Bread was primary element of the diet—rich ate white bread, poor ate brown bread a. fees for grinding grain b. fees for use of village ovens c. soups were standard—little meat 5. Rural society lived on edge of subsistence a. threatened by scarcity and famine b. in 17th cent colder and wetter climate led to food shortages, higher prices, deaths and low birth-rates c. industry suffered—woolen textile production was down, wages stagnated, unemployment soared

6. Peasants and the Urban Poor first to suffer from bad harvests + economic depression a. bread riots—”just price” b. women often took the lead in these riots B. 17th Century State-Building: Common Obstacles and Achievements 1. Differences and Similarities a. “absolutist” Governments of Fr, Sp, Central Europe, and Russia gathered all power under their personal control b. Constitutionally limited Governments in England and Holland had to respect laws passed by representative bodies

B.1.c. Both styles had to protect and expand their frontiers, raise new taxes, and consolidate state control 2. Obstacles to increasing authority of Kings a. roads and limited transportation issues b. Cultural and linguistic differences c. privileged groups who shared in authority and its benefits 1) the nobles 2) the church 3) legislative bodies 4) guilds and town councils

B.3. 4 achievements in new central control a. greater taxation 1) new or higher taxes 2) supported by bureaucracy b. growth in armed forces c. more efficient bureaucracies 1) permitted better administration and communication 2) caused part of need for new taxes d. increased ability to compel obedience 1) centralized court system 2) state law touches all people

C. Warfare and the Growth of Army Size 1. Driving force of 17th cent state-building was war 2. monarchs took control of recruiting and maintaining armies in peace and wartime 3. Officers were expected to be loyal to the monarch 4. new techniques and training led to more professional standards 5. the Size of the army increased a. in France—from 125,000 in 1630 to 340,000 by 1688

C.5.b. large armies encouraged monarchs to be aggressive in their international policies c. noble officers led their men into battle d. nobles had to purchase their positions in the army and supply horses, food, uniforms, and weapons for their troops e. not until the 1760s did the French Govt assume the costs of the army f. the British focused on building their navy 6. the loyalty, professionalism, and size of the French army enabled Louis XIV to gain enormous power

D. Popular Political Action 1. Popular revolts a. increased taxes and warfare led to most revolts b. Eng, Fr, Sp, Port, Italy all had frequent revolts c. 1647 revolt in Palermo about food shortages…government subsidized the price of bread…too many needy… leaders decided to lighten the loaf rather than rise the price. Women revolted d. rebels demanded fair prices, reduction of taxes, and participation in local govt

D.2. Urban disorders in France were frequent a. Dijon (1630), Bordeaux (1635), Montpellier (1645), Lyons (1667) b. deep popular anger, violence, attempt to punish the royal outsiders— royal officials c. as king’s power grew, city governments became more a part of national government and some of these revolts died down

II. Absolutism in France and Spain Focus Question: To what extent did French and Spanish monarchs succeed in creating absolute monarchies? A. The Foundations of Absolutism: Henry IV, Sully, and Richelieu 1. Henry IV(r.1589-1610) founder of the Bourbon Dynasty a. Civil war and poor harvests left Fr in trouble b. all wanted peace, order, and stability c. Henry promised “a chicken in every pot”

A.1.d. Henry lowered taxes on the peasants and introduced the “paulette”—a fee royal officials paid yearly to make their job hereditary e. Duke of Sully—H4 chief minister, combined indirect taxes and leased their collection f. revenues increased because of revival of trade g. Henry IV improved roads and canals h. issued Edict of Nantes allowing Protestants the right to worship i. Henry was murdered in 1610

A.2. Marie de Medici ruled for Louis XIII(r. 1610-1643) 3. Armand Jean du Plessis—Cardinal Richelieu—appointed head minister--1628 a. Richelieu influenced Louis XIII to build up the monarchy and subordinate all others b. administrative system strengthened Monarchy 1) intendants—royal commissioners recruited men for the army, collected taxes, presided over local courts, regulated economic activities

A.3. b.2) Intendants 3 purposes: a) enforce royal orders b) undermine the regional nobles c) Inform king of regional issues 3)Noblesse de robe—granted title— New Nobles of Government c. One People/One Faith reestablished by Cardinal R as anti-Huguenots 1) focus on La Rochelle—Calvinist stronghold in the Atlantic coastal region 2) 1628 fall of La Rochelle to king’s forces reduced power of Huguenot nobles

A.4. Foreign Policy of Richelieu a. aimed at reducing the influence of the Hapsburgs b. 1631 Treaty with Gustavus Adolphus of Lutheran King of Sweden—promise French support against Hapsburgs in the 30yrs War 5. Richelieu introduced “raison d’état” to French politics: “Where the interests of the state are concerned, God absolves actions which, if privately committed, would be a crime.” (Richelieu)

A.6. Louis XIV early years a. Cardinal J. Mazarin(1602-1661)became advisor to Louis XIV when Louis came to the throne. 1) L14 was helped by his mother: Queen Anne of Austria 2) Mazarin continued Richelieu’s government policies b. The Fronde(1648-1653) 1)caused by war with Spain and costs 2) began among the robe nobility in Paris because of fees—sparked a riot 3)2nd stage added sword nobles to fight

A.6.b.4) nobles angered by increasing power of Central govt. 5) riots broke out in the provinces 6) 1651 Louis XIV took the throne himself c. Results of the Fronde: 1) king had to compromise with the nobles 2) France was hoping for peace and a strong Monarch B. Louis XIV and Absolutism 1. L14 reigned 1643-1715, longest in Europe --France was at peak of absolutism

Images of Louis XIV

B.2. Absolutism defined a. The “theoretical subordination of all other elements of a country’s power structure to the crown” b. The ruler gave account of decisions to no one. c. Fully depends on ruler’s personality and intelligence d. Leader not seen as a private person, but a public personage—all the state is in “him”.

B.3. The Sun King a. educated in Spanish, Italian, + French b. studied history and geography c. devote Catholic 1) believed in Divine Right of Kings— King is answerable to God alone— 2)obey God’s laws and rule for the good of the people d. Worked hard and long days 1) used intendants 2) councils of State—many nobles 3) professional bureaucrats--bourgeois

B.4. Limit the power of the Nobles a. L14 never called the Estates General b. nobles had no means of united expression or action c. L14 also used spying and terror 5. Religion was a tool of National unity a. Revoked Edict of Nantes—1685 b. new law ordered destruction of Huguenot churches, closing of schools, the Catholic baptism of Huguenots, and exile of Huguenot pastors who refused to convert to RCC

B. 5.c. result was loss of loyal and industrious subjects d. Louis risked this result because he saw religion as a political question… “one king, one law, one faith”—many supported this policy 6. Louis’ personal hold on Power a. L14 excluded many great nobles from his councils b. ruthless pursuit of religious unity c. L14 did have some power limits—and needed the cooperation of his nobles d. absolute monarchy or not?

C. Financial and Economic Management Under Louis XIV: Colbert 1. Jean-Baptiste Colbert (1619-1683) a. controller general of finances b. managed royal administration and military finances c. central principle: the wealth and economy of France should serve the state d. applied Mercantilism to France

C.2. Mercantilism a. collection of gov’t policies to regulate the economic activities by and for the state b. Nation’s wealth based on gold supply c. exports must exceed imports d. a country should be self-sufficient 3. Colbert attempted to make Fr self-suff a. supported old industries + created new b. system of state inspection and regulation to keep quality c. abolished domestic tariffs and raised foreign tariffs

C.4. Colbert created a merchant marine to transport French goods a. bonuses to Fr ship-owners and builders b. est a maritime conscription c. created academies to train sailors 5. Colbert wanted to make Canada part of the French empire a. sent 4000 peasants to Canada to populate Quebec. b. Marquette and Joliet sailed down Mississippi River to claim land for France c. La Salle explored and claimed “Louisiana” (1684)

C.6. Tax collection a. Colbert’s most pressing concern b. expansion of army/navy, costs of bureaucracy, costs of life at court c. some provincial estates negotiated taxes with the king d. nobility and clergy were exempt e. Colbert raised revenues by cracking down on inefficiencies and corruption f. constant pressure of wars after Colbert’s death undid much of his work.

D. Louis XIV’s Wars 1. State of near constant war a. L14 fought for 33 of 54 years of reign b. le Tellier—secretary of State for war 1) gained title Marquis de Louvois 2) created a professional army 3) recruited troops with dragooning, conscription, and lottery 4) uniforms and weapons were standardized 2. L14 goal was to expand France to its “natural” borders and secure homefront

D.3. Invasion of the Netherlands 1667—invade Flanders, and Franche-Comté—L14 acquired 12 towns. 4. 1671 L14 invaded Holland—fighting lasted 6 years, involved HRE and Spain. L14 gained a few Flemish towns and all of Franche-Comté 5. 1681 L14 seized Strasbourg and invaded Lorraine. 6. L14 Wars inspired international coalitions against him—added to financial problems

D. 7. The War of Spanish Succession (1701- 1713) a. childless King Charles II of Spain died in 1700 led to struggle of succession b. Philip of Anjou, Louis XIV grandson, was bequeathed the Spanish crown in C2 will c. Former treaty was to allow Fr and HRE to divide property since both related to king—L14 broke that treaty by allowing Phil to take the throne. d. Grand Alliance formed: Eng, Dutch, Aus, and Prussians against Louis XIV e. End with Peace of Utrecht 1713

D.8. Peace of Utrecht had international consequences a. France lost most of it’s holdings in the Americas b. represented a balance of power principle setting limits on one country’s power c. Vastly expanded English Empire d. left France exhausted and on the brink of bankruptcy. 9. Louis XIV died in 1715

E. The Decline of Absolutist Spain in the 17th C 1. Spanish Absolutism had preceded that of France a. est a permanent bureaucracy b. standing army c. national taxes d. based on silver bullion from Peru e. Spanish gold and silver, armies, and glory dominated Europe in the 16th C 2. Catholic Orthodoxy in Spain *Philip III 1609 expelled all converted Muslims—loss of skilled workers + tradesmen

E.3. Agricultural crisis and Population decline in 1715 as well as loss of artisans, merchants, failure to invest in productive business, and intellectual isolation, reduced Spanish influence 4. Dutch and English began to trade with Spanish colonies 5. Colonies developed local industries 6. Spanish trade fell 60% with colonies 7. Spanish expenses exceeded income 8. inflation soared with gold and silver from New World 9. rents rose, food production fell.

E. 10. in 1640 Spain faced revolts 11. in 1701 fought the War of Spanish Suc. 12. Spanish absolutism had been built on slaved produced gold and silver. When the supplies decreased, power declined… 13. In Don Quixote Miguel de Cervantes explores the ideals of military glory in an “idealistic but impractical” Spain. Too many dreams and not enough reality… F. Colonial Administration 1. Spain ruled a vast empire in America

F.2. New World Territories divided into 4 Viceroyalties—administrative districts a. New Spain—Mexico, Central America, and California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas—capital at Mexico City b. Peru—originally all the lands in continental South America, later Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and Ecuador—capital at Lima c. New Granada—Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, and Ecuador—capital at Bogotá

F.2.d. La Plata—Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, capital at Buenos Aires 3. The Viceroy(governor) had broad military and civil authority—direct representative of the sovereign 4. presided over the audiencia—judges that were the advisory council and supreme ct. 5. later kings added intendants—responsible to king not the viceroy 6. Quinto—merchantilist principle that colonies existed to benefit the monarch—1/5 of all gold and silver went to king

F. 7. Portuguese governed Brazil a. with corregidores—local officials with judicial and military power, b. mercantilist policies, c. use of slave labor--cultivation of coffee and cotton d. unique feature was blend of Indian, White, and Black cultures

III. Culture of Absolutism Focus Question: What cultural forms flourished under absolutist governments? A. Baroque Art and Music 1. Baroque a. the art of the Counter-Reformation 1) growth of intensely emotional, exuberant art 2) art to appeal to the senses and touch the souls while proclaiming the power and confidence of the RCC 3) drama, motion, ceaseless striving

A.2. started in Italy spread to Spain, Austria, Germany, and Poland a. Peter Paul Rubens— 1) finest example of baroque painters, Flanders, rich, colorful style, animated figures and melodramatic contrasts, monumental size 2) successful, devout Catholic, high social status b. In Music, many Protestants excelled 1) J.S.Bach—organist and Choirmaster organ music full of emotion, Lutheran

A.2.d.2) Handel, Mendelssohn also music B. Court Culture in 17th Century 1. looked to Versailles and France for trends a. French became the common language of the European Elite b. cultural and political influences 2. Versailles Palace a. Versailles was the palace built to house all the nobles of France! 1624 Le Notre redesigned the “hunting lodge” of Louis XIII b. Architects were Le Vau, Hardouin- Mansard—began 1662—until 1690

Versailles: a symbol for the wealth and power of France in the late 17th Century. Later a symbol of oppression.

Louis XIV built the Chateau of Versailles to house and impress his nobles.

c. Le Notre did the gardens and landscaping d. in 1685 36000men and 6000 horses worked on Versailles e. cost France 200,000,000 francs by 1690 or about $500million! f. sense of grandeur, vastness, and elegance g. gigantic Hall of Mirrors became the envy of all of Europe and a great intimidation factor for the French

B.3. 1682 the French Court moved to Versailles—art and architecture were tools of L14’s power a. the palace was the summit of political, social, and cultural life b. Versailles was a mirror of French greatness to the world c. strict system of court etiquette—king controlled resources and privileges-- Favors d. Patronage flowed from the court to the provinces—cooperation with nobles

B.4. Military under war ministers a. Le Tellier and Marquis de Louvois b. ranks established by a hierarchy of command like a modern army c. financed by taxes collected by intendants d. New use of muskets led to required drills and marching: discipline and unit cohesion, uniforms and standardized equipment f. France offered a model army adopted and adapted by many other countries

B.5. Women at Court a. women worked patronage system b. king’s wife, mistresses, and other female relatives used rank to get patronage for their relatives c. recommended people for honors, advocated policy, and brokered alliances d. brought family connections with marriage e. Louis XIV mistress Madame de Maintenon was able to make or break someone’s power at court

C. French Classicism 1. Culture is a central element of French national pride even today a. The French Academy est by Richelieu in 1635—focused on standardizing French b. academy still open today 2. Art and Lit of Louis XIV time is French Classicism a. imitated the subject and style of ancient classical literature b. qualities of discipline, balance, and restraint—movement away fr Baroque

C.3. Royal Patronage a. L14 loved ballet and the arts b. Music and theater were at court functions c. Jean-Baptiste Lully—orchestral works, court ballet, and operas d. harpsichord and organ pieces e. L14 loved the stage 1) Molière was a favorite 2) Tartuffe—satire of religious hypocrite 3) made Bourgeoisie the butt of his plays

C.4. French culture grew in international prestige—French replaced Latin as the language of scholarship—France inspired cosmopolitan European culture. IV. Constitutionalism Focus Question: What is constitutionalism and how did this form of government emerge in England and the Dutch Republic? A. Constitutionalism 1. the limitation of government by law 2. a balance between the authority and power of the government and the rights and liberties of the subjects

Absolutism and Constitutionalism in Western Europe, 1589-1715