Absolutism notes

French Absolutism

By 1589, many problems in France
Poverty and starvation
Weak government
Economic Depression
Civil War
Protestant/Catholic fighting
Henry IV promises a “chicken in every pot”
Edict of Nantes gives Protestants rights
Nobles taxed
With Sully, builds roads and opens trade

Cardinal Richelieu 1585-1642

Became First Minister of the French crown and influenced Louis XIII
Strengthened central government
Limited nobles
Executions
Created 32 “generalities” where each area's leader reported to the King
Limited the power of Protestant Huguenots
Raison d'etat: It's okay to break the law if it's good for the country (536)
Fronde - “slingshot”
Civil wars in France 1648-1653
Richelieu dies, Louis XIV in power
Citizens protested tax collection, limits on rights
Nobles wanted more power
Winning a war against Spain, people thought taxes would disappear

Results

Louis XIV kept elite support by giving back some power
Louis XIV became more “absolutist” to protect himself. “The Sun King”
Louis XIV - 1645-1715
Controlled social classes through collaboration and manipulation
Better supporters got more access to the throne
Some middle class leaders made influential
Created a court palace at Versailles to show off wealth and gain autonomy
Actually, he overspent
Bankruptcy would haunt the monarchy later
Spies everywhere
Never called a meeting of the Estates General
Under Louis XIV, most taxes were paid by the “3rd Estate” - the poor
1st Estate – clergy
2nd Estate – nobles
4th Estate – press
5th Estate – anyone else
Merchantilism – regulation of the economy to benefit the state
Example: colonies exist for the benefit of the mother country
Amount of gold a nation had determined wealth
Jean-Baptiste Colbert used merchantilism to expand and gain wealth for France
Manufacturing and colonies flourished
While poor, the poor had new opportunities
Edict of Nantes revoked
Many Huguenots left France or converted
Louis XIV kept France in wars most of the time, constantly attacking weaker Germany and competing with Britain for colonies
Peace of Utrecht, 1713 – promoted a European “Balance of Power”

Absolutism in Spain

By 1600, many problems
Population decline, sometimes forced (Jews and Muslims)
Increased competition from the Dutch, French, and British
Trade with colonies decreased
Agricultural problems
Growing national debt
Small middle class
Ineffective government, weak Habsburg kings, and wars made Spain even weaker

Absolutism in England

Queen Elizabeth I was extremely powerful and influential
After her death, civil war and power struggles caused people to question absolute rule
King James succeeded Elizabeth and believed in Divine Right. He was unpopular.
Not as good as Elizabeth
House of Commons would not give up power
Economy was doing well without him, but James created more debt
Charles I tried to govern without government

English Civil War 1642-1649

Who should have sovereignty: the King or the Parliament?
Charles I beheaded in 1649. Republican government was established
Oliver Cromwell controlled army, making him the de facto leader. “Lord Protector”
Got rid of constitution, ruled by force
Tolerant of most Protestants
Used merchantilist ideas to promote economy
After Cromwell's death, England brought back the monarchy

English Monarchy Returns

Charles II and brother James II tried to work closely with Parliament
Royalty was required to consult with other people and allow Parliament to meet
Charles did not get the revenue he wanted, so he made a secret agreement with France
Free money! for relaxing laws against Catholics
Charles had to convert to Catholicism
Violation of Test Act. Protestants feared a secret plot against them; Protestant bishops were thrown in prison

Glorious Revolution 1688-9

King James II replaced with William and Mary of Scotland
Had to sign English Bill of Rights
Crown could not suspend laws
End of absolutism
Independent judges
Right to bear arms (Protestants only)
Freedom of religion (Protestants only)
John Locke's “Second Treatise of Civil Government” (1690) said government should protect “live, liberty, and property”

Netherlands

Dutch provinces won independence from a weakened Spain in 1648
“Golden Age of the Netherlands”
Constitutionalism and republicanism
Freedom of the press
Division of powers: executives vs. legislature
Government run by merchants and bankers allowed freedom to invest and speculate
Religious toleration
Seafaring innovation and trade monopolies
Joint Stock Companies – Dutch East India Co.

Chapter 17

Absolutism in Eastern Europe
Loss of religious freedoms
Continuous warfare and political upheaval
Loss of political and economic power
Nobility became more powerful and entrenched
Serfdom – farmers in Eastern Europe were bound to the lands they farm
Paid taxes in crops
Could not leave without permission
Later, hereditary subjugation by feudal lords
Lords controlled more lands and were often more powerful than kings

Places that don't exist anymore

Prussia
Bohemian Estates
Holy Roman Empire
Ottoman Empire
Mongol Empire
Saxony
Transylvania
Wallachia
Silesia
Brandenburg
Moravia

-Many areas loosely held by the Holy Roman Empire
-Many areas run by the Austrian Habsburgs
-Weak sovereignty