Source of Pictures and Source of Pictures and Template: Ms. Pojer, New YorkTemplate: Ms. Pojer, New York

Source of Pictures and Source of Pictures and Template: Ms. Pojer, New YorkTemplate: Ms. Pojer, New York

Sovereignty Defined

What does “sovereignty” mean? – supreme authority within a territory – e.g., Some argue that the Greek government is no

longer sovereign because the European Union’s requirements that it adopt difficult measures to lower its debt.

How is this achieved?– Monopoly over the instruments of justice and the

use of force within clearly defined territories.

Absolutist Defined

What does “absolutist” mean?– Sovereignty is embodied in the person of the ruler.

• E.g., Louis XIV’s “I am the state.”

– Often claimed to rule by divine right, but were constrained by some laws.

• “Though kings were a race apart, they could not do as they pleased; they had to obey God’s laws and rule for the good of the people.”

• Competing bodies (Estates General, Parlement of Paris).

What distinguishes “new” monarchs from “absolute” monarchs?

15th C “New” Monarchs Created more efficient bureaucracies that enabled

the “New Monarchs” to begin centralizing control of their realms

Use of mercenary armies and creation of standing armies

Gunpowder, muskets and cannon increased the vulnerability of noble armies and their knights.

Reduced power of nobles through taxation and confiscation of land from uncooperative nobles.

Many nobles pledged support of king in return for titles and offices and served in the royal court or as royal officials. But, also increased the political influence of the bourgeoisie (at

the expense of the nobility) in exchange for

revenue. Reduced political power of the clergy Increased public (national) debt by taking out loans

from merchant-bankers.

17th C “Absolute” Monarchs Derived from traditional assumption of power (e.g.

heirs to the throne), belief in “divine right of kings”), and not subordinate to national assemblies.

Maintained large standing armies. Monarchs no longer relied on mercenary or noble armies.

Employed secret police to weaken political opponents, but left alone those who didn’t openly oppose state.

In West, nobility was effectively brought under control, but could still at times hinder absolute monarchs from completely having their way.

Bureaucracies composed of career officials appointed by and solely accountable to king. Often rising members of the bourgeoisie or new nobility (“nobility of the robe” who purchased their titles from the monarchy).

Catholic monarchs gained control of the Roman Catholic Church in their countries.

Critical Thinking . . .

Is Henry VIII a “new” monarch or an “absolute” monarch? Justify your answer.

Is Elizabeth a “new” monarch or an “absolute” monarch? Justify your answer.

Is Philip II a “new” monarch” or an “absolute” monarch? Justify your answer.

Is Henry IV a “new” monarch or an “absolute” monarch?

Absolutist Techniques

1. Control competing rivals, institutions and interest groups in their territories.

2. Regulate religious groups.

3. Abolish feudal and early modern liberties.

4. Secure cooperation of old rival: nobility.

5. Create new state bureaucracy to serve king. Bureaucrats paid a salary and not supposed to use position for private gain.

6. This bureaucracy regulated the economic life of country in the king’s interest by raising taxes and/or inventing new sources of revenue.

7. Maintained permanent standing armies.

8. Glorification of the state.

9. Use of war and an expansionist foreign policy to divert from domestic problems.

“Paris is worth a Mass”“A Chicken in Every Pot”

Henry IV Sully

No war, lower taxes on peasants, lease tax collection to financiers, subsidize trading company, and highway system.

“Where the interests of the state are concerned, God absolves actions, which if privately committed, would be a crime.”

Louis XIII

Cardinal Richelieu

Richelieu’s goal: total subordination of all groups to French monarchy Direct action reducing noble power, best illustrated by his demolition of

feudal castles and beheading of Montmorency for involvement in revolt.

Recruited a new class – intendants – loyal only to king, from the “judicial nobility” to help govern districts through army recruitment, tax collection, legal enforcement, and “big brother” to local nobility.

Betrayed Edict of Nantes, which gave Protestants religious, political and military independence, because it constituted “a state within a state,” i.e., politically disobedient. Sign of sovereignty = demolition of walled fortifications.

Brought France into the Thirty Years’ War. Standardization of the French language. Achilles’ Heel: Never obtained the ability to tax at will, meaning never will

have enough monies.

Young Louis XIVYoung Louis XIV

L’ etat c’est moi!

L’ etat c’est moi!

ByHyacinthe

Rigaud

ByHyacinthe

Rigaud

Louis XIV’s CarriageLouis XIV’s Carriage

The Bourbon Family Crest

The Bourbon Family Crest

L’ ouis XIV as Apollo

L’ ouis XIV as Apollo

L’ ouis XIV as Apollo

L’ ouis XIV as Apollo

by Jean Nocret, by Jean Nocret, 16701670

The Sun SymbolThe Sun Symbol

The “Fronde” and Versailles

Argument: Louis XIV built Versailles due to the chaotic period of the “Fronde.” What evidence (supporting details) from the text supports this argument?

--

--

--

--

Louis XIV

Collaborated with nobles in order to increase prestige, while also using court ceremony, entertainment, informers to render them harmless.

Versailles: “shock and awe” – tool of state policy as well as “keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”

French language and culture become the standard of “civilization.”

Revoked Edict of Nantes once and for all. Allowed his finance minister Colbert to subsidize

domestic (native) industries to compete with foreign goods, institute tariffs on vessels and on foreign goods, and encourage migration of foreign artists to France = MERCANTILISM.

War! (33 of 54 years as king). Took on Low Countries in a trade war and all of Europe in the War of Spanish Succession, which had he won would have resulted in France controlling Spanish throne. Added benefit of checking France’s maritime expansion.

Louis XIII’s Old Chateau

Louis XIII’s Old Chateau

Versailles TodayVersailles Today

Palais de VersaillesPalais de Versailles

Palais de VersaillesPalais de Versailles

Versailles Palace,Park Side

Versailles Palace,Park Side

Garden View of Versailles

Garden View of Versailles

Chateau de Versailles

Chateau de Versailles

Chateau de Versailles

Chateau de Versailles

André Le

Nôtre, Royal

Gardener

André Le

Nôtre, Royal

Gardener

Versailles’ Northern Gardens

Versailles’ Northern Gardens

Gardens at Versailles

Gardens at Versailles

Chateau de Versailles Gardens

Chateau de Versailles Gardens

The OrangeryThe Orangery

Grounds at Versailles

Grounds at Versailles

The Lightening of the Belvedere

by Claude Chatelet, 1781

The Lightening of the Belvedere

by Claude Chatelet, 1781

Fountains, Fountains, and More Fountains!Fountains, Fountains, and More Fountains!

And More Fountains!

And More Fountains!

And More Fountains!And More Fountains!

And Even More Fountains!!!

And Even More Fountains!!!

Temple of LoveTemple of Love

Hall of

Mirrors

Hall of

Mirrors

The Queen’s

Bed

The Queen’s

Bed

The King’s Bed

The King’s Bed

Louis XIV’s Chapel

Louis XIV’s Chapel

Louis XIV’s Chapel Altarpiece

Louis XIV’s Chapel Altarpiece

Organ in Louis XIV’s Chapel

Organ in Louis XIV’s Chapel

Louis XIV’s Opera Stage

Louis XIV’s Opera Stage

Cabinet with Views

of Versailles, 19c

Cabinet with Views

of Versailles, 19c

Louis XIV FurnitureLouis XIV Furniture

The Gallery of Battles

The Gallery of Battles

Versailles StatisticsVersailles Statisticsf 2,000 acres of groundsf 12 miles of roadsf 27 miles of trellisesf 200,000 treesf 210,000 flowers planted every yearf 80 miles of rows of treesf 55 acres surface area of the Grand Canalf 12 miles of enclosing wallsf 50 fountains and 620 fountain nozzlesf 21 miles of water conduitsf 3,600 cubic meters per hour: water consumedf 26 acres of rooff 51,210 square meters of floorsf 2,153 windowsf 700 roomsf 67 staircasesf 6,000 paintingsf 1,500 drawings and 15,000 engravingsf 2,100 sculptures f 5,000 items of furniture and objects d'artf 150 varieties of apple and peach trees in the Vegetable

Garden