Absolutism

Origin & TheoryWhat led to the development of absolutism?• Wars of Religion– Peace of Augsburg– France: War of the three

Henrys– The Thirty Years War

• Rise of the nation-state and evolution of ‘new monarchs’– Centralization of authority– Standing army– Monarch as state

• Political Theory– Jean Bodin 1530-96– Thomas Hobbes 1588-1673– Jacques Boussuet 1627-

1704

Absolutism vs. Despotism

Absolutism• Needs of the People• Preserve the State• Ruler limited by laws

and traditions• Need good relations

with existing groups in power– Ex. Religious groups,

nobles. Etc.

• Ex. Louis XIV

Despotism• Ruler wants power

for himself• Willing to sacrifice

the well being of the state for power

• Wants to remake the state in his own image

• Ex. Stalin

17th Century Ruling Families

• England- Tudors- Stewarts• France- Bourbon• Austria-Hungary- Hapsburgs• Prussia- Hohenzollern• Russia- Romanovs

• What conditions existed in France that made it emerge as the classic example of absolutism?

Characteristics of AbsolutismFrance

Trigger Events

Relationship with Nobility

Expanding State Structure

Warfare

Religion

Architecture/Art: Monumentalism

Characteristics of AbsolutismFrance

Trigger Events • 100 Years War (Long term)

• War of the 3 Henrys, Edict of Nantes

• Richelieu, Mazarin

• The Fronde – 1648-1653 – Fronde of Parlement, Fronde of the Princes

Relationship with Nobility

• Nobility as ‘junior partner’ – give up some power in exchange for guaranteed recognition of noble privileges

• Nobility doesn’t pay taxes

• Intendants essentially do all of the work of the state

• Bring the nobles to the seat of power (Versailles) to keep an eye on them

Expanding State Structure

• System of intendants

• Versailles- “Big Brother”

• Revocation of the Edict of Nantes

• Mercantilism

Warfare • War of Spanish Succession

• Balance of Power Issues

• Louis XIV’s Wars

Religion • Concordat of Bologna

• Revocation of the Edict of Nantes (mistake)

Architecture/Art: Monumentalism

• French Classicism

• Versailles (An amusement park for the nobles)

• Moliere

Characteristics of Absolutism

Why can it be said that the palace of Versailles was used as a device to ruin the nobility of France? Was Versailles a palace or a prison?

What was the price France paid for the wars of Louis XIV? Was it too high a price?

. . . absolute monarchy, which originated in early modern Europe and was based on the strong individual leaders of the new nation-states that were created at the breakup of the medieval order. The power of these states was closely associated with the power of their rulers; to strengthen both, it was necessary to curtail the restraints on centralized government that had been exercised by the church, feudal lords, and medieval customary law. By claiming the absolute authority of the state against such former restraints, the monarch as head of state claimed his own absolute authority. (Encyclopedia Britannica)

FRQ Timed WriteBased on the statement above:

Assess the extent to which France under Louis XIV was truly an absolute monarchy. Examine political, economic, social and religious policies in your assessment.

Characteristics of AbsolutismPrussia Austria-Hungary

Trigger Events

Relationship with Nobility

Expanding State Structure

Warfare

Religion

Architecture/Art: Monumentalism

The Fredericks• Frederick William (1620-88)

– The Great Elector (ruler)– Established a permanent army

• Frederick I (1657-1713)– Increased the army– Canton system, “militarism”

• King Frederick William I (r. 1713-1740)– Soldier King– “Tall soldiers”– Further increases the army

• Frederick II (r. 1740-1786)– “The Great”– Expanded Prussian territory– Increased Hohenzollern monarchy

Russia

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfWaHCWO42M – *Note- 1745, not 1945

Characteristics of AbsolutismRussia

Trigger Events

Relationship with Nobility

Expanding State Structure

Warfare

Religion

Architecture/Art: Monumentalism