New Ideas about New Ideas about Knowledge and Knowledge and

AbsolutismAbsolutism

Newton wrap-upNewton wrap-up

Deism was the idea that the universe Deism was the idea that the universe was a machine, and God made the was a machine, and God made the machine. He had no role in the way it machine. He had no role in the way it worked.worked.

Newton did not believe this, but his Newton did not believe this, but his laws pushed people to believe it.laws pushed people to believe it.

His laws established an ordered view His laws established an ordered view of nature, science, and mathematics, of nature, science, and mathematics, and people wanted similar order for and people wanted similar order for society as well.society as well.

Francis Bacon (1561-1626)Francis Bacon (1561-1626)

Bacon claimed Bacon claimed that experience that experience and observation and observation were needed to were needed to gain reliable gain reliable knowledge.knowledge.

This was called This was called empiricismempiricism..

He was a big believer in He was a big believer in inductioninduction. This . This was a type of reasoning that made was a type of reasoning that made general statements from specific general statements from specific information.information.

Most women enjoy apples Most women enjoy apples Rong Yi is a Rong Yi is a woman woman Rong Yi enjoys apples. Rong Yi enjoys apples.

All humans have brains All humans have brains Jason is a Jason is a humanhuman Therefore, Jason has a brain. Therefore, Jason has a brain.

-This is DEDUCTIVE REASONING-This is DEDUCTIVE REASONING

Rene Descartes (1596-Rene Descartes (1596-1650)1650)

French philosopherFrench philosopher He came up with theHe came up with the

idea of “Cogito ergo idea of “Cogito ergo sum.”sum.”

He established rules He established rules of logic for achieving of logic for achieving certainty:certainty:

1. Seek clarity : “never to accept anything 1. Seek clarity : “never to accept anything for true which I did not clearly know to be for true which I did not clearly know to be such.”such.”

2. Strive for economy and simplicity of 2. Strive for economy and simplicity of complex matterscomplex matters

3. Move from the simple to the complex 3. Move from the simple to the complex because of a belief that the rules for the because of a belief that the rules for the simple hold true for the complex as wellsimple hold true for the complex as well

4. To be complete.4. To be complete.

This was called This was called rationalism and rationalism and deduction. deduction. This is in contrast to Bacon.This is in contrast to Bacon.

Political DiscoursePolitical Discourse

Thomas Hobbes (1588-Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)1679)

Originator of the Originator of the “Social Contract “Social Contract Theory”Theory”

State of NatureState of Nature Everyone was free, but Everyone was free, but

TOTALLY free. They TOTALLY free. They had the license to kill, had the license to kill, rape, steal, assault, rape, steal, assault, etc.etc.

Would lead to Would lead to bellum bellum omnium contra omnesomnium contra omnes..

From From Leviathan (1651)Leviathan (1651) In such condition, there is no place for In such condition, there is no place for

industry; because the fruit thereof is industry; because the fruit thereof is uncertain: and consequently no culture of uncertain: and consequently no culture of the earth; no navigation, nor use of the the earth; no navigation, nor use of the commodities that may be imported by sea; commodities that may be imported by sea; no commodious building; no instruments of no commodious building; no instruments of moving, and removing, such things as moving, and removing, such things as require much force; no knowledge of the require much force; no knowledge of the face of the earth; no account of time; no face of the earth; no account of time; no arts; no letters; no society; and which is arts; no letters; no society; and which is worst of all, continual fear, and danger of worst of all, continual fear, and danger of violent death; violent death; and the life of man, and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short. solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.

From From Leviathan (1651)Leviathan (1651) People would fear death and would be unable to People would fear death and would be unable to

work in order to earn the living that they need to work in order to earn the living that they need to obtain a decent living.obtain a decent living.

They would enter into a contract to establish They would enter into a contract to establish “Civil Society”“Civil Society”

-This is a population beneath a sovereign -This is a population beneath a sovereign authorityauthority

i) Hobbes was a supporter of a Monarchi) Hobbes was a supporter of a Monarch -We give up some rights in order to be protected-We give up some rights in order to be protected -Sovereign controls civil, military, judicial, and -Sovereign controls civil, military, judicial, and

ecclesiastical powers.ecclesiastical powers. The people had the right to a revolution if their The people had the right to a revolution if their

sovereign did not act in their best interest.sovereign did not act in their best interest.

John Locke (1632-1704)John Locke (1632-1704)

Similar to Hobbes in that Similar to Hobbes in that he embraced the idea of he embraced the idea of the “state of nature,” but the “state of nature,” but he believed that reason he believed that reason and tolerance are natural and tolerance are natural human values (unlike human values (unlike Hobbes).Hobbes).

In a natural state, all In a natural state, all people were equal and people were equal and independent.independent.

-Everyone had the right -Everyone had the right to defend their “Life, to defend their “Life, health, Liberty, and health, Liberty, and possessions.”possessions.”

Essay Concerning Human Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690)Understanding (1690)

Locke said that Descartes was not Locke said that Descartes was not right about knowledge. He said that right about knowledge. He said that instead, our knowledge is based on instead, our knowledge is based on sensation and reflection.sensation and reflection.

Our mind at birth is a blank slate, Our mind at birth is a blank slate, and is shaped through education and and is shaped through education and society.society.

Two Treatises of Government Two Treatises of Government (1689)(1689) Locke also believed that revolution was warranted Locke also believed that revolution was warranted

if the government failed to uphold their end of the if the government failed to uphold their end of the bargain, but went further than Hobbes. He believed bargain, but went further than Hobbes. He believed that revolution was an obligation sometimesthat revolution was an obligation sometimes

Unlike Hobbes who believed that the monarch had Unlike Hobbes who believed that the monarch had the rights to all powers the sovereign was the rights to all powers the sovereign was entrusted with, Locke believed “separation of entrusted with, Locke believed “separation of powers.”powers.”

-Also advocated separation of Church and -Also advocated separation of Church and State.State.

Both of the above were big influences in the Both of the above were big influences in the Declaration of Independence and the American Declaration of Independence and the American ConstitutionConstitution

AbsolutismAbsolutism

Political DebatePolitical Debate

During the 15-1700s, the discussion During the 15-1700s, the discussion in politics was all about legitimacy of in politics was all about legitimacy of authority.authority.

Who could be king, who could be Who could be king, who could be lords.lords.

Who did we have to listen to, which Who did we have to listen to, which rules applied to who.rules applied to who.

By the late 1600s and into the 1700s, By the late 1600s and into the 1700s, there was a shift to embrace the idea there was a shift to embrace the idea of “absolutism.” of “absolutism.”

This was the idea that kings ruled by This was the idea that kings ruled by “divine right.”“divine right.”

The French really ran with this.The French really ran with this. It took bits from Classicism. This was It took bits from Classicism. This was

admiration for the Greeks and the admiration for the Greeks and the RomansRomans

AbsolutismAbsolutism

Rules were created by the King, and Rules were created by the King, and these were meant to be followed by these were meant to be followed by all. all.

This set an end to feudalism.This set an end to feudalism. It was an attempt to unify the state.It was an attempt to unify the state. What do you think this kind of What do you think this kind of

unification needed?unification needed?

Louis XIVLouis XIV

Louis XIV was Louis XIV was born in 1638 and born in 1638 and became King in became King in 1643. He started 1643. He started to rule on his to rule on his own in 1661.own in 1661.

Known as “Le Roi Known as “Le Roi Solei,” the “Sun Solei,” the “Sun King.”King.”

Created a new system of government Created a new system of government that took power away from the old that took power away from the old nobility.nobility.

Les IntendantsLes Intendants were recruited from were recruited from the upper middle classes and their the upper middle classes and their power and status depended on the power and status depended on the King.King.

They collected taxes and They collected taxes and administered the regions of France.administered the regions of France.

TaxesTaxes

There was already a land tax.There was already a land tax. Louis XIV added a head tax, and Louis XIV added a head tax, and

smaller taxes on items (like wine, smaller taxes on items (like wine, salt, and tobacco).salt, and tobacco).

Roads and canals were built, tax-free Roads and canals were built, tax-free zones were established, and industry zones were established, and industry created and regulated.created and regulated.

This was all to maximize revenue for This was all to maximize revenue for the government to buy:the government to buy:

A national armyA national army

Instead of the old way of having different Instead of the old way of having different noblemen raising their own army, Louis noblemen raising their own army, Louis XIV centralized a national army.XIV centralized a national army.

In 1661 there were 20,000 men in the In 1661 there were 20,000 men in the army. By 1688 there were 290,000 and army. By 1688 there were 290,000 and growing.growing.

They were giving uniforms and they were They were giving uniforms and they were paid close to the same as civil servants.paid close to the same as civil servants.

They had the newest weapons and They had the newest weapons and strategy was encouraged and developed.strategy was encouraged and developed.

In 1685, Louis XIV took back the In 1685, Louis XIV took back the Edict of Nantes, because he thought Edict of Nantes, because he thought that a nation should be unified in that a nation should be unified in religion.religion.

The Huguenots left France and went The Huguenots left France and went to England, the Netherlands, German to England, the Netherlands, German states, or the United States.states, or the United States.

The Palace of VersaillesThe Palace of Versailles

There is perhaps no better symbol of There is perhaps no better symbol of absolutism or royal excess, than the Palace absolutism or royal excess, than the Palace of Versailles.of Versailles.

It took 32 years to fully complete.It took 32 years to fully complete. Best architects, painters, designers, Best architects, painters, designers,

engineers, artisans, and gardeners were engineers, artisans, and gardeners were hired.hired.

Cost 3% of the state budget at first, but got Cost 3% of the state budget at first, but got up to 10%.up to 10%.

35,000 worked on it at any given time.35,000 worked on it at any given time.

Nobles lived and worked in and around Nobles lived and worked in and around Versailles. Everything that Louis XIV did, Versailles. Everything that Louis XIV did, from getting up in the morning, to bathing, from getting up in the morning, to bathing, had people assigned to helping him out.had people assigned to helping him out.

He had grand balls, dinners, and He had grand balls, dinners, and ceremonies, all meant to keep his ceremonies, all meant to keep his ministers and civil servants happy.ministers and civil servants happy.

The old nobility had lost a lot of power. The old nobility had lost a lot of power. The old traditional power structures were The old traditional power structures were shifting and it is all because of Louis XIV.shifting and it is all because of Louis XIV.

““L’etat c’est moi.”L’etat c’est moi.”

Louis XIV, Europe, and the Louis XIV, Europe, and the WorldWorld

All of the changes that Louis XIV All of the changes that Louis XIV made were meant, really, for one made were meant, really, for one reason. What do you think that is?reason. What do you think that is?

The War of the Spanish The War of the Spanish SuccessionSuccession

In 1700, Charles II In 1700, Charles II of Spain died.of Spain died.

He was the last He was the last king from the king from the House of Hapsburg.House of Hapsburg.

He left his kingdom He left his kingdom to his grand-to his grand-nephew, Philip, nephew, Philip, Duke of Anjou.Duke of Anjou.

Philip was the Philip was the Grandson to…Louis Grandson to…Louis XIV.XIV.

Why was this a problem?Why was this a problem?

Apart from this, the Spanish Empire Apart from this, the Spanish Empire was still the physically largest in the was still the physically largest in the world. They had large areas of North world. They had large areas of North and South Americaand South America

England (Great Britain after 1701), The England (Great Britain after 1701), The Dutch Republic, and Austria, along with Dutch Republic, and Austria, along with allies in the Holy Roman Empire, formed allies in the Holy Roman Empire, formed “The Grand Alliance.” They supported the “The Grand Alliance.” They supported the Hapsburg candidate for the throne of Hapsburg candidate for the throne of Spain, Archduke Charles.Spain, Archduke Charles.

They did this for political reasons, there They did this for political reasons, there was no element of religion at this point.was no element of religion at this point.

Fighting was for a variety of interests. The Fighting was for a variety of interests. The Grand Alliance fought Spain and France for Grand Alliance fought Spain and France for a variety of reasons.a variety of reasons.

Treaty of UtrechtTreaty of Utrecht

Philip, Duke of Anjou was recognized as Philip, Duke of Anjou was recognized as the Philip V of Spain.the Philip V of Spain.-He had to renounce any claim to the -He had to renounce any claim to the French throne.French throne.-Some other relatives of Louis XIV had to -Some other relatives of Louis XIV had to renounce claims to the Spanish throne.renounce claims to the Spanish throne.

Portugal had overseas lands recognized.Portugal had overseas lands recognized. Parts of Italy were given to Savoy.Parts of Italy were given to Savoy. The HRE received the Spanish The HRE received the Spanish

Netherlands, Sardinia and parts of Milan.Netherlands, Sardinia and parts of Milan.

Spain gave Gibraltar and Minorca to Great Spain gave Gibraltar and Minorca to Great BritainBritain-The also gave the -The also gave the AsientoAsiento to them. to them.

In North America, France gave GB it’s claims In North America, France gave GB it’s claims to Newfoundland and the territories in to Newfoundland and the territories in Rupert’s Land.Rupert’s Land.-They also gave Nova Scotia, and Saint Kitts.-They also gave Nova Scotia, and Saint Kitts.*France kept other territories in North *France kept other territories in North American including “Quebec” parts of Nova American including “Quebec” parts of Nova Scotia and St. Pierre et Miquelon.Scotia and St. Pierre et Miquelon.

Balance of PowerBalance of Power

France and Spain “lost” the war, but France and Spain “lost” the war, but their initial choice for King was put in their initial choice for King was put in (with provisos).(with provisos).

Even still, when Louis XIV died in Even still, when Louis XIV died in 1715, France was the most powerful 1715, France was the most powerful part of Europepart of Europe

Eastern EuropeEastern Europe Brandenburg-Prussia Brandenburg-Prussia

was one of the larger was one of the larger states within the Holy states within the Holy Roman Empire.Roman Empire.

It was ruled by It was ruled by Frederick William, the Frederick William, the Great Elector. Great Elector.

Like Louis XIV, he Like Louis XIV, he centralized Authority, centralized Authority, built a modern army, built a modern army, pacified the nobles, pacified the nobles, created a civil service, created a civil service, encouraged industry encouraged industry and used and used mercantilism.mercantilism.

The Hapsburgs tried to establish The Hapsburgs tried to establish Absolutism in their territory but it was Absolutism in their territory but it was difficult to do.difficult to do.

Russia did not experience the Russia did not experience the Renaissance or the Reformation.Renaissance or the Reformation.

It stayed feudal much longer than It stayed feudal much longer than other countries. Its shift to a power other countries. Its shift to a power began the reign of Peter the Great began the reign of Peter the Great (1688-1725)(1688-1725)

ConstitutionalismConstitutionalism

Instead of Absolutism, some states Instead of Absolutism, some states decided to go with a set of rules that decided to go with a set of rules that checked the power of the monarch.checked the power of the monarch.

England and the Netherlands were England and the Netherlands were two examples, and they were still two examples, and they were still able to establish powerful empires.able to establish powerful empires.

England and the Puritan England and the Puritan RevolutionRevolution

Since the Magna Carta in 1215, the Since the Magna Carta in 1215, the power of the English Monarch had power of the English Monarch had been limited.been limited.

By 1642, the English were getting By 1642, the English were getting tired of Calvinist Puritans. Some of tired of Calvinist Puritans. Some of them left for America but most them left for America but most stayed.stayed.

Charles I (1625-1649)Charles I (1625-1649) Scotland was upset Scotland was upset

at Charles I rulings at Charles I rulings about prayer.about prayer.

He wanted to go to He wanted to go to war with Scotland war with Scotland and called and called parliament to do so.parliament to do so.

Parliament tried to Parliament tried to pass laws that pass laws that limited the power of limited the power of the monarch to the monarch to impose taxes impose taxes without its without its permission.permission.

English Civil WarEnglish Civil War

A series of fights broke out across the A series of fights broke out across the country between “Parliamentarians” and country between “Parliamentarians” and “Royalists.”“Royalists.”

The Parliamentarians won, led by an The Parliamentarians won, led by an army created by Oliver Cromwell, who army created by Oliver Cromwell, who became the head of the “Protectorate.”became the head of the “Protectorate.”

Charles I was executed, Church of Charles I was executed, Church of England’s monopoly on Christianity in England’s monopoly on Christianity in England, and Parliamentary consent was England, and Parliamentary consent was required for a Monarch’s governance.required for a Monarch’s governance.

Charles II (the son of Charles I) was Charles II (the son of Charles I) was exiled to the continent, but was called exiled to the continent, but was called back to be the head of a Constitutional back to be the head of a Constitutional Monarchy in 1660.Monarchy in 1660.

It was in this climate that Hobbes wrote It was in this climate that Hobbes wrote LeviathanLeviathan, the book that proposed the , the book that proposed the state of nature and where he said that state of nature and where he said that we gave up some rights in order to we gave up some rights in order to have a working society.have a working society.

Even though Charles II was restored Even though Charles II was restored to power, conflict was not finished.to power, conflict was not finished.

Charles II had sympathies for the Charles II had sympathies for the Catholics and his brother and heir, Catholics and his brother and heir, James, was a Catholic.James, was a Catholic.

Parliament passed the Test Act in Parliament passed the Test Act in 1673 that said that only those who 1673 that said that only those who supported the state religion could supported the state religion could hold civil and military office.hold civil and military office.

England split into two political groups:England split into two political groups:

““Tories” supported the king and the Tories” supported the king and the monarchy. monarchy.

““Whigs” opposed policies of the king and Whigs” opposed policies of the king and supported the authority of parliament supported the authority of parliament and constitutionalism.and constitutionalism.

James II came to power and installed James II came to power and installed Catholics into positions of power Catholics into positions of power anyway.anyway.

The Glorious RevolutionThe Glorious Revolution

Whigs AND Tories crossed the Channel to Whigs AND Tories crossed the Channel to Holland and asked William of Orange to Holland and asked William of Orange to provide an army to help fight the Catholics in provide an army to help fight the Catholics in England.England.

He agreed, and an army did cross, but James He agreed, and an army did cross, but James and his family fled into France. The throne and his family fled into France. The throne was declared vacant and William and Mary was declared vacant and William and Mary ruled as co-monarchs.ruled as co-monarchs.

Laws were passed that made the laws Laws were passed that made the laws requiring parliamentary regulations on the requiring parliamentary regulations on the king stronger. This was the beginning of the king stronger. This was the beginning of the Constitutional Monarchy in England.Constitutional Monarchy in England.