The Age of Absolutism. Absolutism ► Political theory that believed in the “Divine Right of...

The Age of The Age of AbsolutismAbsolutism

AbsolutismAbsolutism

►Political theory that Political theory that believed in the believed in the “Divine Right of “Divine Right of Kings”Kings” (Monarchs (Monarchs received their received their authority from God).authority from God).

►Bishop Bossuet Bishop Bossuet established this in established this in Politics Taken From Politics Taken From the Very Words of the Very Words of Scripture.Scripture.

Bishop Jacques Bossuet

Louis XIVLouis XIV (r. 1643-1715) (r. 1643-1715)

► Personal rule began in Personal rule began in 1661 with the death of 1661 with the death of Cardinal Mazarin.Cardinal Mazarin.

► ""L'État, c'est moiL'État, c'est moi" (the " (the state is me)state is me)

► Symbolized as the Symbolized as the “Sun King.” (Center of “Sun King.” (Center of France; rays of sun France; rays of sun reflect off of monarch reflect off of monarch onto subjects).onto subjects).

Châteaux de Châteaux de VersaillesVersailles

►King’s residence King’s residence and center of and center of government.government.

►Spent vast sums Spent vast sums of money on of money on expansion.expansion.

►Royal Royal apartments were apartments were at the center of at the center of the complex.the complex.

Court Life at Court Life at VersaillesVersailles

►King severed dual functions: that of King severed dual functions: that of courtier and that of administrator.courtier and that of administrator.

►Both functions were aimed at state-Both functions were aimed at state-building.building.

►The Fronde had taught Louis to The Fronde had taught Louis to distrust the nobility, so he appointed distrust the nobility, so he appointed officials from middle-class origin.officials from middle-class origin.

►He also continued the practice of He also continued the practice of selling titles (“nobles of the robe” as selling titles (“nobles of the robe” as opposed to “nobles of the sword”). opposed to “nobles of the sword”).

Jean-Baptiste ColbertJean-Baptiste Colbert (1619- (1619-1683)1683)

►Served as controller of Served as controller of finances from 1662-finances from 1662-1683.1683.

►Supported Supported mercantilistmercantilist policies. policies.

►Built roads and canals.Built roads and canals.►Credited for many of Credited for many of

Louis’ economic Louis’ economic successes and failures.successes and failures.

Domestic PoliciesDomestic Policies

► Louis enacted absolutist ideas through Louis enacted absolutist ideas through domination of the central bureaucracy which domination of the central bureaucracy which had greater control of state finances, the had greater control of state finances, the execution of laws and the use of armed execution of laws and the use of armed force.force.

► Increased royal control over the local Increased royal control over the local parlements.parlements.

► Defended the policy of Defended the policy of GallicanismGallicanism. . ► Revoked the Edict of Nantes in in October Revoked the Edict of Nantes in in October

1685 and began persecuting Huguenots; 1685 and began persecuting Huguenots; over 200,000 fled France.over 200,000 fled France.

Wars & Expansion under Louis Wars & Expansion under Louis XIVXIV

► Through a series of Through a series of expensive wars Louis expensive wars Louis slowly expanded slowly expanded French territory.French territory.

► War of DevolutionWar of Devolution (1667-68)(1667-68)

► The Dutch WarThe Dutch War (1672-78)(1672-78)

► War of the League War of the League of Augsburgof Augsburg (1688- (1688-97)97)

War of Spanish War of Spanish SuccessionSuccession

►Childless Hapsburg Childless Hapsburg Charles II names Charles II names Bourbon Philip of Bourbon Philip of Anjou as heir.Anjou as heir.

►England, Holland England, Holland and HRE oppose and HRE oppose French acquisition of French acquisition of Spain & territories.Spain & territories.

►Louis was defeated Louis was defeated by the British and by the British and Austrians.Austrians.

Treaty of Utrecht Treaty of Utrecht (1713)(1713)

•War ended with Treaty of Utrecht (1713) and Treaty of Baden and Rastatt (with Hapsburgs in 1714)

•Philip of Anjou become Philip V of Spain, but he nor his successors could hold French throne.

•Hapsburgs and British gained territory, French lost New World lands.

The End of an EraThe End of an Era

►Louis XIV was one of the great state-Louis XIV was one of the great state-builders of Europebuilders of Europe

►Despite this, the peasants of France Despite this, the peasants of France suffered as they never had before or suffered as they never had before or since. This would bring government since. This would bring government welfare as a state function it the 18welfare as a state function it the 18thth centurycentury

►His absolutist policy solidified the place His absolutist policy solidified the place of France as the dominant power in of France as the dominant power in Europe.Europe.

Political Changes in Eastern Political Changes in Eastern EuropeEurope

►Three aging empires: gave way to new Three aging empires: gave way to new empires of Austria Prussia and Russiaempires of Austria Prussia and Russia

►Holy Roman Empire: religious divisions Holy Roman Empire: religious divisions and war in 16and war in 16thth and 17 and 17thth century century

►Ottoman Empire: could not maintain Ottoman Empire: could not maintain possessions in E. Europe and Balkanspossessions in E. Europe and Balkans

►Poland: Poland: liberum vetoliberum veto – voting in – voting in Polish parliament had to be unanimous Polish parliament had to be unanimous (= weak gov’t)(= weak gov’t)

The Austrian HapsburgsThe Austrian Hapsburgs

► Multinational empire: Multinational empire: Austrian, Hungarian, & Austrian, Hungarian, & Bohemian kingdoms Bohemian kingdoms (later expansion into (later expansion into Slavic lands)Slavic lands)

► Cosmopolitan aristocracy: Cosmopolitan aristocracy: serfdomserfdom

► Leopold ILeopold I (1658-1705),: (1658-1705),: successfully repelled successfully repelled TurksTurks

► Turkish threat: relatively Turkish threat: relatively religiously tolerant religiously tolerant empireempire


► Charles VI Charles VI Pragmatic Sanction Pragmatic Sanction (1713) issued by (1713) issued by Charles Charles

VI: VI: Habsburg territories indivisible; only Habsburg territories indivisible; only Habsburgs could rule (daughter Maria Theresa)Habsburgs could rule (daughter Maria Theresa)

War of Austrian Succession War of Austrian Succession (1740-1748) – (1740-1748) – (King George’s War – 1744-1748)(King George’s War – 1744-1748)

Prussia, France, Bavaria & Spain vs. Austria and Prussia, France, Bavaria & Spain vs. Austria and RussiaRussia

Prussia tool Silesia from Austria; Prussia now Prussia tool Silesia from Austria; Prussia now most powerful German state: “Great Power”most powerful German state: “Great Power”

Treaty of Aix-laChapelle (1748): legitimized Treaty of Aix-laChapelle (1748): legitimized Frederick the Great’s conquest.Frederick the Great’s conquest.


►Maria Theresa Maria Theresa (r. (r. 1740-1780): Wars 1740-1780): Wars of 1740s led to of 1740s led to internal internal consolidationconsolidation

►Reduced serfdom Reduced serfdom (more than any (more than any other e. European other e. European ruler except her ruler except her son Joseph II)son Joseph II)


► Joseph IIJoseph II (1765-1790) – greatest of the (1765-1790) – greatest of the Enlightened despots (“greatest good for Enlightened despots (“greatest good for greatest number”)greatest number”) Abolished serfdom in 1781, freedom of press, Abolished serfdom in 1781, freedom of press,

freedom of religion & civic rights, more freedom of religion & civic rights, more equitable justice system, made German equitable justice system, made German official language (to assimilate minorities), official language (to assimilate minorities), increased control over Catholic education, increased control over Catholic education, expanded state schools, left empire in expanded state schools, left empire in economic and political turmoil: Leopold I economic and political turmoil: Leopold I rescind many laws (e.g., serfdom)rescind many laws (e.g., serfdom)

Hohenzollerns in PrussiaHohenzollerns in Prussia

► Frederick William, The Frederick William, The Great Elector (r.1640-Great Elector (r.1640-1688)1688) Rule consolidated after 30 Rule consolidated after 30

Years’ War: military force Years’ War: military force & taxation& taxation

Junkers:Junkers: nobility sided nobility sided with king for stability; with king for stability; hereditary serfdom in 1653hereditary serfdom in 1653

Created most efficient Created most efficient army in Europearmy in Europe


►Frederick I (r. 1688-Frederick I (r. 1688-1713)1713) (Elector Frederick III) (Elector Frederick III)

“The Ostentatious” “The Ostentatious” (1688-1713); 1(1688-1713); 1stst “King of “King of Prussia”Prussia”

Allied with Habsburgs in Allied with Habsburgs in War of League of War of League of Augsburg and War of Augsburg and War of Spanish Succession.Spanish Succession.


► Frederick William I (r. Frederick William I (r. 1713-1740) 1713-1740) “The “The Soldiers’ King”Soldiers’ King” Established Prussian Established Prussian

abolutismabolutism ““Sparta of the North”:Sparta of the North”:

Largely a military state – Largely a military state – best army in Europebest army in Europe

Junkers became officers Junkers became officers caste in army in return for caste in army in return for king’s absolutismking’s absolutism


► ““Frederick the Great”Frederick the Great” (Frederick II: 1740-1786) of (Frederick II: 1740-1786) of PrussiaPrussia At war for first half of his reignAt war for first half of his reign Became a reformer during 2Became a reformer during 2ndnd half of his half of his

reign – ruler was the reign – ruler was the “first servant of “first servant of the state”the state”

Religious freedom, education in schools Religious freedom, education in schools and universities, codified laws, and universities, codified laws, promoted industry and agriculture, promoted industry and agriculture, encouraged immigrationencouraged immigration

Social structure remained heavily Social structure remained heavily stratified: serfdom; extended privileges stratified: serfdom; extended privileges for the nobility, Junkers became heart of for the nobility, Junkers became heart of military; difficult upward mobility for military; difficult upward mobility for middle class leadershipmiddle class leadership

Peter the Great in RussiaPeter the Great in Russia

►Romanov DynastyRomanov Dynasty (1613-1917) (1613-1917) Michael RomanovMichael Romanov

(1613-1645)(1613-1645) Created Russian Created Russian

empire across Asia to empire across Asia to the Pacific (largest the Pacific (largest nation by 1689)nation by 1689)


►Peter the GreatPeter the Great (1682- (1682-1725)1725) 1698, put down revolt by 1698, put down revolt by

strelskistrelski (Moscow Guards) (Moscow Guards) westernization westernization

(modernization): mostly for (modernization): mostly for military purposesmilitary purposes

state-regulated monopolies state-regulated monopolies created; industrial serfdomcreated; industrial serfdom

Table of Ranks:Table of Ranks: educational educational training for new civil service training for new civil service (mostly of nobles)(mostly of nobles)


► St. PetersburgSt. Petersburg begun in 1703 on Baltic; begun in 1703 on Baltic; largest city in Northern Europe by his death.largest city in Northern Europe by his death.

► ““Winter Palace” sought to emulate Versailles.Winter Palace” sought to emulate Versailles.► Great Northern WarGreat Northern War (1700-1721) (1700-1721)► Charles XIICharles XII, 18-yr-old Swedish king, 18-yr-old Swedish king► Battle of Poltava, 1709: Peter defeated Battle of Poltava, 1709: Peter defeated

SwedenSweden► Treaty of NystadTreaty of Nystad (1721): Peter gained Baltic (1721): Peter gained Baltic

states “window to the West”states “window to the West”

Alternatives to AbsolutismAlternatives to Absolutism

►SwedenSweden Nobles use the absence of the king during Nobles use the absence of the king during

warfare to reaffirm their power.warfare to reaffirm their power.►United ProvincesUnited Provinces

Merchants and landowners in the Estates Merchants and landowners in the Estates General held the House of Orange in General held the House of Orange in check.check.

►PolandPoland King was elected by nobles, who King was elected by nobles, who

continued to hold the power.continued to hold the power.

Constitutionalism in Great Britain -Constitutionalism in Great Britain - The RestorationThe Restoration (1660-1688) (1660-1688)

►King Charles II (r. 1660-1685)King Charles II (r. 1660-1685) Parliament in 1660 reelected according to Parliament in 1660 reelected according to

old franchise (gentry): Anglicans back in old franchise (gentry): Anglicans back in powerpower

Charles II Charles II “The Merry Monarch” (1660-“The Merry Monarch” (1660-1685): Stuarts restored to the throne1685): Stuarts restored to the throne

Declaration of Breda: Charles agreed to Declaration of Breda: Charles agreed to abide by Parliament’s demandsabide by Parliament’s demands

The Clarendon CodeThe Clarendon Code, 1661: Anglicans , 1661: Anglicans excluded Dissenters (Puritans) from politics.excluded Dissenters (Puritans) from politics.

Declaration of Indulgence, 1673: Charles II Declaration of Indulgence, 1673: Charles II granted free worship to Catholics.granted free worship to Catholics.

The RestorationThe Restoration (1660- (1660-1688)1688)

► Test Act of 1673Test Act of 1673: all officeholders must : all officeholders must take communion in Anglican Churchtake communion in Anglican Church Was Anglican response to Declaration of Was Anglican response to Declaration of

IndulgenceIndulgence

► Habeas CorpusHabeas Corpus Act Act (1679): no arbitrary (1679): no arbitrary arrest and speedy trialarrest and speedy trial

► Parliament was split and fragmented into Parliament was split and fragmented into two political partiestwo political parties Tories:Tories: king’s supporters, nobles king’s supporters, nobles WhigsWhigs: middle-class and merchants; also high : middle-class and merchants; also high

aristocracyaristocracy

The RestorationThe Restoration (1660- (1660-1688)1688)

► King James II (r. 1685-King James II (r. 1685-1688)1688) sought to Catholicize sought to Catholicize

England in England in Declaration of Declaration of Liberty of ConscienceLiberty of Conscience. .

Second wife Mary Second wife Mary (Catholic) bears a son, (Catholic) bears a son, fear of Catholic fear of Catholic successionsuccession

He is forced to abdicate.He is forced to abdicate. Leads to rebellions in Leads to rebellions in

Scotland and Ireland.Scotland and Ireland.

Glorious Revolution Glorious Revolution (1688)(1688)

►William III (William of William III (William of Orange) and Mary Orange) and Mary Stuart Stuart (daughter of (daughter of James II form first James II form first marriage): Protestantism marriage): Protestantism secured in Englandsecured in England Act of TolerationAct of Toleration: :

granted religious freedom granted religious freedom (except to Catholics, Jews, (except to Catholics, Jews, and Unitariansand Unitarians

Bill of Rights (1689)Bill of Rights (1689) Act of Parliament (one of the bases of the “British Act of Parliament (one of the bases of the “British

Constitution”) that includes:Constitution”) that includes:► freedom from royal interference with the law freedom from royal interference with the law ► freedom from taxation by royal prerogative, freedom from taxation by royal prerogative,

without agreement by Parliamentwithout agreement by Parliament► freedom to petition the Kingfreedom to petition the King► freedom from a peace-time standing army, freedom from a peace-time standing army,

without agreement by Parliamentwithout agreement by Parliament► freedom to elect members of Parliament freedom to elect members of Parliament

without interference from the Sovereignwithout interference from the Sovereign► the freedom of speech in Parliament.the freedom of speech in Parliament.► freedom from cruel and unusual punishments, freedom from cruel and unusual punishments,

and excessive bail.and excessive bail.

Locke v. HobbesLocke v. Hobbes

► Thomas Hobbes: Thomas Hobbes: Leviathan Leviathan (1651): Justified strong (1651): Justified strong government. Life was government. Life was "solitary, poor, nasty, "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short"brutish, and short"

► John Locke: John Locke: Two Treatises on Two Treatises on Government Government (1689)(1689): : Right to Right to overthrow tyrannical rulers; overthrow tyrannical rulers; Social contract; philosophical Social contract; philosophical argument for supremacy of argument for supremacy of Parliament.Parliament.

Queen Anne & Act of Queen Anne & Act of UnionUnion

► Act of SettlementAct of Settlement (1701): (1701): only Anglican could only Anglican could succeed to the thronesucceed to the throne

► Queen AnneQueen Anne (1702-1714): (1702-1714): ► Act of Union (1707) – Act of Union (1707) –

English and Scottish English and Scottish Parliaments merged = Parliaments merged = United Kingdom of Great United Kingdom of Great BritainBritain Royal veto used for last timeRoyal veto used for last time On her death the Elector of On her death the Elector of

Hanover, Hanover, George IGeorge I took the took the throne.throne.

The JacobitesThe Jacobites► Beginning in the 1690s and through the Beginning in the 1690s and through the

1740s, revolts in Highland Scotland broke 1740s, revolts in Highland Scotland broke out in support of Stuarts (James II, James out in support of Stuarts (James II, James Edward Stuart (James III) and Bonnie Edward Stuart (James III) and Bonnie Prince Charlie).Prince Charlie).

► These ended in 1745-46 with the Battle of These ended in 1745-46 with the Battle of Culloden and the Highland Clearances.Culloden and the Highland Clearances.

Parliamentary Parliamentary GovernmentGovernment

► Cabinet SystemCabinet System of preparing of preparing laws for Parliament developed laws for Parliament developed during early 18during early 18thth century century

► Party system (Whigs and Party system (Whigs and Tories) become prominent.Tories) become prominent.

► Prime minister became leader Prime minister became leader of cabinet and responsible to of cabinet and responsible to majority party in the House of majority party in the House of Commons.Commons.

► Robert WalpoleRobert Walpole (1721-1742) (1721-1742) became first became first prime ministerprime minister

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