FRENCH ABSOLUTISM

THE RISE OF ABSOLUTE MONARCHS (1650-1750)

In what sense were these forms “modern”?Which countries most clearly illustrate the

new patterns of political organizationHow did these forms of government differ

in Western and Eastern Europe?What were the limitations of absolutism?

“Absolute power corrupts absolutely”

The Divine Right of KingsThe Modern Nation State

Strong Central Government

Universal lawsPermanent Army –

professional soldiers paid by the State

Trained BureaucratsCollect taxes, enforce

laws, administer justice

Secular StateState above ReligionChurches do not

determine state policyNational SecurityNational Power and GloryNational language, pride,

common culture, and history distinct from others

Weak Medieval KingsPower Feudal Nobel LordsReligious WarsFrance, England*, Spain

(Western)Prussia, Russia, Austria –

(Eastern) DiverseGradual shift from loyalty to

regional, local lords – monarch rise of the Modern

God’s earthly representativeObedience to God – Obedience to

the KingKing could do no wrongBishop Jacques BossuetPolitics Drawn From the Very

Words of the Holy Scripture “The person of the king is sacred,

and to attack him in any way is an attack on religion itself.”

Poltitique Poltitique – “The (politiques) believed man lived primarily in the state, not in the church.”

“The politiques were men who concluded that too much was being made of religion, that no doctrine was important enough to justify everlasting war, that perhaps afterall there might be room for two churches, and that what the country needed above all else was civil order.”

Paved the way for French Absolutism by helping to restore internal peace

New Nobility – “Nobles of the Robe”Disorders of religious wars

germinated the idea of royal absolutism and the sovereign state

Henry IV – assassinated 1610 by a Catholic Fanatic

1610-1643Son of Henry IV6 years old when his father

diesMother Marie de Medici –

RegentHuguenot revoltsPromoted Cardinal Richelieu

– Chief Advisor

1585-1642Chief advisor – 1624-1642Shrewd, Brilliant,

Energetic, Loyal, CatholicShaped the destiny of

FranceFrance – supreme power

in EuropeStrengthened the power

of the king

Threats to royal power?Huguenots – “state within a state”Peace of Alais (1629) – amended

the Edict of NantesMilitary rights of Huguenots must

be removedProtestantism often served as a

religious cloakSiege of La Rochelle

Royal CommissionersMiddle class, lesser noblesAdministrative SystemFrance divided into 32 districtsDuties: collect taxes, recruit men

for army, administer laws, regulate economic activities

WHY?

RICHELIEURICHELIEU“If you give me six lines

written by the most honest man, I will find something in them to hang him.”- Cardinal Richelieu (Armand-Jean du Plessis)

“SUN KING”

1638-1715Father – Louis XIII Mother – Anne of AustriaKing age of 5Longest reigning monarch in European HistoryCardinal Jules Mazarin a regentChildhood marked by noble uprisings

1602-1661Continued Richelieu’s centralizing policiesThe Frondes – 1648-1652 – series of widespread rebellions – French civil warTerm used for those who opposed the KingNobility opposed – strong central government an new taxes imposed by Mazarin

1660 married Maria Theresa – Spanish Princess1661 Mazarin dies – age of 23 Louis takes the sole reign of FranceFinancial Minister Jean Baptiste ColbertEncouraged art, music, theater, architecture, painting, sculptor, science

1664-171510 miles outside the city of ParisOriginally a royal hunting lodgeOfficial residence of Kings 1682-1790Baroque Style1837 Louis Philippe – converted Museum

Strong king preferable to anarchyFrightened a young Louis XIVCaused him to fear the nobles and look for ways to control them

1616-1683Chief financial ministerMercantilistExpanded gov’t role in the economyFrench East India companyBuilt roads, canalsExpanded Merchant fleetTax burden - peasants

1685Revoked200,000 Huguenots fled“one king, one faith, one law”

The War of Devolution (1667-1668)The Dutch War (1672-1678)War of the League of Augsburg (1688-1697)War of Spanish Succession (1701-1714)4 major wars in 46 years

“the line of the Rhine”Louis XIVNatural BorderExpansionist Policy

Closest relative – HeirLouis XIV grandson – Philip the Duke of AnjouPhilip V – SpainProblem? France and Spain Unite?TOO POWERFUL

Grand Alliance – England, Dutch, Austria, Prussia, HRE v. France1713 – Treaty of UtrechtPhillip V (1700-46) remains King of SpainFrance and Spain never to uniteAustrian Hapsburgs acquire – Spanish Netherlands (Belgium), Milan, Naples, SardiniaElector of Brandenburg – King of Prussia

End of French expansionist policyCompleted the decline of SpainVastly expanded Great BritainBALANCE OF POWERExperience in international cooperation

Strong Central Government“one faith, one law, one king”Weakened forced that tended to

divide nationsGrowth towards the Modern

Nation State

Nation’s welfare dependent upon the ability of one person

Countless costly warsDisregarded the needs of the

rights of the common people