Chapter 19: Monarchs of Europe

 

France in the Age of Absolutism

A. Louis XIV, The Sun King: The Model for European Absolutism

            1. Appeals to religion, science buttressed absolutism

                        a. Bishop Jacques Bossuet gave classic definition of “divine right” of kings

                        b. Thomas Hobbes saw order as primary social good, anarchy as greatest disaster

            2. French kings had sought to subordinate nobles, centralize administration

                        a. Cardinal Richelieu reduced power of nobles, independence of Protestants

            3. Louis XIV worked to project image of himself as the “Grand Monarch”

            4. Claimed authority over French church, religion of his subjects, conflicted with pope over revenues

            5. Revoked Edict of Nantes (1685)

                        a. Ended Huguenots’ freedom to worship, subjected them to torture/imprisonment

                        b. 300,000 fled to other countries, depriving France of their skills

 

B. The Functioning of French Absolutism

            1. Versailles, enormous, awe-inspiring palace

            2. Theoretically king made all major decisions

                        a. Supreme lawgiver, Chief judge, Commander of all military forces, Head of all administration

            3. Aristocracy dominated France

                        a. Exempt from most taxes, owned land, influence in local assemblies, royal appointments in Church/army

            4. Jean Baptiste Colbert ran mercantilist system

Russia in the Age of Absolutism

A. Russian Autocracy

            1. Ivan IV “the Terrible” (1533-84) began reforms to modernize Russia, subdue nobles

                        a. Launched war of terror (oprichnina) to suppress boyars

            2. Time of Troubles (early 17th century) period of weak, uncertain leadership, end of Rurik line, famine, economic distress

 

B.  Romanov Dynasty Established

            1. Early tsars, Michael, Alexis, integrated most aristocrats into state nobility

            2. 17th-century Russia backward, stagnant, deficient

            3. Peter the Great (1682-1725) solidified absolutism, brought Russia into new status

                        a. Traveled incognito to the West, learned new technology, crafts and returned to crush rebellion, install absolutism

                        b. Won land on Baltic, designated St. Petersburg, “window on west,” new capital

                        c. Replaced representative bodies with appointed councils, ministries

                        d. Replaced Orthodox patriarch with synod of bishops under secular procurator

                        e. Set up factories, mines, shipyards, brought in experts, workers from West

                        f. Raised protective tariffs, taxed everything

                        g. Strengthened, modernized, enlarged army

            4. Catherine II brought some enlightenment, progress to Russia

                        a. Patronized libraries, galleries, founded orphanages, hospitals

                        b. Secularized church land, restricted use of torture

                        c. Encouraged arts, literature, sciences

                        d. Initiated reform of local government, codification of law, but never finished projects

                        e. Conspired in death of husband, ruthless Machiavellian in foreign affairs

                        f. Left rigid autocracy, based on support of aristocratic elite exposed to liberalism

 

C. Poland: The Last Medieval State

            1. Agrarian, little trade or industry

            2. Nobles dominated serfs, avoided military service, taxes

            3. Diet, elected by local bodies, chose king

            4. Poland 50 small, independent feudal estates

 

Central Europe in the Age of Absolutism

A. The Habsburgs

            1. Held Archduchy of Austria, several German areas, Bohemia, Hungary

            2. Blocked Turks in east, countered Louis XIV in continental wars

            3. Leopold I (1657-1705) succeeded in boosting imperial power

            4. Maria Theresa (1740-1780) maintained appearance of absolutism

                        a. Lacked money, military force when she inherited throne at age 22

                        b. Faced threats from Prussia, resurgent nobility

            5. Habsburgs lacked economic base for dynamic absolutism

 

B. Absolutism in Prussia

            1. Rise of Hohenzollerns key development of era

                        a. United scattered north German lands

                        b. Recovered from near-disaster in Thirty Years’ War

            2. Frederick William the Great Elector (1640-1688) won land, tamed nobles, created tough army, built efficient administration

            3. Frederick I (1688-1713) continued trend, gained title “King of Prussia” for siding with France in war

            4. Frederick William I (1713-1740) had excellent civil service, built best trained army in Europe, strict disciplinarian

            5. Frederick II “the Great” (1740-1786) ran perfectly functioning absolutist state , Prussia best-governed European state

                        a. Raised tariffs to protect agriculture, industry

                        b. Ran government like an army

                        c. Honored Prussian nobles, gave them control over serfs

                        d. Promoted new industry, codified law, reorganized courts

                        e. Recognized civil equality of Catholics

 

C. Conflict between Prussia and Austria

            1. Seven Years’ War (1756-63) renewed global conflict

                        a. By 1763 Russia, Prussia seen as great powers

                        b. Austria forged alliance with Russia and France against Prussia

                        c. Diplomatic realignment: Britain, Prussia vs. France, Austria

                        d. Conflict on three continents: Europe, Asia (India), North America (French and Indian War)

                       

The English Monarchy

A. Henry VIII and the Anglican Reformation

            1. The Annulment Issue

            2. Characterized by national monarchy, centralized authority, greater independence from papacy

            3. English Reformation took political form

            4. King became head of English church

            5. Edward VI (1547-1553) frail, teenage son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour

                        a. Staunchly Protestant regents introduced more Protestant features to Church

                        b. Catholics alarmed

            6. Mary I (1553-1558) daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon

                        a. Catholic, tried to restore Catholic church service, papal authority

                        b. Persecuted Protestants, burned 300, including Cranmer, called “Bloody Mary”

            7. Elizabeth I helped England avoid civil war

                        a. Skillful at judging, manipulating factions

                        b. A dominating diplomat

                        c. Elizabeth skillfully defused religious problems

                        d. Failed to please both Catholic, Puritan extremes

 

B. The Futile Spanish Bid for Supremacy

            1. Religious conflict became international, as Philip shifted from diplomacy to direct military action

            2. Philip could not control French or English policy

                        a. Angered by English piracy

                        b. Frustrated with Dutch uprising

                        c. Tried to work through Mary Stuart to expel Elizabeth

            3. Sent Armada in 1588, ended in debacle of defeat

 

C. King James I

            1. was from Stuart not Tudor family

            2. supported Anglican Church, King James version of Bible

            3. supported divine right, conflict with parliament through out reign