Age of Absolutism:
King Louis XIV
FRENCH ABSOLUTISM
Absolutism
• Political theory that
believed in the “Divine
Right of Kings”
(Monarchs received their
authority from God).
• Bishop Bossuet
established this in Politics
Taken From the Very
Words of Scripture.
Bishop Jacques Bossuet
Absolute Monarchy in France
• Foundations of French
Absolutism
– Cardinal Richelieu (1624
– 1642)
• Policies and goals
• Administrative reforms
– Cardinal Mazarin (1642 –
1661)
• The Fronde – Noble
Revolt
• Both were able to maintain
power because they acted
as regents for very young
kings
Louis XIV (r. 1643-1715)
• Personal rule began in 1661
with the death of Cardinal
Mazarin.
• "L'État, c'est moi" (the state
is me)
• Symbolized as the “Sun
King.” (Center of France;
rays of sun reflect off of
monarch onto subjects).
Châteaux de Versailles
• King’s residence
and center of
government.
• Spent vast sums of
money on
expansion.
• Royal apartments
were at the center
of the complex.
Court Life at Versailles
• King severed dual functions: that of courtier
and that of administrator.
• Both functions were aimed at state-building.
• The Fronde had taught Louis to distrust the
nobility, so he appointed officials from
middle-class origin.
• He also continued the practice of selling
titles (“nobles of the robe” as opposed to
“nobles of the sword”).
Jean-Baptiste Colbert (1619-1683)
• Served as controller of
finances from 16621683.
• Supported
mercantilist policies.
• Built roads and canals.
• Credited for many of
Louis’ economic
successes and failures.
Domestic Policies
• Louis enacted absolutist ideas through domination
of the central bureaucracy which had greater
control of state finances, the execution of laws and
the use of armed force.
• Increased royal control over the local parlements.
• Defended the policy of Gallicanism.
• Revoked the Edict of Nantes in in October 1685
and began persecuting Huguenots; over 200,000
fled France.
Wars & Expansion under Louis XIV
• Through a series of
expensive wars Louis
slowly expanded French
territory.
• War of Devolution
(1667-68)
• The Dutch War (167278)
• War of the League of
Augsburg (1688-97)
War of Spanish Succession
• Childless Hapsburg
Charles II names
Bourbon Philip of Anjou
as heir.
• England, Holland and
HRE oppose French
acquisition of Spain &
territories.
• Louis was defeated by
the British and Austrians.
Treaty of Utrecht (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 Era
• Louis XIV was one of the great statebuilders of Europe
• Despite this, the peasants of France suffered
as they never had before or since. This
would bring government welfare as a state
function in the 18th century
• His absolutist policy solidified the place of
France as the dominant power in Europe.
The Decline of Spain
• Appearance vs. Reality
– Spain controls large parts of the New World,
Asia and Africa and has trade routes
between them – appears to be rich and
powerful
– Actually, the treasury is empty, the armed
forces are out of date, government is
inefficient, commercial class is weak,
peasants are suppressed and there are too
many nobles and priests
• Bankruptcies in 1596 and in 1607 under Phillip
II and Phillip III
Decline, continued
• Under Phillip III (15981621) it becomes apparent
• Phillip IV tries to revive
Spain
– Gaspar de Guzman, Chief
Minister
• Attempts to centralize the
government
– Domestic reforms
– Curtail power of Catholic
Church and Aristocracy
– Bring governments of
possessions under control
Outcome in Spain
• Attempts to centralize
government are unsuccessful
– Thirty Years War
• Expensive military campaigns
• Total defeat at the Battle of Rocroi
(1643)
– Internal Revolts/Civil War
– Dutch Independence formally
recognized by the Peace of
Westphalia (1648)
– Spanish Netherlands and outlying
areas lost in Peace of the Pyrenees
(1659)