ABSOLUTISM
ABSOLUTISM DEFINED
Absolutism -the principle or practice of a political
system in which unrestricted power is vested in a
monarch, dictator, etc.; despotism
Absolute Monarchy - the idea that a monarch exercised
total and complete control over the affairs of the nation
and people
Brainstorm a list of 5 rulers who you think fit
this definition
FAMOUS ABSOLUTIST RULERS
Louis XIII and Louis XIV of France
Peter the Great and Catherine the Great of Russia
Leopold I and Joseph II of Austria
John V of Portugal, Frederick III of Denmark
Charles XI and Charles XII of Sweden
Frederick the Great of Prussia
Henry VIII and Elizabeth I of England
THE DEVINE RIGHT OF KINGS
• monarchs ruled by divine right, accountable to
no one but God; not limited by constitutions
or parliaments
• to maintain power they used standing armies, secret police, were
harsh with opposition
• concept was justified in the writings of Thomas Hobbes, who
believed that human nature was selfish and aggressive; we need
absolute monarchs to save us from an unruly and harsh “state of
nature” (life without government); in return for protection, we give
up freedoms
• John Locke challenged this idea; he believed that people willingly
chose to leave the state of nature and live in an organized society,
and that they willingly gave up some freedoms in return for
benefits of society; people retained right to life, liberty and
property
• If the government infringed on those rights, people had the right to
be heard and their wants considered
THE FRENCH
EXPERIENCE
Cardinal Richelieu:
CARDINAL RICHELIEU
• Lived from 1585-1642 during the reign of Louis XIII, Louis’ XIV
father
• Laid the foundation for French Absolutism
• Because of his influence on Louis XIII, he was able to pave the
way for French cultural dominance throughout Europe in the late
17th century
• Overall, he helped to develop absolutism in Europe through his
influence on Louis XIII
MILITARY REFORMS
• No longer relied on nobility for military support
• Louis XIV created a standing army maintained in peacetime
• The secretary of war – Francois Michel Le Tellier created the first
modern army
• The army was permanent, trained and paid and recruited by the
state
• Soldiers no longer had to live off the countryside, and had a
commissariat that was responsible for feeding the troops
• An ambulance corps looked after the wounded
• They had standardized weapons and uniforms
COLBERT’S ECONOMIC REFORMS
AND THE ROLE OF MERCANTILISM
AND OVERSEAS COLONIES
•
mercantilism – economic system based on belief that a nation’s
international power derives from its wealth
•
policies adopted by France under Jean-Baptiste Colbert (Louis XIV’s controllergeneral)
– the creation of a powerful merchant marine - which was crucial to ensure
France’s positive balance of trade
– the colonization of New France was encouraged – overseas colonies were
markets for home products and sources of cheap raw materials
– Primary goal of Colbert’s domestic taxation policy was to provide more money for
the royal treasury
– Colonial foreign trade and industries were controlled to prevent competition in
their “parent countries”
– By reducing income tax (paid by the rich) and increasing indirect taxes such as
road tolls, milling and shipping taxes, Colbert shifted the tax burden to the poor
Believed that if the rich had more money in their pockets, they would spend it on
productive goods, thus benefiting the French economy
These policies were instrumental in strengthening France’s economy, further
entrenching the power of Louis XIV
•
•
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN
LOUIS XIV’S FRANCE
• Cardinal Richelieu, a Roman Catholic Bishop, used his influence
over King Louis XIII to lay his basis for French absolutism
• Louis XIV’s efforts to centralize power challenged the authority of
the church
• 1682 King Louis XIV produced 4 articles which stripped the
papacy of its power in France, eventually the articles were
annulled
• the Papacy never again issued laws over French social, political,
or economic issues
• Henri IV had granted religious freedom to Huguenots(Edit of
Nantes), Louis XIV revoked this to unite Church & State under his
leadership
THE PALACE OF VERSAILLES AND
ABSOLUTISM, THE SUN KING
• built by Louis XIV, most splendid palace in Europe
• helped establish absolute power since it reflected his greatness,
wealth
• French nobility competed for King’s favours so they would be
invited to court, this curbed rebellion
• Also a symbol of extravagance so costly that it depleted the royal
treasury and overburdened the poor with taxes; this ultimately led
to anger, discontent, and revolution
• Called the “Sun King” because he was seen as a brilliant star,
provided warmth and light to his court & people
Jean-Baptiste Lully - Ballet de la Nuit (Ouverture)