Absolutism
Source 1: Document 14.1 - Emperor Kangzi, “Reflections” (1671-1672) [Nick D’Angelo]
What challenges to the effective exercise of state authority does Kangxi identify in
this document?
• Kangxi has to deal with unruly and corrupt officials, like Hu Chien-ching, who was a
prominent subdirector of the Sacrificial Court of Worship whose family terrorized
the area where they lived, stealing land and women and killing people who were
falsely accused of being thieves; he was sentenced to death. Also, he must trust on
his official to deliver reliable information about his large kingdom to him, but when
the officials are not honest (like Cho-ts’e and Hsu-sheng), or if they are in cliques
trying to protect eachothers’ jobs by lying, he must make inquiries to other
officials/officers about the men that are supposed to be doing their jobs.
How would you describe Kangxi’s style of governance or his posture toward imperial
rule?
• From this document, Kangxi appears to be a quite fair and just ruler. He reviews all of
the death sentences that are sent to him, making sure they are correct in giving the
death sentence to the criminal. He also takes tours of his land, asking peasants
about their officials, listening to complaints/suggestions from them, and looking at
and discussing their homes and crops. He also checks and double checks any sort of
calculations that come into his hands for review, such as tax information or even
information from the Bureau of Astronomy about eclipses and other phenomena.
Look carefully at the second paragraph of this document. Why did Kangxi impose a
harsher penalty on Hu Chien-ching than the one originally given?
• Kangxi imposes the death penalty on Hu Chien-ching and his family in their native place
instead of a 3 year exile. He does this in hope that “all the local gentry might learn
how i regarded such behavior.” In other words, he wants to instill fear, as well as
respect, into his people.
What does this document suggest about the sources of Kangxi’s authority?
• This document suggests that Kangxi was probably a high-ranking official in government,
from a wealthy family, and that he displayed the dominance that was required to be
emperor, and so he inherited the throne, possibly by family ties to royalty.
Source 2: Document 14.2 - Jahangir, “Memoirs,” (1605-1627) [Nick D’Angelo]
Why do you think Jahangir mounted such an elaborate coronation celebration for
himself?
• Jahangir probably put together such an elaborate celebration to show how he was the
almighty ruler of India, the “world-subduing emperor, world-subduing king.” He
calls his crowning as emperor a victory for India, and so he goes to extreme
measures making sure everyone else knows that too.
In what ways did Jahangir seek to ensure the effective authority over the state?
• Jahangir, once in power, administered several regulations to ensure that he had total
control and power. Some policies he created were: cancellation of all revenue taxes
or duties, and he was to have the say of where and when towns will be built.
In what ways was Jahangir a distinctly Muslim ruler? In what respects did he and his
father depart from Islamic principles?
• Jahangir and, specifically his father Akbar, being Muslim, were expected to destroy Hindu
places of worship and persecute the Hindu people. But, as Akbar told his son, it is
much wiser to just leave the Hindu people alone. Akbar reasoned that he, like all
other creatures on Earth, were all designed by God to co-exist peacefully. Also, he
said that the Hindis have produced men who are “usefully engaged” in the sciences
or the arts, and they can be a benefit for mankind.
How would you compare the problems Jahangir faced with those of Kangxi?
• Jahangir and Kangxi faced similar challenges when rising to power. They both had to
accept long-lasting cultures and belief systems: Jahangir had to accept Hinduism,
and Kangxi had to relate to Confucianism. They both had to implement new laws
and change their dominant style of ruling to accept other traditions other than their
own.
Source 3: Document 14.3 - Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq, “The Turkish Letters,”
(155501562) [Dominik Lalik]
How do you think Busbecq’s outsider status shaped his perceptions of Ottoman
political and military life? To what extent does his role as a foreigner enhance or
undermine the usefulness of his account for Historians?
• Busbecq’s outsider status greatly influenced his perception of the Ottoman Empire’s
political and military life because he was greatly concerned about its expansion into
Austria, the country of his origin. In a way, his outside perception enhances the
understanding one can have about the Ottoman’s military operations since the
author compares Turkish soldiers to Christian soldiers that “refuse to put up with
their ordinary food,” in contrast to the thrift and adapting Turkish military man. He
states that this is a reason for The Ottoman’s military success, their skilled soldiers
that are able to adapt. As a foreign that is concerned about the Turkish expansion,
Busbecq can also undermine the usefulness of his account since he represents the
country that may be taken over by Turkish forces, and the reader of the document
can get a sense of Austrian Nationalistic pride from the author.
How did he define the differenced between Ottoman Empire and Austria? What do
you think he hoped to accomplish by highlighting these differences?
• The author defines the differences between Austria and The Ottoman Empire strictly on
a military basis, including the habits of soldiers and reasons for success. Turkish
soldiers are stated to be disciplined, adaptive and humble while European soldiers
are portrayed as luxurious and ill-disciplined fighters whose mentality would lead
to defeat upon a war with Turkey. By highlighting these differences, Busbecq hoped
to warn Europe about the power that the Ottoman Empire contained in its military
as well as concurrently implying that Europe must build a stronger defense system
against the Ottoman upon attack.
What sources of Ottoman political authority are apparent in Busbecq’s account?
• Busbecq’s account of The Ottoman Empire from a European perspective holds evidence
of an Absolutistic rule throughout the Empire. The excerpt, “After having gone
through a pretense of kissing his hand, we were conducted backward the wall
opposite his seat, care being taken that we should never turn our backs on him,”
clearly depicts a absolute monarch because of the actions the Austrian diplomat was
required to perform upon greeting the ruler. In fact, these actions are typical of a
monarchic ruler, and they imply the political system that was in place, Absolutism.
What potential problem of the Ottoman Empire does this document imply or state?
• The writer clearly reflects on a major problem of the Ottoman state, which is the
succession to the throne in the Empire explaining the order in which things are
handled with Sultan’s son upon succession. He is required to imbrue his hands in the
blood of his nearest relatives because of the conduct of the Janissaries and the
outcome of their survival in wars. Much is dependent on the Janissaries because
they can alter the way the Sultan can be in power, and this can cause cracks in the
Ottoman Absolutism.
Source 4: Document 14.4 - Louis XIV, “Memoirs,” (1670) [Alec Dotto]
What posture does Louis take towards his subject in this document?
• Louis XIV viewed his subjects as lowly, compared to him. This might seem egotistical but
absolutism was founded on this notion that all rule was that of the monarch’s. He
was a king and a king shall always be the ultimate ruler. Everyone serves Louis XIV
no else is above except the Lord. He is quoted many times saying “ L’etat c’est moi”
which in English means “I am the state”.
How does he understand the role of spectacle in general and the carousel in
particular?
• Louis XIV wants to make his subjects feel, to experience, his true magnificence. This is
why he poises himself as a Roman emperor and holds extravagant parties and
pageants. Spectacle for him is very important because in a way it justifies to his
people, through the carousel and the profligate things involved, why he is in control;
because he is so rich, wealthy, and powerful to throw a carousel.
What choice as the sun as the royal symbol suggest about Louis’s conception of his
role in the French state and empire?
• In our world the sun is the most powerful thing; Louis XIV used this symbol to represent
his own power. Absolutism is shown through this sun as his crest, and it gave his
subjects a sense of gratitude towards him because he was the one who gave them
life; like the sun gives life to the Earth.
Source 5: Document 14.5 - Jean- Baptiste Colbert, “Instructions for Intendants ,” (1680)
[Dominic LoPiccolo]
What was the main purpose of the intendants according to this document?
• The main purpose according to this document was to inform the intendants, or
government officials, that they must report to The King any information that will
allow him to relieve his people as far as taxes are concerned. “The King intends that
as soon as you read this letter, you should begin your visit to each of the elections in
your generality”. As said, the King wanted the intendants to visit each of the election
to determine anything from the quality of the livestock, to the amount of prisoners
who have been arrested concerning land tax.
What kind of opposition do you expect the intendants experienced?
• It can be suggested that the intendants experienced much opposition from the people. It
is likely that the people do not want th intendants snooping around in their personal
“business” especially because the people are angry for being taxed in the first place.
The author mentioned that the intendants must watch out for not authorized
coinage, and the intendants may be facing the most opposition from the people who
are participating in illegal activities.
Source 6: Kocu Bey, “An Ottoman Official Offers Advice and a Warning to the Sultan,” (1630)
[Dominic LoPiccolo]
According to Bey, where does the Sultan ultimately derive his authority from?
• The Sultan ultimately derives his authority from the emperor of God. He asks that the
Sultan gives attention to the men of religion who attend to the affairs to the subjects
entrusted to the emperor of God.
After the position of Sultan, who are the most important members of the Ottoman
society?
• After the Sultan the most important members of the Ottoman society are the men of
religion and the soldiers who give up their lives in the Holy Wars.
How is the Sultan expected to use his authority to rule?
• The Sultan is expected to treat all his subjects as equals. It is said that is injustice is done
to any individual, then it is the King who must be reckoned on the Day of Judgement.
Outline:
Principles of absolutist rule
• The monarch is the highest most important power
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China
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The Mandate of Heaven is the purest form of this power implementation
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France
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Louis XIV quote: “L’etat c’est moi” / “I am the state”
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Ottoman Empire
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Suleiman I shows signs of Absolutistic rule when the author of “The
Turkish Letters,” writes, “After having gone through a pretense of
kissing his hand, we were conducted backward the wall opposite his
seat, care being taken that we should never turn our backs on him.”
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2. The monarch needs to show and flaunt his power/wealth to maintain legitimacy
China
Leaders wore silk, and materials that represented their wealth, and they
also held the power to excommunicate people for any reason that the
ruler feels is sufffiecient.
France
Louis XIV’s carousel or pageant which was an extravagant display of
wealth in the forms of exotic animals, princes, all dressed in various
costumes.
Ottoman Empire
“The Sultan was seated on a very low ottoman...which was covered with a
quantity of costly rugs and cushions of exquisite workmanship; near
him lay his bow and arrows.” This symbolizes wealth and power,
respectively.
3. Every major issue was eventually decided by the monarch
China
The Mandate of Heaven allows the ruler to determine the best for the state
France
Louis the XIV quote applies to this principle as well because again, “[he] is
the state” therefore everything eventually is decided by him.
Ottoman Empire
“The Turkish Letters” did not directly state the Sultans power, but since the
Sultan composed an army of his choice and size, he also led the
Empire politically since they were the most advanced military force of
the time. By controlling the most prominent piece of the Empire, its
obvious he ruled politically.
4. Subjects serve the monarch and he serves his subjects
France
Not much was mentioned in the document towards this applied more to
the Turkish culture
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Ottoman Empire
It is obvious that the subjects serve the monarch in the Empire since there
is a whole implemented system that differs from European norms on
how you could not be born into wealth as a Turk. The recognition of
your work for the monarch determined the standing in social class
you had.
5. Monarchs have the divine right to rule
China
Mandate of Heaven
France
Because of the intense religious influence and the non-existence of
separation of church and state, kings were giving the “right” to rule by
God himself. Of course at that time no one would question the word of
God.
Ottoman Empire
In the Quran, the Sultan’s power was stated as a ruler that carries moral
weight and religious authority, but is not a preacher of the faith,
rather a peace keeper. In the OttomanEmpire, this is evident by how
the people respected him upon entering the same room as him.
What were the conditions that led to absolute rule?
• Severe problems in society caused the monarchy to seize power in order to re-establish
order in the empire
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France
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Problems in society:
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Lack of respect for law and authority
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Religious wars that tore apart France
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