ABSOLUTISM

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

ABSOLUTISM DEFINED

Brainstorm a list of 5 rulers who you think fit this definition

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 SwedenFrederick the Great of Prussia

Henry VIII and Elizabeth I of England

FAMOUS ABSOLUTIST RULERS

• monarchs ruled by divine right, accountable to no one but God; not limited by constitutions or parliaments

THE DEVINE RIGHT OF KINGS

• 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

• 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

Cardinal Richelieu:CARDINAL RICHELIEU

• 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

MILITARY REFORMS

• 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 controller-general)– 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

COLBERT’S ECONOMIC REFORMS AND THE ROLE OF

MERCANTILISM AND OVERSEAS COLONIES

• 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 CATHOLIC CHURCH IN LOUIS XIV’S FRANCE

• 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

THE PALACE OF VERSAILLES AND ABSOLUTISM, THE SUN

KING

Jean-Baptiste Lully - Ballet de la Nuit (Ouverture)