1. Who is in the painting?

2. What do you think is going on in the painting? Take note of the background.

3. What is the message of the painting? For example, why did the author paint this?

• The Concept Definition– Absolutism is a term that

refers to a form of monarchy in which political sovereignty and government power is located in a monarch who rules by divine right without any checks or balances.

• Critical Attributes– Divine Right to rule– Political sovereignty:

centralized control of all aspects of government including:• economy, war, domestic, and

foreign affairs.

– A lack of checks and balances on political power

Enlightened Despot• enlightened despotism also called

benevolent despotism • a form of government in the 18th

century in which absolute monarchs pursued legal, social, and educational reforms inspired by the Enlightenment.

• They typically instituted administrative reform, religious toleration, and economic development but did not propose reforms that would undermine their sovereignty or disrupt the social order.

• Among the most prominent enlightened despots were – Frederick II (the Great) of Prussia –

1740-1786– Peter I (the Great) of Russia – 1682-

1725– Catherine II (the Great) of Russia –

1762-1796– Maria Theresa of Hapsburg Austria –

1740-1780– Joseph II of Hapsburg Austria –

1765-1790– Leopold II of Hapsburg Austria –

1790-1792

Wars of Religiono French Wars of Religion

o 1562-1598o Civil War between the Catholic

League and the Protestant Uniono Henry, King of Navarre, would

become King Henry IV of France – baptised a Catholic then converted to Protestantism he would convert back to Catholicism upon become King of France

o His Edict of Nantes in 1598 brought and end to the Wars of Religion in France

o Death rates estimated between 2-4 million

o The Thirty Years Waro 1618-1648o Began as a war between Catholics and

Protestants in the Holy Roman Empire (Germany) – would evolve into a war to contain the Habsburgs’ (the ruling family of Austria) power

o At various points would include all the major powers of Europe

o The most destructive war in European history until WWI (or debatably the Napoleonic Wars according to some estimates)

o Death rates estimated between 3-11.5 million

Desire for Absolute Monarchs• The Wars of Religion as a

result of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation had killed millions

• Many wanted a strong leader who would unite the country and end the violence

• Willing to give up powers and freedoms to the Monarch to ensure peace and stability

Background to Absolutism in France• Groundwork had been

laid by Louis XIII and his most trusted minister, Cardinal Richelieu– French government was

centralized– Protestants were

suppressed– A network of spies was

established to control any uprisings of the nobility

Louis XIII 1610-43

Cardinal Richelieu

“If you give me six lines written by the most honest man, I will find something in them to hang him.”

Louis XIV • King Louis XIII and Cardinal

Richelieu died five months apart• Louis XIV would become king at

the age of four• France would be run by Cardinal

Mazarin during Louis’ childhood• Mazarin, like Richelieu before

him, continued the reforms to centralize power in France

• Upon his death in 1661 Louis XIV would assume full control of France at the age of 22

Louis XIV in 1661

Cardinal Mazarin

Louis XIV – The Sun King• L’état, c’est moi – I am the state• Louis will build on the foundation

of Absolutism laid by his father, Richelieu, and Mazarin

• He will come to control all aspects of French society including:– Religion– Economics– The Military– Culture

Versailles• The greatest embodiment of Louis’ power was

his great palace of Versailles which began as his father’s hunting lodge, and grew into the greatest palace in Europe

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X235vpOToVU&feature=player_embedded

Wars of Louis XIVEarly Wars• Throughout much of his reign

Louis XIV found himself in almost constant warfare with his European neighbours including:– War of Devolution 1667-68– Third Anglo-Dutch War 1672-

78– Annexation of Alsace &

Lorraine 1681– War of the League of Augsburg

1689-97• France would be the supreme

power in Europe during this time

War of Spanish Succession 1701-13• Last major war fought by Louis• All the major powers of Europe allied against

France to ensure his grandson would not inherit the Spanish throne and thus unite it with France

• The Peace of Utrecht in 1713 and Peace of Rastadt in 1714 would end this war with France accepting very unfavourable terms

• England – now Great Britain – would gain lands including Gibraltar on the tip of Spain and Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Hudson Bay territory in Canada

• A new German state would also be created - Prussia would become the most powerful state in central Europe eventually uniting all the German states into the new nation of Germany

Truly Absolutism?• Louis, like many other Absolute Rulers, was not

legally bound to any other persons or institutions but:– was dependent on advisors & bureaucrats– had to compromise with vested interests– could be undone by local custom– could be resisted by lawyers, nobles, ecclesiastics, hereditary

officeholders, etc.– had to deal with slow transportation & communication which

was not very efficient

Characteristics of a Modern State• maintains order & security within the state• raises, controls and supports armies for use

against other states • no regard for other countries’ policies • peace at home, war abroad