Chapter 16 Absolutism Section 2 Absolutism in France and Spain

Foundations and Formation of Absolutism in France

Absolutism: form of government in which a ruler exercised absolute power over virtually all facets: Government and Law Religion Economic Policy Military Culture

Recall: 15th Century New Monarchs (Henry VII of England, Louis XI Spider King of France, Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain)

Increasingly centralized power of monarchy (state)o Reduced nobility and clergy authorityo Established bureaucracyo Henry VIII and Star Chamber

Expedient and Partial Court that Tried , Tortured, and Convicted Nobility Expanded Economy Religious Intervention

o Spain and Inquisition/Reconquista THESE ARE NOT ABSOLUTE MONARCHS

16 th and 17 th Century Economic, Social, and Political Crises Create Desperate Need For Even Stronger Leadership

KING HENRY IV/ HENRY THE GREAT/ HENRY OF NAVARRE -BEGINNING OF BOURBON DYNASTY

PRIOR TO HENRY, STRONG NOBLES AND WEAK MONARCHY

-EDICT OF NANTES -ENDS RELIGIOUS WARS

-APPOINTED PROTESTANT CHIEF MINISTER: THE DUKE OF SULLY-LOWERED TAXES ON PEASANTS

AND AVOIDED WAR-FED HIS PEOPLE

-INCREASED OVERSEAS TRADE

-BEGAN TO CURTAIL POWER OF NOBILITY

-KING HENRY IV WAS ASSASSINATED BY RADICAL MONK

The Consolidation of Absolute Power Begins

King: Louis XIII- 9 Years Old Chief Minister: Cardinal Richelieu

Richelieu Goals: Centralize Royal Power/Dominance and Weaken Power of Habsburgs (Spain and HRE)A. Intendant System

i. Divide France into 32 districtsii. Appoint an intendant to govern as extension of monarch

a. Recruited for Armyb. Collected Taxes (Taille)c. Spied on Nobility and Quickly responded to uprisings

iii. Diminished Power of Nobility and Strengthened Power of Monarchyiv. Efficiently Suppressed Protestantism and Uprisings

i. La Rochelle: City of Huguenot military and political uprising1. Richelieu laid siege to city2. Destroyed Walls and Disciplined City Officials3. Celebrated Catholic Mass4. Displays Dominance of National Government

B. Foreign Policyi. CATHOLIC France’s Support of Protestant Forces in 30 Years War

i. Sole Purpose of Weakening the Power of the Austrian and Spanish Habsburgs.

King Louis XIV: Child King at Age 4

Chief Minister Cardinal Jules Mazarin-Continues Centralizing Policies of Richelieu

The Fronde-Uprising against Monarchy by French Nobility

-Nobles of the Robe- Nobles as they gained wealth-Nobles of the Sword- Hereditary Nobles

-Purpose: To Limit the Power of the Monarchy-Louis XIV is forced to flee and vows to strengthen control

The Absolute Rule of King Louis XIV -Groomed from Birth-The Sun King: CENTER AND LIGHT OF HIS PEOPLE

-Tutored by Bishop Jacques-Benigne Bossuet

- Divine Right Theory-God established him as king-Therefore only answers to God-NO desire to share power with anyone

-Chose new nobles/ upper middle class to serve in government

ABSOLUTE QUOTES “It is legal because I wish it” “L'etat c'est moi”, “I am the state”

ABSOLUTE CONTROL: Religion EDICT OF FOUNTAINE BLEAU: “One King, One Law, One Faith”

-Suppressed Protestantism especially Huguenots in France-Edict of Fountainebleau

-Reversed (Henry IV) Grandfather’s Edict of Nantes-Closed Huguenot Institutions-Baptized former Huguenots-Exiled Huguenot Priests

ABSOLUTE CONTROL: Government-Maintained Local Institutions and the Intendant System-Did not diminish Nobility or limit their power at local level-Maintained loyalty through bribery and COURT LIFE

ABSOLUTE CONTROL: Palace of Versailles, Nobility, and Court Life

THE PALACE OF VERSAILLES

-Palace that was Home to Louis XIV’s Court and Government

-Symbol of King/France’s Wealth, Power, and Grandeur

Purpose of Versailles:-10-20% of National Budget to Construct-26 Acres, 700 Rooms, and 67 Staircases-6,000 Paintings-2,100 Paintings-Mirrors, Gold trim, etc.

*Required attendance of Nobility (Became an Honor to be Invited)* Used to Manipulate AND Domesticate Nobility to obsess over courting the King’s favor

-INSTEAD OF Worrying and Conspiring About Politics and Power-Caused French Culture to grow in prestige and nations mimicked Versailles.

ABSOLUTE WAR: King Louis XIV’s WarsTwo strategic goals:

Expand France to its natural frontiers along the Rhine River and Switzerland Make France a global power by inheriting the Spanish Habsburg possessions

At war for 33/54 Yearso -Marquis de Louvois (Secretary of State for War)o -Created Permanent Army of over a quarter million disciplined soldierso -Uniforms, weapons, training, promotions became standardizedo -Encouraged Loyalty and Professionalism

Wars-War of the League of Devolution

-Invaded Spanish Netherlands-Triple Alliance (Dutch, English, Swedes) defeated Louis XIV

-Dutch War- Invaded United Provinces-Another alliance (Brandenburg, Spain, HRE) forced end of war

-War of the League of Augsburg-League (Spain, HRE, United Provinces, Sweden, England)

***Trivial Gains if any, at the expense of FAMINE AND ECONOMIC DEPRESSION***

-War of the Spanish Succession-Habsburg ruler Charles II leaves throne to Louis XIV Grandson: Phillip V-Grand Alliance (England, United Provinces, Habsburg Austria, German States)

-Feared France would become too powerful-Peace of Utrecht

-Ended 10 year war-Louis grandson allowed to King of Spain

-French and Spanish Crowns could never uniteABSOLUTE CONTROL: Economy

French Financial Management: Jean Baptiste Colbert-Controller General -Mercantilism

-Wealth based on supply of gold and silver-Build up supply by:

-Exporting large amounts to other nations-Importing very few products

-Promote domestic production of French needs-Promoted Land Expansion

-Canada -> Mississippi River -> Louisiana.*GENIUS WHO KEEPS TAXES FROM BEING RAISED DESPITE CONSTANT WARFARE*

ABSOLUTE LEGACY Legacy of Louis XIV-Left France bankrupt, starved, and exhausted-Tells his 5 year old grandson

“Live in peace with the nations…relieve the burdens of your people, in which I have been so unfortunate to fail”

Decline of Spain WHY?-Declining Trade with Colonies

-Silver mines dry up-Monarch Expenditures highly exceed Revenue= DEBT-Inflation-No Skilled Working Class

-Culture: moneymaking occupations are not honorable-Reconquista- expelled 300,000 Muslim Craftsmen

-Agriculture Decreases-High Rents and Taxes drove peasants from Land

-30 Years War and defeat-Loss Territory-Left Spain Politically Isolated