THE EARLY MODERN AGE: THE ANCIEN REGIME

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE EARLY MODERN AGE

It began in 1492 with the discovery of America and it ended in 1789 with the outbreak of the French Revolution.

Changes brought about the establishment of the Ancien Régime. Discovery and conquest of new lands increased

economic, social and cultural exchange. Stronger monarchies. Open economy dependent on trade. Estates

system: nobility has social power and bourgeoisie has economic power.

Art: Renaissance and Baroque.

THE AGE OF DISCOVERY

The fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks in 1453 interrupted traditional transport and trade routes between Europe and Asia.

New routes to East Asia by Spain and Portugal which were successful because of three factors:

Much previous experience sailing along the coasts of Africa. Use of the caravels. Use of compasses and more accurate maps.

After Columbus' discovery, Spain and Portugal fought for control of the Atlantic trade routes. In 1494, they signed the treaty of Tordesillas, which divided the world in two zones.

CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISCOVERIES

In Europe (Mostly economic and social)

Much gold and silver were brought so that the currencies were devalued and the price of goods increased.

New agricultural products were imported so that the people's diet changed.

European production increased because of the exports. Advances in cartography, navigation, geography, science and technology.

In the new world (More social and cultural)

New plants and livestock imported from Europe. Colonists brought diseases as smallpox and infuenza. Slaves were imported from africa to provide labour. New ethnic groups appeared. Spanish language, culture and Catholicism were spread to the new world.

MONARCHY DURING THE EARLY MODERN AGE

Authoritarian monarchy (16th century)

They had forced the nobility to accept their authority but they also had to respect institutions which could limit their power.

They implemented various measures to govern their kingdoms more effectively: They unified all the territories that were under their control. They established administrative unity for the entire kingdom. They created royal armies to end their dependence on the nobility for military

support. 

From 1516 to 1598 Spain became a global imperial power with kings such as Carlos I and Felipe II

Absolute monarchy (17th century)

The crown had unlimited authority which was believed to come from God. Thye exerted this authority in various ways: They didnt allow representative bodies which could limit the crown's power. They controlled the government and economy of their kingdoms. They expanded the army to increase their control. 

During the 17th century (Ruled by Lesser Hapsburgs, Felipe III, Felipe IV and Carlos II) Spain's power began to decline because the defeat in the thirty years war and Portugal‘s success in winning its independence from the Spanish crown.

 

Parliamentary monarchy

In England, there was a civil war in the 1640s between supporters of the king and supporters of Parliament. As a result, the absolute monarchy was replaced by a republic under the control of Oliver Cromwell.

After his death, there was “The glorious revolution” in 1688 and the absolute monarchy was changed to a parliamentary monarchy in which the monarch's powers were limited by parliament.

COMMERCIAL CAPITALISM AND MERCANTILISM

Developments which encouraged economic growth and the emergence of capitalism.

Workshops and domestic system. Establishment of banks. New commercial and financial practices.

Commercial capitalism enabled private businesses to accumulate profits, especially through trade.

Mercantilism was based on the idea that a country’s wealth depended on how much gold and silver it possessed.

EARLY MODERN SOCIETY

The estates of the realm continued to be the dominant form of social organisation in Europe.

The upper middle class or bourgeoisie became richer and more powerful as the European economy prospered.

The lower middle class or petite bourgeoisie declined because they could not compete with new forms of production.

The peasantry suffered because of poor harvests, rising prices and the higher taxes.

RENAISSANCE AND BAROQUE ART These social and cultural changes led

to the emergence of these styles. Development of humanism. Monarchs use art and architecture to

proclaim their renewed authority. Bourgeoisie uses its wealth to commission

or buy new works of art. Reformation of the Catholic Church. Protestant Church. Counter-Reformation.

RENAISSANCE ART It developed during the 15th and 16th

centuries. It refers to the rebirth of Ancient Greek and Roman traditions in art and architecture.

The sculpture reflects the principles of humanism through its realistic images of the human body.

BAROQUE ART It developed during the 17th and 18th

centuries. It is characterised by natural forms and

abundant decorative elements, which create a sensation of drama and movement.