Unit 3: Absolutism and Constitutionalism

Divine right

The belief that monarchs derive their authority directly from God, not from their subjects.

Justification of divine right

Justified absolute monarchy by claiming that questioning the king meant questioning God.

Importance of divine right

It became the ideological foundation for absolutist rule, especially under Louis XIV in France.

Jean Bodin

A 16th-century French political philosopher.

Jean Bodin's argument

Argued that only strong, undivided sovereignty could maintain order after France's Wars of Religion.

Importance of Jean Bodin

His ideas laid the groundwork for the theory of absolutism later used by monarchs and thinkers like Bossuet.

Philip IV

King of Spain (r. 1621-1665) from the Habsburg dynasty.

Philip IV's actions

Tried to centralize royal authority and maintain Spain's European dominance through wars and reforms.

Importance of Philip IV

His costly wars drained Spain's treasury and marked the decline of Spanish power in the 17th century.

Expulsion of the Moriscos

The 1609-1614 removal of Spain's Muslim converts to Christianity (Moriscos).

Impact of the expulsion

Eliminated a productive agricultural class and damaged the Spanish economy.

Importance of the expulsion

It reflected Spain's obsession with religious uniformity and contributed to its long-term decline.

Economic issues in 17th-century Spain

Widespread inflation, declining silver imports, and a shrinking population.

Impact of economic issues

Undermined Spain's ability to finance wars and maintain its empire.

Importance of economic issues

They signaled the end of Spain's dominance and the shift of power toward France and northern Europe.

Independence of the Dutch Republic & Portugal

The separation of the Dutch Netherlands and Portugal from Spanish rule in the 17th century.

Impact of this independence

The Dutch established a prosperous, Protestant republic, while Portugal restored its monarchy under the Braganza dynasty.

Importance of this independence

It marked the decline of Habsburg Spain's empire and the rise of new economic powers in Europe.

Henry IV

King of France (r. 1589-1610) and the first monarch of the Bourbon dynasty.

Henry IV's actions

Ended the French Wars of Religion by issuing the Edict of Nantes, granting limited toleration to Huguenots, and restored France's economy.

Importance of Henry IV

He laid the foundation for French absolutism by strengthening the monarchy and stabilizing the state after decades of conflict.

Cardinal Richelieu

Chief minister to King Louis XIII from 1624 to 1642.

Cardinal Richelieu's actions

Centralized royal power by weakening the nobility, curbing Huguenot political rights, and strengthening France's role in the Thirty Years' War.

Importance of Cardinal Richelieu

He transformed France into Europe's leading power and created the framework for Louis XIV's later absolutism.

Louis XIII

King of France (r. 1610-1643), who ruled under the guidance of Cardinal Richelieu.

Louis XIII's actions

Expanded royal authority, subdued rebellious nobles, and solidified centralized control through Richelieu's reforms.

Importance of Louis XIII

His reign marked the consolidation of absolute monarchy and the decline of noble independence in France.

Intendants

Royal administrative officials sent out to govern provinces on behalf of the French crown.

Intendants' duties

Collected taxes, enforced royal decrees, and monitored local nobles.

Importance of intendants

They symbolized France's growing bureaucratic state and were key to centralizing power under absolute monarchy.

Cardinal Mazarin

Successor to Cardinal Richelieu and chief minister to Louis XIV during his youth.

Cardinal Mazarin's actions

Continued Richelieu's policies of centralization, raised taxes to fund wars, and suppressed the Fronde uprisings.

Importance of Cardinal Mazarin

His conflicts with nobles during the Fronde shaped Louis XIV's distrust of the aristocracy and his later push for absolute control.

The Fronde

A series of noble-led revolts in France (1648-1653) against royal authority and Mazarin's centralization policies.

Impact of the Fronde

Temporarily destabilized France and exposed the limits of early royal power.

Importance of the Fronde

It convinced the young Louis XIV that strong, centralized control was essential — influencing his later absolutist rule.

Revocation of the Edict of Nantes

The 1685 decree by Louis XIV that ended religious toleration for Huguenots in France.

Impact of the Revocation

Forced hundreds of thousands of Protestants to flee, leading to a loss of skilled workers and merchants.

Importance of the Revocation

It reflected Louis XIV's belief in religious uniformity as a foundation for political unity, but economically weakened France.

Versailles

A magnificent palace built by Louis XIV outside of Paris.

Function of Versailles

Served as both the king's residence and a symbol of royal power, where nobles were drawn into elaborate court rituals.

Importance of Versailles

It demonstrated absolutism in practice by showcasing the king's wealth, control, and ability to domesticate the nobility through spectacle.

Louis's control of French nobles

A system where Louis XIV reduced noble power by centralizing authority and bringing them to court at Versailles.

Impact of Louis's control

Weakened local independence and replaced political influence with social prestige.

Importance of Louis's control

It ensured the nobles' loyalty to the crown and cemented Louis XIV's image as the "Sun King," the undisputed center of French political life.

Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet

A French bishop and theologian who served as court preacher to Louis XIV.

Bossuet's contribution

Defended the theory of divine right monarchy, arguing that kings ruled as God's representatives on Earth.

Importance of Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet

He provided the religious and intellectual justification for absolutism, reinforcing Louis XIV's authority as a sacred ruler.

Court life at Versailles

The daily rituals, ceremonies, and social competitions among nobles at Louis XIV's palace.

Impact of court life at Versailles

Distracted nobles with etiquette and luxury, keeping them dependent on royal favor instead of political power.

Importance of court life at Versailles

It exemplified how Louis XIV maintained control through spectacle and patronage, turning political subordination into social prestige.

System of patronage

A structure in which the king granted favors, titles, and appointments in exchange for loyalty.

Impact of the system of patronage

Created networks of dependence that tied nobles, artists, and officials directly to the crown.

Importance of the system of patronage

It strengthened absolutism by ensuring that power and advancement flowed entirely from royal favor.

Women in Louis XIV's court

Noblewomen who played major roles in courtly life through salons, patronage, and influence over appointments.

Role of women in Louis XIV's court

Acted as cultural intermediaries, promoting literature, arts, and politics through conversation and alliance-building.

Importance of women in Louis XIV's court

They shaped intellectual culture and social politics, showing how women exercised 'soft power' within absolutist structures.

Salons

Gatherings of intellectuals, writers, and nobles often hosted by elite women in their homes.

Impact of salons

Facilitated discussion of literature, philosophy, and politics outside of the king's control.

Military Revolution

A transformation in European warfare during the 16th-17th centuries.

Impact of Military Revolution

Introduced standing armies, gunpowder weapons, professional officer corps, and larger state-funded forces.

Importance of Military Revolution

It strengthened centralized monarchies like France, increased state taxation, and made war a constant feature of absolutist rule.

War of the Spanish Succession

A conflict (1701-1714) over who would inherit the Spanish throne after the death of Charles II.

Outcome of War of the Spanish Succession

Pitted France (supporting Louis XIV's grandson) against a European coalition of England, the Dutch Republic, and Austria.

Importance of War of the Spanish Succession

It marked the peak of Louis XIV's expansionism and led to limits on French ambitions through the Peace of Utrecht.

Peace of Utrecht

The 1713-1714 treaties ending the War of the Spanish Succession.

Outcome of Peace of Utrecht

Allowed Louis XIV's grandson to become king of Spain, but barred unification of the French and Spanish crowns; gave Britain Gibraltar and trade advantages.

Importance of Peace of Utrecht

It established the modern concept of a balance of power, curbing universal monarchy and elevating Britain as a major naval and commercial power.

Balance of Power

A diplomatic principle aiming to prevent any one state from dominating Europe.

Impact of Balance of Power

Led to shifting alliances and wars designed to maintain equilibrium, especially against expansionist powers like France.

Importance of Balance of Power

It became a guiding principle of European politics after 1648, shaping diplomacy into the 18th and 19th centuries.

Jean-Baptiste Colbert

France's finance minister under Louis XIV.

Actions of Jean-Baptiste Colbert

Implemented mercantilist policies: expanded manufacturing, improved infrastructure, and regulated trade to enrich the state.

Importance of Jean-Baptiste Colbert

His reforms funded Louis XIV's wars and grandeur, making France Europe's strongest economy — though heavy spending later strained it.

Mercantilism

An economic policy adopted by many European monarchies in the 17th century.

Impact of Mercantilism

Encouraged governments to regulate the economy to increase exports, accumulate bullion (gold/silver), and strengthen state power through colonies and trade monopolies.

Importance of Mercantilism

It became the dominant economic theory of absolutism, tying economic growth directly to national strength and competition.

French Expansion in North America

The establishment of colonies in Canada and along the Mississippi River during the 17th century.

Impact of French Expansion

Created a fur-trading empire and missions in Quebec and Louisiana, spreading French influence overseas.

Importance of French Expansion

It demonstrated France's global ambitions under Louis XIV and brought competition with Britain and Spain for control of the New World.

Continuing Serfdom in Central and Eastern Europe

The persistence and intensification of hereditary labor obligations on peasants in countries like Prussia, Poland, and Russia.

Impact of Continuing Serfdom

Strengthened the nobility's control over land and labor, limiting social mobility and urban development.

Importance of Continuing Serfdom

It contrasted sharply with Western Europe's economic modernization, creating a lasting East-West divide in economic and social structures.

Ferdinand II

Holy Roman Emperor from 1619 to 1637 and a key Habsburg ruler during the Thirty Years' War.

Actions of Ferdinand II

Tried to reassert Catholic dominance in the empire, revoked Protestant freedoms, and centralized Habsburg authority.

Thirty Years' War

A conflict that reshaped Central Europe through conflict and re-Catholicization.

Habsburg conquest of Hungary

The expansion of Austrian Habsburg control into Hungary after defeating the Ottoman Empire in the late 1600s.

Impact of the conquest

Extended Habsburg influence deep into southeastern Europe and incorporated Hungary into the Austrian Empire.

Importance of the conquest

It solidified Austria as a major power in Central Europe and marked the decline of Ottoman influence in the region.

Hungarian nobility

The powerful landowning class in the Kingdom of Hungary under Habsburg rule.

Role of the Hungarian nobility

Maintained significant privileges and resisted Habsburg attempts at centralization, often in exchange for military service against the Ottomans.

Importance of the Hungarian nobility

Their autonomy limited absolutist control in Hungary, showing that not all regions of the Habsburg Empire were fully centralized.

Hohenzollerns

A German noble family that ruled Brandenburg-Prussia and later became kings of Prussia.

Actions of the Hohenzollerns

Consolidated power through military strength, bureaucratic efficiency, and alliances with the Junker nobility.

Importance of the Hohenzollerns

They built Prussia into a strong, centralized, militarized state that became a dominant power in Europe.

Elector

One of seven princes or archbishops of the Holy Roman Empire with the right to elect the emperor.

Role of electors

Held significant prestige and autonomy within the empire, balancing between imperial authority and local power.

Importance of electors

The position of Elector of Brandenburg, held by the Hohenzollerns, became the political foundation for Prussian state-building.

Frederick William, the Great Elector

Ruler of Brandenburg-Prussia from 1640 to 1688.

Actions of Frederick William

Centralized authority, built a strong standing army, and struck a deal with the Junkers to fund his state in exchange for their dominance over peasants.