Unit 3- Absolutism and Constitutionalism

What is the time period for unit 3

1648-1815

Absolutist

A political system where a single ruler holds supreme authority, often justified by divine right, and exercises control over all aspects of governance without checks or balances.

The rise of Absolutist States

1.) The weakened influence of the church

• also Protestants don’t like the church so they are willing to support anyone else

2.) Expanding Merchant Classes

• wanted economic stability and an absolute monarch could provide that

Louis XIV (14th)

• Best example of an absolute Monarch (France)

• Ruled for 70 years

• “Sun King”

• “I am the State”

How did Louis 14 Centralize Power?

• removed taxes from parliments so they had to obey him (gave peasants all the taxes)

• built Versailles and moved nobels there to keep them under control

• revoked Edict of Nantes and had any protestants who wouldn’t convert move out

Who was Colbert?

A finance minister under Louis XIV who promoted economic reforms, strengthened the merchant class, and sought to enhance France's wealth through mercantilism.

Mercantilism

• increase in countries store of gold by having more exports than imports

• belief that their is only a fixed amount of gold and silver in the world so you get richer while someone else gets poorer

English Civil War

A series of conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists in England from 1642 to 1651, culminating in the trial and execution of King Charles I and the establishment of a commonwealth.

James I

• Guy in the lead-up to the English Civil War

• wanted to be an absoulute monarch but couldnt really do anything cuz of the Magna Carta

Charles I

• second guy in English Civil War

• wasn’t getting along with parliment so he resolved them

• then her brought them back (Long Parliment) and parliment gave him rules

  • meetings evry 3 years

  • Militia Ordiance- parilament can have it’s own army

What happened after Charles I brought the parliment back?

• they made new laws making the King mad

• led to a fight between the Cavaliers (Kings supporters) and the Roundheads (parliment)

Oliver Cromwell

• became the leader of the Roundheads during the English Civil War

• He eventually ruled England as a military leader and was huge in the execution of Charles I

• Then he kinda went off the deep end and resolved parliment, prohibited drinking and dancing and died in 1658

Charles II

• fourth guy after Oliver Cromwell’s death

• returned England to normal “restoration period”

  • Back to a hereditary monarch, small power in parliment, Anglican Church

James II

• 5th and last Stuart King

• Appointed Catholics to parliament

• realized he was bad and fled and gave up throne

William + Mary

• “Glorious Revolution”- monarchy change without any blood shed

• Finaly esablished a true constitutional monarchy

• got rid of the divine right of king

• came up with the English Bill of Rights

English Bill of Rights

• Parliament gives taxes

• laws could not be dismissed by monarchs

Dutch Golden Age

• Dutch super rich bc good at trading and realized the ineffectiveness of the mercantilist system

• Big win against Philip of Spain brought in nationalism

• Dutch were tolerant to other religions!!

• Had a good leader William of Orange who wasn’t absoulutist

What is the main important war from Louis IVX

The War of the Spanish Succession, a major conflict over the succession to the Spanish throne.

War of Spanish Succession

• Louis grandson Philip V becomes King and Spain and Louis the 14 wants to unite with him

• People worried abt France having to much power

• Ended with the Treaty of Utrecht

• An important war because now wars aren’t about religion but about a balance of power

Treaty of Urecht

Philip V was recognized as the King of Spain, affirming his right to the throne while ensuring that France and Spain would remain separate to maintain the balance of power in Europe.

Agricultural Revolution

A period of significant agricultural development marked by innovations in farming techniques, leading to increased food production and population growth that started in Britain

• The Columbian exchange brought the potato leading to less food shortages

Economic Developments?

• workers wage’s increased

• Cottage Industry- goods for purchase made in peoples homes

• Putting out system- merchants buy raw materials, pay people to transform them into goods, sell them for profit

Order of Kings in the English Civil War

1.) Charles I

2.) Oliver Cromwell

3.) Charles II

4.) James II

5.) William + Mary ended it

What are features of an absolutist state?

Features of an absolutist state include centralized government control, a monarchy that wields unrestricted power, lack of checks and balances, and often a belief in the divine right of kings, and Catholic.