AP_Euro_U3_AMSCO

European History: Absolutism and Constitutionalism (c. 1648 to c. 1815)

Unit 3 Overview

Focuses on state-building, political power distribution, and significant institutional changes in governance throughout Europe during the Early Modern period.

Contextualizing State Building (Topic 3.1)

Key Changes from 1648 to 1815

• Religious Reformations: Resulted in widespread conflict and fragmentation of religious authority, leading to political and social instability across Europe. The Protestant Reformation prompted wars such as the Thirty Years' War, which devastated large parts of central Europe.

• Emergence of Capitalism: A paradigm shift occurred as agricultural and commercial capitalism took root, replacing feudal and medieval institutions. This transition laid the groundwork for modern economic theories and practices.

• Local Government Development: The establishment of secular laws allowed for a gradual transfer of power from ecclesiastical authorities to the state, shaping modern governance and legal systems.

• Political Structures: New forms of governance emerged, characterized by centralized power structures, which often clashed with existing feudal systems. Absolutism became more prominent, particularly in France under Louis XIV.

Struggles Against Political Centralization

• 17th Century Conflicts: Monarchs faced significant challenges from nobles striving to retain shared power. Wars of the Fronde in France illustrated the social and political tensions of the time.

• Agricultural Revolution: Innovations in farming techniques led to increased productivity, which undermined the traditional power of landed aristocrats and empowered rising city merchants and the burgeoning middle class.

• Rise of National Identity: Intense conflicts revealed varying cultural resistances to central authority, stimulating movements toward self-governance and national unity, particularly in territories like the Netherlands and Scotland.

Differing Sovereignty Models

• Absolute Monarchies: Predicated on the divine right of kings, these monarchies faced challenges from Enlightenment thinkers advocating for social contracts and popular sovereignty. Historical examples include Louis XIV in France, whose reign epitomized absolute rule.

• Constitutional Monarchy: England experienced a transformation during the English Civil War which resulted in the establishment of constitutional monarchy characterized by the rule of law and parliamentary sovereignty, especially after the Glorious Revolution.

• Oligarchies: The Dutch Republic exemplified a different model with power vested in select societal classes, creating a unique political structure marked by a remarkable degree of civic and economic freedom.

The English Civil War and Glorious Revolution (Topic 3.2)

Causes of the Civil War

• The aspiration for absolute monarchy by the Stuart kings incited deep conflict with Parliament, particularly over issues of taxation and religious authority.

• Notable events included King Charles I’s attempts to govern without Parliament, his imposition of unpopular religious policies, and the ensuing clashes between Parliamentary forces (Roundheads) and Royalists (Cavaliers). The culmination of this conflict led to the historic execution of Charles I (1649), a monumental event underscoring the shift toward parliamentary authority.

The Glorious Revolution

• This bloodless revolution resulted in the overthrow of James II and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy under William of Orange and Mary II. Their acceptance of the English Bill of Rights (1689) marked a definitive end to absolutism in England, reinforcing parliamentary sovereignty and increasing civil liberties, thus setting a precedent for modern democratic governance.

Economic Practices and Changes (Topic 3.3)

Agricultural Revolution

• Advances such as crop rotation and the introduction of new farming tools, like the seed drill, significantly boosted agricultural efficiency, prompting major labor shifts from rural to urban centers as people sought jobs in burgeoning industries.

• The resultant increase in food production provided the sustenance necessary for population growth and urban economic activities, fueling the early stages of the Industrial Revolution.

Market and Trade Growth

• The development of the cottage industry served as a precursor to the Industrial Revolution, fostering small-scale manufacturing within households before larger factory systems emerged.

• Increased wealth due to overseas trade, bolstered by exploration and colonization efforts, shifted economic power towards nations that established global trade networks.

• The emergence of new banking systems following the Commercial Revolution allowed for unprecedented financial expansion and the rise of capitalist economies.

Economic Development and Mercantilism (Topic 3.4)

• Mercantilism defined European economic policies of the period, advocating for an active state role in regulating trade to achieve a favorable balance of trade, which inevitably led to imperial expansion.

• Colonization not only enriched European powers through the acquisition of new resources for their manufacturing industries but also fueled social and demographic changes due to reliance on the transatlantic slave trade, which had profound implications for colonized societies.

The Dutch Golden Age (Topic 3.5)

Factors of Development

• The resistance to Spanish authority catalyzed the Dutch pursuit of independence, facilitating economic prosperity through trade.

• The establishment of the Dutch East India Company exemplified innovative approaches to trade and colonial administration, contributing significantly to the wealth and power of the Dutch Republic during this period.

• The era also heralded a flourishing of cultural advancements in art and philosophy, characterized by figures such as Rembrandt and Spinoza, which greatly influenced European culture at the time.

Balance of Power (Topic 3.6)

Political and Military Responses

• Following the Peace of Westphalia, a new balance of power diplomacy emerged, redefining European political landscapes. The shifting dynamics due to military advancements often influenced alliances, leading to prolonged conflicts such as the War of Spanish Succession.

Absolutist Approaches to Power (Topic 3.7)

Nature of Absolutism

• Absolute rulers, notably Louis XIV, exemplified the theories of divine right, heavily concentrating power and influence over governance and societal norms. His reign epitomized how an absolute monarch could assert control over both his kingdom and its cultural identity.

• The eventual failures of absolutism in Spain prompted a gradual acceptance of constitutional frameworks, where the power of monarchs was limited in favor of legal and representative governance in various parts of Europe.

• The reign of Peter the Great in Russia marked significant reforms aimed at modernizing the state while enhancing its power, thus reflecting a blend of absolutist and progressivist ideologies.

Comparison of Political Systems (Topic 3.8)

Key Comparisons

• The contrasts between absolutism and constitutionalism are stark, with the former relying on centralized monarchy and unilateral decision-making, while the latter emphasizes limited governmental power through established laws and representative democratic structures.

• The unique political structure of the Dutch Oligarchy, distinguished by its limited representation compared to absolute rule, exemplified alternative pathways in governance and societal organization.

Essential Questions for Review

1. What were the impacts of the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution on governance in England?

2. How did the Agricultural Revolution reshape the social and economic landscapes across Europe?

3. In what ways did warfare and diplomacy contribute to the creation of a balance of power in Europe following 1648?