Ch 23 Textbook Scan (Absolutism) 2

Birth of the Absolutist State

Key Figures

• Henry of Navarre (Henry IV of France)

  • Originally a Calvinist politician who became King Henry IV.

  • Converted to Catholicism in 1593 to gain French support; became highly popular.

  • First significant attempt at religious toleration in Europe via the Edict of Nantes (1598), granting Huguenots (French Calvinists) religious freedoms and rights.

Historical Context

• The Protestant Reformation had profound effects on European history, leading to increased literacy and cultural shifts.

• The Edict facilitated France’s rise as a premier European power, promoting stability for nearly a century.

Cultural Changes Resulting from the Reformation

1. Higher literacy rates and mass education

   • Motivated by the need to read the Scripture, promoted by Protestant teachings.

   • The spread of printing technology after 1520 further accelerated this change.

2. Emphasis on individual moral responsibility

   • Protestants encouraged personal determination of salvation over clerical guidance.

3. Increase in conflicts and intolerance

   • Civil wars in various parts of Europe, often rooted in religious disputes, leading to devastation.

   • The Protestant vs. Catholic conflicts aggravated emergent national debates within Europe.

The Spanish Netherlands

• Ruled by King Philip II, who aimed to support Catholicism and reestablish it in Protestant regions.

• The Spanish struggled with revolts in the Netherlands during the 1560s against Catholic enforcement.

• These tensions led to military intervention from England, complicating the power dynamics in Western Europe.

The Spanish Armada (1588)

• Philip II attempted to invade England to restore Catholicism after the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots.

• The defeat of the Armada marked a turning point, empowering Protestant movements and giving rise to England as a major power.

• Spain suffered long-term military and economic declines post-defeat, affecting its European standing.

The Thirty Years' War

• A destructive conflict across Europe, marked by religious intolerance, beginning in 1618.

• Transitioned into a struggle for power and territory, beyond initial religious motivations.

• Treaty of Westphalia (1648) ended the war, significantly reshaping the political landscape in favor of France and Sweden, while weakening Spain and the Habsburgs.

Impact of the War

• The Holy Roman Empire fragmented, leading to political chaos and divided German territories with weakened central authority.

• The Treaty laid groundwork for modern statehood, focusing on territorial sovereignty rather than dynastic or religious unity.

The Theory and Practice of Royal Absolutism

Louis XIV’s Reign

• Known as the embodiment of absolute monarchy, claiming divine right, stating "I am the state."

• Worked tirelessly to centralize authority, diminish aristocratic power, and promote state interests.

• Cardinal Richelieu played a crucial role in establishing royal absolutism, prioritizing state power over religious affiliation.

Administration and Control

• Louis XIV reduced the nobility’s power by centralizing government around the court at Versailles.

• The court served as a mechanism for surveillance and control over noble behaviors and aspirations.

• Financial struggles occurred due to extravagant spending, culminating in conflicts such as the War of the Spanish Succession.

Revolt Against Royal Absolutism in England

Stuart Monarchy

• Began with James I (1603-1625), who supported absolute monarchy, creating tensions with Parliament over taxes and governance.

• Charles I continued this trend, enacted policies without parliamentary consent, leading to civil strife.

• The English Civil War eventually resulted in the trial and execution of Charles I, establishing a republic under Oliver Cromwell.

• Post-Cromwell, the Restoration brought back monarchy under Charles II (1660-1685) but with limited powers due to increasing parliamentary authority.

Glorious Revolution (1688)

• Marked a pivotal transition of power, where sovereignty shifted from the monarchy to the Parliament.

• Led to the Bill of Rights (1689) which established parliamentary supremacy and legal frameworks protecting civil liberties.

Prussia and Habsburg Domains

The Rise of Prussia

• Frederick William, the Great Elector, centralized power in Prussia, creating a professional army and unifying regional governance.

• Continued to emphasize the military's importance, leading to expansion and eventual prominence in European politics.

Habsburg Dominance

• The Habsburgs expanded influence in Central Europe, ruling over diverse, fragmented territories and asserting their power while navigating the religious divides present.

Conclusion

• The emergence of absolutist states was a multifaceted process across Europe characterized by centralization of power, conflicts rooted in religious tensions, and significant shifts towards constitutional governance in England.