Notes on The Age of Absolutism and Constitutionalism (1600-1700)

The Age of Absolutism and Constitutionalism (1600-1700ish)

Major Historical Events

  • 1543: Start of the Scientific Revolution
  • 1545: Start of the Counter-Reformation
  • 1568: Start of the Eighty Years' War (Dutch Revolt)
  • 1618: Start of the Thirty Years' War
  • 1687: End of the Scientific Revolution
  • 1688: The Glorious Revolution
  • Approx 1715: Death of Louis XIV

Key Concepts in Political History

Absolutism

  • Definition: A political system where a ruler holds absolute power over the state and government decisions.
  • Notable Absolutist Figures:
    • Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible of Russia)
    • Kangxi (Emperor of China)
    • Tokugawa Ieyasu (Shogun of Japan)
    • Suleiman the Magnificent (Ottoman Sultan)

Reasons for the Rise of Absolutism

  • Cultural Justification:
    • The legitimacy of kings is often derived from a divine mandate, where rulers act as ministers of God.
  • Political Justification:
    • Thomas Hobbes's social contract theory in Leviathan argues for a strong sovereign to ensure peace and security.
    • Subjects cannot question the sovereign's actions due to their agreement to the social contract.

Measures of an Absolute Ruler

  • Centralization of power around the king, with control over laws, taxes, and national defense.
  • No accountability for rulers; sovereigns cannot be judged for their actions, as all authority is justified through divinely ordained rule.

Constitutionalism in England and the Dutch Republic

  • Constitutionalism: A system of governance where power is distributed among representatives and is limited by law.
  • Key Documents:
    • The Act of Abjuration (Dutch Independence from Spain)
    • The Bill of Rights (1689 in England, outlining rights for Parliament and limits on royal power).

John Locke's Influence

  • Advocated for natural rights: life, liberty, and property.
  • Asserted that if a ruler violates the rights of the people, they have the right to revolt.
  • Promoted ideas against absolutism and for the formation of a government that protects individuals' rights through a social contract.

Differences Between England and the Dutch Republic

  • Election vs. Succession: Dutch leaders (Stadtholders) were chosen, while English monarchy followed hereditary succession.
  • Federal vs. Centralized Systems: The Dutch Republic operated with significant provincial autonomy, whereas England had a centralized authority in Parliament.

Impact of Wars and Conflicts

  • The Eighty Years' War (1568-1648) was not just about religion but also against the Spanish centralization under Philip II.
  • The English Civil War (1642-1651) highlighted the conflict between raised taxes under Charles I and Parliament’s evolving opposition to royal authority.
  • The Glorious Revolution (1688) established a constitutional monarchy post-revolt against James II.

Economic Policies and Mercantilism

  • Mercantilism: Economic theory asserting that wealth is finite and that governments should increase a nation’s wealth through protectionist policies, ensuring a favorable balance of trade.
  • Jean-Baptiste Colbert: First minister under Louis XIV, emphasized that the wealth of a state comes from accumulation of gold and favorable trade.

The Counter-Reformation

  • The Catholic Church's response to Protestant Reformation led to significant internal reforms and reaffirmations of Catholic doctrine, particularly through the Council of Trent (1545-1563).
  • Notably included tighter controls on church practices and fighting against Protestant movements.

The Scientific Revolution and Baroque Art

  • A transformative period in the 17th century where natural philosophy began to challenge old paradigms of understanding, leading to significant scientific advancements.
  • Baroque Art: Reflects absolutism with vivid emotions, dramatic contrasts, and a focus on grandeur associated with the power of monarchs.

Summary

  • The Age of Absolutism was characterized by the centralization of power in monarchs across Europe, justification through divine right, cultural reasons for support, as well as conflicts leading towards constitutional frameworks.
  • This era laid the foundation for modern political thought and governance, contrasting the principles of absolutism with emerging ideas of constitutionalism, individual rights, and the impact of economic policies.