(424–431) – Absolutism & Constitutionalism: Seventeenth-Century Crisis and Rebuilding Key Concepts / Terms

Chpt 15

Key Concepts / Terms

  • Social Hierarchy – Monarchs → Nobility & Clergy → Merchants → Peasants/Serfs

    • Peasants: Small landowners in W. Europe; serfs in E. Europe.

    • Patriarchy: Fathers held authority over households and apprentices.

  • Little Ice Age – Colder, wetter climate causing crop failures → famine → population decline → social unrest.

  • Moral Economy – Belief that authorities must ensure fair food prices; bread riots common.

  • Divine Right of Kings – Monarchs’ authority comes from God, used to justify absolutism.

  • Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648) – Series of wars in the Holy Roman Empire:

    1. Bohemian Phase – Local Protestant vs. Catholic conflict.

    2. Danish Phase – Denmark intervenes.

    3. Swedish Phase – Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden aids Protestants, reshaping war.

    4. French / International Phase – Cardinal Richelieu (France) supports Protestants to weaken Habsburgs.

    • Outcome: Peace of Westphalia → state sovereignty, recognition of Calvinism, limits on Habsburg power.

  • Intendants – French royal bureaucrats appointed by the king (Louis XIII & Richelieu) to centralize authority.

Important People & Their Roles

  • Gustavus Adolphus (Sweden) – Military leader; turned tide during Swedish phase of the Thirty Years’ War.

  • Cardinal Richelieu (France) – Strengthened French monarchy, weakened Habsburg influence, laid foundation for absolutism.

  • Louis XIII (France) – King who used Richelieu’s policies to centralize power.

  • Louis XIV (France) – Later embodies absolutism; “Sun King”

Major Developments / Notes

  • Social & Economic Crises

    • Famine and disease due to Little Ice Age → population decline.

    • Peasant unrest common; bread riots explained by moral economy.

    • Economic hardship strengthened calls for stronger state intervention.

  • Thirty Years’ War Impact

    • Devastated Central Europe: population, economy, social structure.

    • Popular revolts frequent due to taxation and war burdens.

    • Westphalia established new rules for European diplomacy & state sovereignty.

  • Centralization & Absolutism

    • France: Richelieu used intendants to bypass nobles → stronger royal control.

    • Absolutist states centralized power to prevent uprisings and stabilize after crises.

    • The crises of the 17th century set stage for the rise of strong monarchies and the decline of weaker or decentralized states.

Cause & Effect Chains

  • Little Ice Age → crop failures → famine → unrest → support for stronger state control

  • Religious conflicts + weak imperial authority → Thirty Years’ War → devastation → Peace of Westphalia → modern state sovereignty

  • High taxes + war → revolts → monarchs centralize power → rise of absolutism