3.6 Balance of Power

Balance of Power: Overview

• Quote by Jean Bodin: The absolute power of sovereigns is limited by the laws of God and nature. Monarchs must respect divine authority.

• Essential Question: How did European states establish and maintain a balance of power from 1648 to 1815?

Treaty of Westphalia (1648)

• Ended centuries of religious conflict in Europe.

• Established the nation-state as the principal form of political organization.

• Both Catholic and Protestant leaders agreed on statecraft focusing on balance of power through diplomacy.

Absolutism and Sovereignty

• Monarchs sought to consolidate power through absolutism.

• Many rulers, influenced by divine right, viewed their authority as derived from God.

• Centralized control and territory expansion were vital for state viability; failure to centralize led to decline.

New Diplomacy and Warfare

• Post-Westphalia Dynamics: Introduction of balance of power concept in state interactions.

• States maintained power parity through military strength and alliances.

• Technological advances in warfare transformed military strategies and organization:

  • Key innovations included artillery and professional militaries rather than feudal militias.

Military Revolution

• Transition from traditional weapons (longbows, crossbows) to gunpowder artillery and firearms.

• Established professional armed forces controlled by central authority, enhancing state power.

Case Studies of Major Powers

Spain

• Led by the Habsburg dynasty; at its peak, controlled vast territories including parts of Italy and the Netherlands.

• Suffered decline after wars against France and revolts in Italian territories.

• Recognition of Dutch independence in 1648 marked a significant loss of influence.

Sweden under Gustavus Adolphus

• Enhanced central administration and military efficiency.

• Adopted advanced military strategies, allowing for organized and powerful corps.

France after the Thirty Years' War

• Emerged as the dominant military power in Europe under Louis XIV.

• Reformed and expanded the army, focusing on logistics and strong fortification networks.

Internal Challenges to Monarchs

• Factions often resisted centralization; particularly notable in the Netherlands, Spain, and France.

• Revolts like the Dutch War for Independence (1568-1648) resulted in greater autonomy.

Catalan Revolt (1640)

• Sparked by heavy taxation to fund military campaigns against France, illustrating local resistance.

The Fronde in France

• Civil unrest between 1648-1653 challenging royal authority, ultimately failed but empowered Louis XIV’s absolutist policies.

Minority Group Conflicts

• Ethnic and cultural minorities, often facing oppression, fought to maintain their identities.

• The Bohemian estates revolted against Habsburg centralization leading to the Thirty Years' War.

  • Influenced by Jan Hus, a symbol of resistance against Catholic hegemony.

Diplomatic Landscape Post-Westphalia

• Fragmentation of the Holy Roman Empire led to about 300 principalities.

• Heightened territorial competition sparked frequent conflicts.

The Ottoman Empire

• Faced decline post-1683 following the failed siege of Vienna, marking the end of Ottoman expansion in Europe.

Wars of Louis XIV

• Engaged in multiple costly wars to expand France’s dominance.

• Catalyzed significant debt and left future leadership with challenges.

War of the Spanish Succession

• Triggered by Louis XIV’s ambitions to unify French and Spanish crowns.

• Major powers, including England and Austria, allied against France.

• Ended with the Peace of Utrecht (1713), establishing a new balance of power.

Rise of Prussia

• Under Frederick William I, created a powerful army through taxation and efficient resources management.

• Frederick the Great expanded military might and territorial claims, leading to conflict with Austria and the Seven Years' War.

Partitions of Poland (1772, 1793, 1795)

• Poland’s fragmentation among Austria, Prussia, and Russia due to internal weakness and neighbor interventions.

• The liberum veto in Poland stifled legislative actions, leading to governmental paralysis.

Reflection on Essential Question

• Political and Military strategies were crucial for the establishment and maintenance of the balance of power between 1648-1815.

Key Terms and People

• Balance of Power, Absolutism, Divine Right, Treaty of Westphalia, Gustavus Adolphus, Dutch Revolt, War of the Spanish Succession, Frederick William I, Frederick the Great, Seven Years' War.