Syllabus_Rise_of_Modern_States

 The Thirty Years War: review causation (failure of Peace of Augsburg, Defenestration of Prague), how/why the conflict became a war rooted in dynastic rivalries, rationale for French entry on the side of the Protestants, reasons for brutality exhibited toward German civilians (Jacques Callot’s Miseries of War illustrations), critical outcomes of the war and Peace of Westphalia.

1. Background and Origins:

   • Initially a religious conflict between Protestant and Catholic states in the Holy Roman Empire.

   • The Defenestration of Prague in 1618 marked the beginning, where Protestant nobles threw Catholic officials from a window, escalating tensions.

   • The failure of the Peace of Augsburg to accommodate the religious loyalties of various subjects left unresolved issues that bred further conflict.

2. Causation of the War:

   • The war transitioned from a religious struggle to a broader political one involving dynastic rivalries among European monarchies.

   • Monarchs sought to protect and expand their influence, thus intertwining their dynastic goals with the religious dimensions of the conflict.

3. Rationale for French Entry on the Side of Protestants:

   • France, a Catholic nation, entered the conflict to weaken the Habsburgs—both Spanish and Austrian—who posed a direct threat to its national interests.

   • This pragmatic approach prioritizing state power over religious affiliation showcased the evolving dynamics of European politics.

4. Brutality Toward German Civilians:

   • The war resulted in widespread devastation in German territories, reflected in Jacques Callot’s Miseries of War illustrations, which captured the brutal impact on civilian populations.

   • Reasons for this brutality included military strategies that aimed to destroy enemy resources and a breakdown of social order, leading to atrocities committed by various factions.

5. Critical Outcomes of the War:

   • The war concluded with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, which:

     • Established new political boundaries in Europe.

     • Affirmed the principle of religious tolerance, allowing different Christian denominations to coexist.

     • Marked a significant shift toward the modern state system, laying groundwork for state sovereignty and diplomacy.

   • Demographic Impact: Estimates suggest up to 60% population loss in some German areas due to war-related violence, famine, and disease.

   • Political Ramifications: The war and its resolution significantly altered power balances, educating nations about governance and the balance of power, ultimately reshaping European politics in the following century.

-  French Wars of Religion: Basic reason why the Catholic Valois dynasty was going to pass the throne to Huguenot Henry Bourbon of Navarre – violent response in Paris in the form of the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, War of the Three Henrys and rise of the Bourbon dynasty, rationale for Henry IV’s conversion to Catholicism and issuing of the Edict of Nantes (know what this implied regarding the rights of French subjects), review French Huguenot Philippe Duplessis-Mornay’s political tract justifying resistance to tyranny. 

Background Context

• The Catholic Valois dynasty was facing a significant threat from the rising power of the Huguenots, epitomized by Henry Bourbon of Navarre, who had a claim to the throne.

• Tensions escalated leading to violent confrontations, most notably the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre in 1572, where thousands of Huguenots were killed in Paris, showcasing the intense animosity and religious strife.

Key Events

• War of the Three Henrys (1587-1589): This civil war involved three prominent figures: Henry III of France (Valois), Henry of Navarre (Bourbon), and Henry de Guise, reflecting the deep divisions within France over religion and power.

• Rise of the Bourbon Dynasty: The conflict ultimately led to the establishment of the Bourbon dynasty, with Henry of Navarre becoming Henry IV of France.

Rationale for Henry IV’s Conversion

• To legitimize his rule and unify a fractured France, Henry IV converted to Catholicism, famously stating, "Paris is worth a mass."

• His conversion was pragmatic, aimed at gaining the loyalty of a predominantly Catholic population and easing religious tensions.

Edict of Nantes (1598)

• Issued by Henry IV, this edict granted substantial rights to the Huguenots, including freedom of worship and political privileges, while maintaining Catholicism as the state religion.

• It represented a significant step toward religious tolerance in France and acknowledged the rights of Huguenots as citizens with protections.

Philippe Duplessis-Mornay

• A key Huguenot leader and political theorist, Duplessis-Mornay authored works justifying resistance against tyranny. His tract argued for the right of subjects to resist oppressive rulers, particularly in matters of faith, laying intellectual groundwork for future resistance movements.

- Rise of French Absolutism: reason why civil disorders such as the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre and, later, the Fronde caused French subjects to accept absolutism, effective policies of the Duke of Sully under King Henry IV, policies of Cardinal Richelieu under King Louis XIII (entry of France to the Thirty Years War to break the Habsburg ring around France, formation of generalities and use of intendants, rationale for demolition of walled cities and feudal castles, concept of raison d’etat).

• Civil Disorders: Incidents like the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre (1572) and the Fronde (1648-1653) created instability and insecurity among the French populace, leading many to accept the idea of an absolute ruler who could restore order and protect them from violence.

• Duke of Sully under King Henry IV:

  • Implemented effective economic policies that revived France post-religious wars.

  • Focused on infrastructure, such as improving roads and building bridges, which facilitated commerce and communication.

  • Promoted agricultural improvements and ensured a stronger financial base for the monarchy.

• Cardinal Richelieu under King Louis XIII:

  • Strengthened the central authority of the monarchy and decreased the power of the nobility.

  • Entry of France to the Thirty Years War: Aimed to weaken the Habsburgs, who surrounded France, ensuring national security.

  • Formation of Generalities and Use of Intendants: Created administrative divisions (generalities) and employed intendants to enforce royal policies, centralizing power.

  • Demolition of Walled Cities and Feudal Castles: Aimed to reduce the power of local lords and prevent revolts against the crown, promoting loyalty towards the monarchy.

• Concept of Raison d’Etat: Justified actions taken for the state's welfare, even if they contradicted traditional morality, emphasizing the necessity of strong leadership to maintain stability and unity.

-  Louis XIV: Response to the Fronde and link to construction of Chateau de Versailles, reason Louis XIV favored baroque art and architecture, characteristics of French classicism, elevation of French language and culture throughout Europe, limitation of absolute authority due to need for social collaboration of nobility, steps taken to reduce threat of nobility at Versailles, economic policies of Jean Baptiste Colbert, rationale for Edict of Fontainebleau, outcome of the War of Spanish Succession, massive state debt left behind by Louis XIV.

• Louis XIV's Response to the Fronde: Louis XIV faced the Fronde, a series of civil wars in France, and learned the value of absolute power and controlling the nobility.

• Construction of Chateau de Versailles: The construction of Versailles was both a display of royal grandeur and a tool to keep the nobility close to the king, ensuring their cooperation and reducing their power.

• Favoring Baroque Art and Architecture: Louis XIV favored baroque art and architecture as it represented the grandeur and power of his reign. The dynamic forms and rich decorations embodied the divine right of kings and the state’s majesty.

• Characteristics of French Classicism: French classicism emphasized clarity, order, and harmony in art and literature, showcasing reason and humanism, often reflecting themes from classical antiquity.

• Elevation of French Language and Culture: Under Louis XIV, France became the cultural center of Europe, with the French language elevated through the arts, court life, and the establishment of institutions like the Académie Française.

• Limitation of Absolute Authority: Despite his absolute power, Louis XIV needed social collaboration from the nobility, which limited his authority and led him to carefully manage noble affairs to secure their loyalty.

• Steps to Reduce the Threat of Nobility at Versailles: Louis XIV took several steps such as allowing nobles to reside at Versailles in a controlled environment, keeping them distracted from gaining local power, and fostering competition among them for royal favor.

• Economic Policies of Jean Baptiste Colbert: As Louis XIV’s finance minister, Colbert implemented mercantilist policies, promoting trade, expanding colonies, and fostering industry in order to strengthen the French economy and reduce dependence on foreign goods.

• Rationale for Edict of Fontainebleau: The Edict of Fontainebleau (1685) revoked the Edict of Nantes, aiming to unify France under Catholicism, but it led to the emigration of Huguenots and a loss of skilled workers.

• Outcome of the War of Spanish Succession: The war ended with the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, resulting in a weakened French influence in Europe and the recognition of the British crown’s power.

• Massive State Debt: Louis XIV left behind a massive state debt due to continuous warfare and lavish spending, setting the stage for economic challenges in the years to follow.