The Age of Absolutism

Absolutism is the practice of having absolute power over almost anything and everything

The practice of Absolutism

Absolute Monarchy=Absolutism=The king has absolute power/authority

Divine Right Monarchy/Divine right theory- kings receive their power from God

JACQUE BOSSUET- Politics Drawn from the words of the holy scripture=spelled out the divine right theory

Divine Right monarchy

The divine right of kings or divine right theory of kingship is a political and religious doctrine of royal and political legitimacy. It asserts that a monarchy is subject to no earthly authority deriving his right to rule directly from the will of God. The king is thus not subject to the will of his people, the aristocracy, or any other estate of the realm.

France and Absolute Monarchy

France during the reign of Louis XIV → best example of absolutism

French culture, language, and manners dominated Europe

Drench wars and diplomacy shaped the politics of the 17th century

Monarchs wanted to be like XIV

Foundations of French Absolutism Period of weakness prior to Louis XIV

Louis XIII and Louis XIV were both boys when they came to the throne

Cardinal Richelieu chief minister to Louis XIII →Strengthened the power of the monarchy

Cardinal Richelieu

The architect of French absolutism

Eliminated the power of the Huguenots

Kept in check the power of the nobles →Network of spies

Reformed and strengthened govt power-Intendants

Less successful in financial reform →too much spending, resistance to taxes

Cardinal Mazarin

Chief minister to younger Louis XIV

Continued Richelieus policies

The fronde=tax revolt/civil war in France

Louis created a strong monarchy to check the nobles

French citizens look to the monarchy for stability

The sun king- Le Roi Soleil

One king

One Law

One Faith

Louis XIV

The Reign of XIV 1643-1715

1661 at the age of 23 Louis XIV takes formal power

Dominates Europe → “the age of Louis XIV

Bypasses the old nobles →creates nobles=the nobility of the robe

The edict of Fontainebleu=The revocation of the Edict of Nantes→ Huguenot churches and schools closed

Daily life at the court of Versailles

Louis built cast new and expensive palace outside of Paris=Versailles

Residence of the king

Reception hall for state affairs

Offices for members of the king’s govt

Nobles lived at Versailles serving the king → distracts and separates them from real power and real politics

Versailles= Louis XIV’s golden crib

Elaborate ceremony and routine of court life

competition among nobles to win the king’s attention and favor

Versailles becomes the model for all other wannabe absolute monarchs

Absolutism in Russia

Peter the Great

Westernized Russia after visiting countries of Western Europe

Examples of Westernization

Shaved beards, shortened coats

Removed veils for women & allowed them to socialize