AP World HistoryAP World HistoryPOD #14 – Age of POD #14 – Age of TransitionTransition AbsolutismAbsolutism

Class Discussion QuestionsClass Discussion Questions

McKay – “Absolutism”, pp. 532-548McKay – “Absolutism”, pp. 532-548

McKay – “Lords and Peasants in Eastern”, pp. 566-569McKay – “Lords and Peasants in Eastern”, pp. 566-569

McKay – “The Rise of Austria and Prussia”, pp. 569 -578McKay – “The Rise of Austria and Prussia”, pp. 569 -578

What is the definition of What is the definition of sovereignty?sovereignty?

A state is sovereign when …. (1) It A state is sovereign when …. (1) It possesses a monopoly over the possesses a monopoly over the instruments of Justice and the use of instruments of Justice and the use of force within clearly defined boundaries force within clearly defined boundaries (2) There is not threat to royal authority (2) There is not threat to royal authority (3) When the states army is supreme (4) (3) When the states army is supreme (4) Royal (state) Law touches all persons Royal (state) Law touches all persons within the countrywithin the country

What is the definition of absolutism?What is the definition of absolutism?

Personified by the rulerPersonified by the ruler A state in which the king claims his A state in which the king claims his

authority to rule by divine right, meaning authority to rule by divine right, meaning they were responsible to God alonethey were responsible to God alone

What are the keys to an absolutist What are the keys to an absolutist state?state?

Seek cooperation from one group that Seek cooperation from one group that historically posed problems – the historically posed problems – the NOBILITYNOBILITY

The key to power and success of an The key to power and success of an absolute monarch lay in how they solve absolute monarch lay in how they solve their financial problemstheir financial problems

What was the benefit of the new What was the benefit of the new absolute bureaucracy?absolute bureaucracy?

Composed of career officials who were Composed of career officials who were appointed by and solely accountable to appointed by and solely accountable to the kingthe king

These new bureaucrats held public These new bureaucrats held public offices designed to benefit the state – offices designed to benefit the state – they did not hold these positions for they did not hold these positions for private gainprivate gain

How did the absolutist state How did the absolutist state maintain law and order?maintain law and order?

Created permanent standing armies Created permanent standing armies Used secret police to monitor the Used secret police to monitor the

activities of the citizenryactivities of the citizenry

Absolutism is conservative by nature. Absolutism is conservative by nature. That is to say it desired to maintain the That is to say it desired to maintain the status quo.status quo.

What difference existed between the What difference existed between the absolutist state and the 20absolutist state and the 20thth century century totalitarian state?totalitarian state?

““The rule of absolute monarchs was not all The rule of absolute monarchs was not all embracing because they lacked the military embracing because they lacked the military and financial resources and the technology to and financial resources and the technology to make it so. Thus, the absolutist state was not make it so. Thus, the absolutist state was not the same as the totalitarian state. the same as the totalitarian state. Totalitarianism is a 20Totalitarianism is a 20thth century phenomenon; it century phenomenon; it seeks to direct all facets of a states culture – seeks to direct all facets of a states culture – art, education, religion, the economy, and art, education, religion, the economy, and politics – in the interest of the state. By politics – in the interest of the state. By definition totalitarian rule is total regulation.”definition totalitarian rule is total regulation.”

- McKay et.al.- McKay et.al.

How did the absolutist state foreshadow How did the absolutist state foreshadow the 20the 20thth century totalitarian state? century totalitarian state?

Glorification of the StateGlorification of the State Expansionist foreign policyExpansionist foreign policy

How did Sully set the stage for French absolutism?

Brought France to greater financial stability

Reduced taxes yet increased revenue through the revival of trade

Restored public order and laid the foundations of economic prosperity

What steps did Cardinal Richleau put in place to elevate the French king to absolute power?

Appointed to the council of ministers by Marie Medici – became president of the council in 1627 and first minister of the French Crown in 1628

Laid cornerstone of French absolutism Policy of total subordination of all groups and

institutions to the French monarchy Curbed the power of the nobility by destroying castles

and executing noble conspirators Created a strong, efficient bureaucratic system that

employed intendents (royal commissioners) Oversaw the issuing of the Edict of Nantes allowing

religious toleration as opposed to permanent coexistence

How and why does Louis XIV represent the epitome of French and European absolutism?

“Sun King” (1643-1715) French absolutism reached its peak Followed the theory of divine right Manipulated the nobility to weaken their

power and influence and secured their cooperation

Forced the nobility to regularly visit the court at Versailles where he could keep them under a watchful eye

How does the Palace of Versailles symbolize the French absolutist state?

Used architecture to overawe subjects and foreign visitors

Full of grandeur – represents the lavishness and decadence of the times

Construction put France into deep economic crisis and hardship

How does the Palace of Versailles facilitate a scenario in which only revolution and death of a king can fix?

Financial hardship caused by spending on luxury and grandeur especially the Palace of Versailles

Louis XIV never called the Estates General to deal with financial crisis

It was accepted that the king could tax all he wanted as long as he did not tax the nobles

Created a situation where the Third Estate (middle class and peasants and urban working class) were to be heavily burdened

France never collected enough revenue for its level of spending

What was absolute France’s position on religious toleration? What steps were taken to address this issue?

1598 - Edict of Nantes allowed religious toleration as 150 towns were allowed Protestant worship

1627 – Louis XIII outlawed Protestant militaries on the grounds that it created a “state within a state”

The monarchy argued that the Huguenots demanded freedom of conscience but did not allow Catholic worship in their towns – this was interpreted as political disobedience

All of this ran counter to the theory of absolutism Revocation of the Edict of Nantes – churches were destroyed, schools

were closed, and the Huguenots were ordered to be re-baptized as Catholics

Religious pluralism was still not an accepted idea – especially in an absolutist state

Absolutism demanded “One King, One Law, One State” There was little public support for the Edict of Nantes from the nobility As result of the revocation many skilled and wealthy Huguenots fled

France

Through what methods did France attempt to reach financial independence?

Jean Baptiste-Colbert Mercantilism – collection of government policies for the

regulation of economic and commercial activities for the benefit of the state

A nation’ s power was determined by its’ gold and silver reserves

Nations needed a favorable balance of trade (Export > Imports = $$$)

France tried to sell abroad and buy nothing back Attempted to become economically and commercially self-

sufficient and independent The bankruptcy of Spain (1596, 1607, 1627, 1647, 1680)

represents the case study for the limitations of mercantilism

How was the Peace of Utrecht interwoven with world exploration and European absolutism?

Ended the war of Spanish Succession (1701-1713)

Represents the balance of power principle in operation

Limits were set on the extent to which any one power could expand

This principle will be revisited in World War I (The Great War) and the Treaty of Versailles

How does western absolutism How does western absolutism compare to eastern absolutism?compare to eastern absolutism?

Western Absolutism – (1) powers of the Western Absolutism – (1) powers of the nobility limited (2) strong middle class (3) nobility limited (2) strong middle class (3) peasants free from serfdompeasants free from serfdom

Eastern Absolutism – (1) powerful nobility Eastern Absolutism – (1) powerful nobility

(2) weak middle class (3) oppressed (2) weak middle class (3) oppressed peasantry of serfspeasantry of serfs

What actions were taken to further strip What actions were taken to further strip the peasants of power in Eastern Europe the peasants of power in Eastern Europe following the Black Death?following the Black Death?

Eastern peasants lost rights and freedomsEastern peasants lost rights and freedoms The Black Death caused a labor shortage – eastern The Black Death caused a labor shortage – eastern

landlords used political and police power to tie the landlords used political and police power to tie the peasants to the land – western landlords offered peasants to the land – western landlords offered improved conditionsimproved conditions

Laws limited a peasants free time and movementLaws limited a peasants free time and movement Landlords took more peasant landsLandlords took more peasant lands Landlords imposed heavier labor obligationsLandlords imposed heavier labor obligations Local lords ruled as prosecutor, judge, and jailer – ruling Local lords ruled as prosecutor, judge, and jailer – ruling

against the peasants (their power was unchecked)against the peasants (their power was unchecked) The poor east fed the wealthy west – forced serfdom The poor east fed the wealthy west – forced serfdom

allowed eastern nobles to produce an agricultural surplus allowed eastern nobles to produce an agricultural surplus – this was sold to the growing cities of the west– this was sold to the growing cities of the west

What steps were taken by eastern What steps were taken by eastern monarchs to further their control over monarchs to further their control over the power of the purse and the power of the power of the purse and the power of the sword?the sword?

Imposed and collected permanent taxes Imposed and collected permanent taxes without consentwithout consent

Maintained permanent standing armies – Maintained permanent standing armies – used to police the country and fight used to police the country and fight abroadabroad

Conducted foreign relations with other Conducted foreign relations with other states as they pleasedstates as they pleased

What impact did the Thirty Years What impact did the Thirty Years War have on Habsburg power?War have on Habsburg power?

Habsburg’s (Austria)Habsburg’s (Austria) Emerged from the Thirty Years War greatly weakenedEmerged from the Thirty Years War greatly weakened Attempt to root out Protestantism in Europe had Attempt to root out Protestantism in Europe had

weakened the empireweakened the empire Real power was in the hands of nearly 300 separate Real power was in the hands of nearly 300 separate

princes, nobles, and separate political jurisdictionsprinces, nobles, and separate political jurisdictions The Habsburgs were defeated in central Europe and The Habsburgs were defeated in central Europe and

turned east to find a theater in which to secure unity turned east to find a theater in which to secure unity and an absolutist state – in the east they would and an absolutist state – in the east they would encounter the Ottoman Turksencounter the Ottoman Turks

How did the Turks further weaken How did the Turks further weaken Habsburg power?Habsburg power?

Captured Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453Captured Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453 Put Vienna under siege in 1529Put Vienna under siege in 1529 Ruled the Balkans for over 150 years (closed off access to Ruled the Balkans for over 150 years (closed off access to

Slavic / Russian slaves – Europe turned to Africa)Slavic / Russian slaves – Europe turned to Africa) Used conquered people (slaves) to fill the army – this Used conquered people (slaves) to fill the army – this

system worked well as long as the army expandedsystem worked well as long as the army expanded After 1570 the Ottoman empire began to slowly decline and After 1570 the Ottoman empire began to slowly decline and

disintegrate as the Turks western advance was stopped not disintegrate as the Turks western advance was stopped not to mention the increasing decadence of the empireto mention the increasing decadence of the empire

The Turkish Wars and the great expansion strengthened the The Turkish Wars and the great expansion strengthened the Habsburg army and promoted some sense of unity in Habsburg army and promoted some sense of unity in Habsburg LandsHabsburg Lands

Province of Austria, Kingdom of Bohemia, and Kingdom of Province of Austria, Kingdom of Bohemia, and Kingdom of Hungary were tied together by a common monarchHungary were tied together by a common monarch

How did religion impact the How did religion impact the evolution of absolutism in the evolution of absolutism in the Habsburg empire?Habsburg empire?

Charles VI (1711-1740)Charles VI (1711-1740) Pragmatic Sanction – Habsburg possessions were Pragmatic Sanction – Habsburg possessions were

never to be divided and were to be passed intact to a never to be divided and were to be passed intact to a single heir (who may be female)single heir (who may be female)

Hungarian nobility resisted the rise of Habsburg Hungarian nobility resisted the rise of Habsburg absolutism by rising in revolt – much of the revolt was a absolutism by rising in revolt – much of the revolt was a result of their Protestantism and opposition to the result of their Protestantism and opposition to the Habsburg attempt to re-Catholicize the empireHabsburg attempt to re-Catholicize the empire

Compromise – many of the traditional practices of the Compromise – many of the traditional practices of the Hungarian nobility were reinstated in return for an Hungarian nobility were reinstated in return for an acceptance of hereditary Habsburg ruleacceptance of hereditary Habsburg rule

What steps were taken by Frederick What steps were taken by Frederick William (“The Elector”) to enhance his William (“The Elector”) to enhance his power of the purse and power of the power of the purse and power of the sword?sword?

Moved Prussia towards absolutismMoved Prussia towards absolutism Desired to link Brandenburg (Berlin), Prussia, and the Rhine as Desired to link Brandenburg (Berlin), Prussia, and the Rhine as

oneone Each of these provinces had its’ own Estates – the Estates Each of these provinces had its’ own Estates – the Estates

controlled the power of the pursecontrolled the power of the purse The Estates were dominated by the nobility and land owning The Estates were dominated by the nobility and land owning

class called the Junkers who were conservative by natureclass called the Junkers who were conservative by nature 1660 – Army created to fight Sweden / Army became 1660 – Army created to fight Sweden / Army became

permanent / Taxes were levied to pay for this / Taxes became permanent / Taxes were levied to pay for this / Taxes became permanentpermanent

The power of the Estates waned as the monarch had financial The power of the Estates waned as the monarch had financial independence and superior forceindependence and superior force

The Great Elector created a single state (small and fragile) out The Great Elector created a single state (small and fragile) out of scattered principalitiesof scattered principalities

What long term influence did Frederick What long term influence did Frederick William I (“Soldier King”) have on the William I (“Soldier King”) have on the evolution of Prussia / Germany?evolution of Prussia / Germany?

Truly established Prussian absolutismTruly established Prussian absolutism Created strongest army in EuropeCreated strongest army in Europe Imposed strict military value into Prussian societyImposed strict military value into Prussian society Cult of military power provided the rationale for a great Cult of military power provided the rationale for a great

expansion of royal absolutism in Prussiaexpansion of royal absolutism in Prussia Created a strong centralized bureaucracyCreated a strong centralized bureaucracy Eliminated last vestiges of Parliamentary influenceEliminated last vestiges of Parliamentary influence Enlisted the nobility into the army – this was resisted Enlisted the nobility into the army – this was resisted

and they became officers who commanded the and they became officers who commanded the peasantrypeasantry

What enlightenment reforms were What enlightenment reforms were instituted by Frederick the Great?instituted by Frederick the Great?

Rebelled against tyrannical father- Rebelled against tyrannical father- reconciled and determined to use the reconciled and determined to use the army his father had left himarmy his father had left him

Fought Austria and Maria Theresa in the Fought Austria and Maria Theresa in the War of Austrian Succession to gain War of Austrian Succession to gain Silesia and increase the population of Silesia and increase the population of Prussia by over 6 million peoplePrussia by over 6 million people