2.3+Absolutism+in+Western+Europe

A. Derived from the traditional assumption of power and the belief in the "divine right of kings." B. Characteristics of Western European absolutism 1. Sovereignty of a country was embodied in the person of a ruler (recognition of country because of ruler) 2. Absolute monarchs were not subordinate to national assemblies (didn't have to listen to the government) 3.The nobility was effectively brought under control 4. Bureaucracies in the 17th century were often composed of career officials appointed by and solely accountable to the King. 5. French and Spanish monarchies gained effective control of the Roman Catholic Church in their countries 6. Maintained large standing armies 7. employed a secret police to weaken political opponents 8. Foreshadowed totalitarianism in the 20th century but lacked financial, technological, fiancial, and military resources of 20th century dictators (By Forrest)
 * Absolutism in Western Europe (1589-1715)**
 * __I. Absolutism__**
 * Louis XIV of France is the best example of an absolute monarch**
 * This is in contrast to Eastern European absolutism where the nobility remained powerful
 * The nobility could still at times prevent absolute monarchs from completely having their way
 * Monarchs no longer relied on mercenary or noble armies, as had been the case in the 15th century and earlier
 * __Absolutism__**: absolute monarch; ultimate authority


 * __Divine-Right Monarchy__**: the power to rule was given to the king by God; unquestionable power

-First Estate: clergy -Second: nobility -Third: bourgeoisie
 * The 3 Estates of French Society**


 * Louis XIII**

-believed in divine right if kings -he was ‘quintessential’ -as a child his reign was known for corruption and mismanagement


 * Henry IV (of Navarre)**

-laid foundation for France to become the strongest European power in 17th century -know for strengthening the social hierarchy by strengthening different government institutions. -first king to encourage colonization in the New World -assassinated in 1610 by a fanatical monk

-Quintessiential absolute ruler in European history -his phrase was “I am the State” -known as the Sun King -believer in the “divine right of kings” -he had longest reign -France became the undisputed major power in Europe during his reign
 * Louis XIV**


 * Jean Bodin**

-he was a philosopher -he provided a theoretical basis for absolutist states -he believed that absolutism could bring order and that it could force people to obey the government


 * Thomas Hobbes**

-author of '//Leviathan'// -he had a pessimistic view on human nature -people were naturally evil -central drive for all is power -his ideas were not popular in the 17th century


 * Bishop Jacques Bossuet**

-he advocated the divine right of kings -first to believe that ‘the divine right’ was given to the king by god


 * Duke of Sully**

-he made reforms that enhanced the power of the monarchy -he instituted the idea of mercantilism (increased role of the state in the economy on order to achieve a favorable balance of trade) -he reduced royal debt -oversaw the improvement of transportation
 * -**made tax system more efficient and equitable


 * Cardinal Richelieu**

-laid foundation for absolutism in France -he was a politique -instituted the ‘intendant’ system -they were civil servants -object was to weaken nobility -made government more efficient -increased taxation for military -his taxes were not as successful as Sully’s -his taxes exploit peasants -subdued Huguenots (Peace of Alias) -during the Thirty Years War Richelieu and Louis XIII weakened the Hapsburg empire -declared war against Spain in 1635


 * totalitarianism**

[|http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/ENLIGHT/PRE.HTM] [|http://www.loyno.edu/~seduffy/centraleurope.html] [|Age of absolutism]