1. Absolutism and State Building in Europe, 1618-1715
The West
CHAPTER 15

2. The Theory of Absolutism
Monarchs possessed the power to make laws by themselves, without legislatures
A monarch was accountable only to God, not to his or her subjects
A monarch was not bound by the laws of the state, but was obliged to observe them
Obligation to rule of law defined western absolutism

3. The Practice of Absolutism
Elimination or subordination of national assemblies and legislatures
Cultivation of regional and municipal support
Subordination of nobility to royal will and favor
Establishment of effective, centralized administrative control

4. Warfare and the Absolutist State
State of almost continual warfare in Europe, between 1600 and 1721
Establishment of large, standing armies
Application of new military tactics and technologies
Intensification of military training
Expansion of taxation and bureaucracy to support and manage new armies

5. The Foundations of French Absolutism
Began as a response to the turmoil of the Wars of Religion
Cardinal Richelieu restricted the power of regional assemblies, strengthened central administration of the state, disarmed the Protestant minority, and increased taxation
The Fronde, , revealed the continuing strength of resistance to absolutist government

6. Absolutism in the Reign of Louis XIV
Projected an image of incomparable majesty
Secured the loyalty and dependence of the nobility
Perfected Richelieu’s policy of administrative centralization
Increased tax revenues, and encouraged and protected French industry
Enforced religious conformity

7. Louis XIV and the Culture of Absolutism
Influenced and controlled the creation and dissemination of cultural products
Patronized and encouraged cultural institutions
Transformed public life, by seeking order and uniformity in all matters
French culture became the dominant influence in European high society

8. The Wars of Louis XIV,
Financial and military reforms created a formidable military machine
Fought wars to acquire new territory
Only an alliance of almost all the other European powers was able to counter the French military
Treaty of Ryswick, 1697, established the principle of a balance of powers

9. Absolutism and State Building in Spain
Period of economic, political and military decline
Attempt at absolutist reforms
Failed to subdue regional and aristocratic autonomy and influence
Ineffectual economic reforms failed to increase taxation or encourage industry

10. Germany and the Thirty Years’ War, 1618-1648
Thirty Years’ War began as a religious and constitutional struggle within the empire
Demographic and economic devastation of Germany
Weakened the institution of the empire permanently
Individual German territories developed into sovereign states -Prussia and Austria became major European powers

11. The Ottoman Empire: Between East and West
Western Europeans considered the Ottoman empire to be “oriental” and despotic
Deep cultural divide between the Ottoman Empire (East) and the West
Ottoman power declined through the seventeenth century
Network of diplomatic, commercial and cultural contacts between the Turks and the West

12. Russia and the West
Until the seventeenth century, Russia was considered more Asian than European
Peter I (r ) initiated a process of cultural, political and military reform, modeled on Western ideas
Built a westernized military state
Construction of St. Petersburg symbolized Russia’s new engagement with Europe

13. The English Monarchy and the Civil War
Institution and culture of the English Parliament were antithetical to absolutism
Attempt by Charles I (r ) to rule as an absolute monarch led to religious and constitutional conflicts with parliament
English Civil War, , ended in victory for Parliament - execution of Charles I and abolition of the monarchy

14. Revolution and Restoration in England
Republic established after 1649 faltered on constitutional and religious issues
The restored monarchy attempted to subvert parliament by packing it with royalists
James II (r ) attempted to grant toleration and political power to Catholics
“Glorious Revolution” deposed James II, in favor of William of Orange and Mary Stuart

15. William III and Parliamentary Supremacy
The Declaration of Rights became the cornerstone of the English constitution;
Guaranteed the role of parliament in government
Royal veto of legislation was exercised for the last time, in 1707
Expansion of the power of the state prompted by military pressures and supported by parliament

16. The Dutch Republic
Remained a loose confederation of sovereign republics
Political power held by urban merchants and rural nobles
Highly commercial economy fueled the acquisition of colonial possessions
Fostered religious toleration and artistic creativity - the Dutch Golden Age

17. The Western State, in the Age of Absolutism
Dramatic expansion of the state - increasingly centralized and cohesive
Introduction of royal absolutism
Development of new style of warfare
Emergence of concepts of international law and a balance of power