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8. Absolute Monarchy
- 1. History of Europe: Renaissance to 1815
- 2. It is legal because I wish it. ∼ Louis XIV, King of France
- 4. Absolutism • What was Absolute Monarchy? • System of government • In which all power resided with king • Or as Louis XIV said: I am the State. • In Latin, “absolute” means “free of all restraints” • Crises of 17th & early 18th c. weakened national governments • Wars, inflation, demographic decline • Monarchies begin to rebuild on a new model • New approach to role of religion in governing
- 5. Absolutism • Defining Absolutism • All sovereignty resides in the king, meaning that • King’s power virtually unrestrained, even by law • Because king is above the law • Not answerable to a legislature, or to the nobility or church • King claims to embody the state • And the only authority in the state • Process does create opposition, but succeeds in number of countries
- 6. Absolutism • Justifying Absolute Monarchy • James I of England (VI of Scotland) • Wrote The True Law of Free Monarchies • Essay of political theory • Setting out theory of Divine Right of Kings • Political & religious of legitimate rule • King or queen selected before birth • Traced to story in 1 Samuel • “Lord’s anointed” deemed inviolable
- 7. Absolutism • James I in speech to Parliament, 1610: The state of monarchy is the supremest thing upon earth, for kings are not only God's lieutenants upon earth and sit upon God's throne, but even by God himself they are called gods. … … In the Scriptures kings are called gods, and so their power after a certain relation compared to the Divine power. Kings are also compared to fathers of families; for a king is truly parens patriae [parent of the country], the politic father of his people. And lastly, kings are compared to the head of this microcosm of the body of man.
- 8. Absolutism Five Steps to Absolute Monarchy: 1. Subjugate the Nobility 2. Build a huge, all-pervasive bureaucracy 3. Collect more & more tax money – need is unending 4. Establish a large, standing army • International defense, but also king’s internal police force 5. Establish religious uniformity • With king in control
- 9. Absolute Monarchy France: The Sun King
- 10. Absolutism • France & the Ancien Regime • Political & social system in Kingdom of France • Late Middle Ages to French Revolution • Focus on administrative centralization • Replacing personal patronage systems organized around the King • With institutional systems constructed around the state • Much of this focused on raising money • To conduct war, support territorial expansion, supporting the monarchy
- 11. Absolutism • Henry IV (1553-1610) • King of Navarre from 1572 • Raised as a Protestant • Marriage and St. Bartholomew’s Massacre • King of France from 1589 • “Paris is worth a Mass” • Converted to Catholicism
- 12. Absolutism • Henry IV: Edict of Nantes (1598) • Public declaration granted substantial rights to Huguenots • Calvinist Protestants in France (Huguenots) • Opened a path for tolerance & secularism • Significantly – the Edict signified Henry IV re-establishing power of the monarchy • Over the challenge of the nobility • During decades of conflict
- 13. Absolutism • Henry IV • Asserted control over the Parlements (high courts) • Restored Paris as a great city • Military – reorganized the army • Pay raised, standing army maintained • Under Finance Minister, Duke of Sully, able to raise money • Eliminated national debt • Actually able to set aside money in treasury Pont Neuf, completed in reign of Henry IV
- 14. Absolutism • Henry IV & Sully, Finance Minister • Raised taxes • Created a bureaucracy through sale of public offices • To avoid abuses, instituted the Paulette tax • “Allowed” to pay the tax if they do what king wants while in office • And can keep the office in the family, passed down to heirs Maximilien de Béthune, duc de Sully
- 15. Absolutism • Henry IV & Sully, Finance Minister • Mercantilism • Export more goods than you import • By encouraging domestic production of goods you have historically imported • Maintain favorable trade balance, bring money into country • Increasing the tax base for national treasury
- 16. Absolutism • Louis XIII • Assumed throne on assassination of Henry IV • Relied heavily on Cardinal Richelieu • Extremely capable minister • One of the greatest builders of absolutism Louis XIII
- 17. Absolutism • Louis XIII • Cardinal Richelieu – sought to • Secure absolute obedience to monarchy • Subdue the rebellious nobility • Gain control over the religious question • Raise international prestige of France & its monarchy
- 18. Absolutism • Cardinal Richelieu & Huguenots • Edict of Nantes • Huguenots could maintain armed fortresses • Weakened King’s position, at home and abroad • Richelieu – supremacy of Catholicism • Embodied by the monarchy Cardinal Richelieu at the Siege of La Rochelle
- 19. Absolutism • Cardinal Richelieu • Crushed revolts of the nobility • Including those led by king’s mother, Marie, & brother, Gaston • Day of Dupes – attempt to eliminate Richelieu failed • Ruthless reaction by Richelieu & Louis XIII • Military action, arrests, executions
- 20. Absolutism • Louis XIII • Cardinal Richelieu – impact • Crucial period of reform for France • Local, even religious, interests subordinated to those of nation • And the embodiment of the nation: the King • In foreign policy, kept the Habsburgs at bay • And minimized impact of Thirty Years War on France
- 21. Absolutism • Cardinal Richelieu: taxation • Created the position of the intendant • Venal tax collectors had bought their office • Held back some of taxes collected – cheating the government • Intendants appointed by the king, paid salaries • Fired if they do the job of tax collection poorly • Used “tax farmers” & backing of army • Result: another step toward greater central control of country
- 22. Absolutism • Cardinal Mazarin • Chief minister to King of France 1642-1661 • Acted as co-ruler during regency for Louis XIV • Continued Richelieu’s anti-Habsburg policies • Laid foundation for Louis XIV’s expansionist policies • Instrumental in negotiations for Peace of Westphalia • Ended Thirty Years’ War • Left France most powerful state in Europe
- 23. Absolutism • Thirty Years War (1618-1648) • Backdrop to era of emerging absolute monarchy • One of most destructive conflicts in human history • 8 million fatalities: military engagements, plague, famine, violence • German-speaking territories especially hard hit • Part religious, part political • Struggle between France and the Hapsburgs • Intervention of other European states led to full- scale war
- 24. Absolutism • Peace of Westphalia - 1648 • Series of treaties signed across Europe • Reiterated Peace of Augsburg of 1555 • Ruler’s religion was territory’s religion • Most important outcome: • “Westphalian Sovereignty” • Principle of international law • Each nation-state has sovereignty over its territory, affairs • Non-interference in other nation’s affairs Ratification of one of the Westphalian peace treaties
- 25. Absolutism • Peace of Westphalia • Europe after 1648
- 26. Absolutism • The Fronde • Series of civil wars in France, 1648-1653 • Combined princes, nobility, law courts, most of French people • In opposition to new policies that took power from nobility & increased taxes on the bourgeoisie • Louis XIV & Mazarin prevailed • Increased trend toward absolutism King Louis XIV Crushes the Fronde, 1654
- 27. Absolutism • Louis XIV – “The Sun King” • Most powerful ruler in French history • Ruled without a Chief Minister • Upon death of Cardinal Mazarin in 1661 • Personal control of the reins of government • Launched series of governmental reforms • Fiscal, administrative, military, & religious • In all respects, changes worked to bolster power of monarchy
- 28. Absolutism • Louis XIV – Centralization of Power • Religion: limiting power of Pope in France • Declaration of the Clergy of France 1682 • Bishops couldn’t leave France without royal approval • No appeals to the Pope allowed • No excommunication of government officials for acts as part of their duties • Church law invalid unless approved by the King
- 29. Absolutism • Louis XIV – Centralization of Power • Nobility: increased control over aristocracy • Moved court to Versailles • Nobility wanting access to King had to come to Versailles • Elaborate court ritual centering around the king • Favors and positions distributed according to attendance at court and to Louis XIV
- 30. Absolutism • Louis XIV – Role of Versailles • As a child, witnessed events of the Fronde • Distrust of Paris & higher aristocracy • Hunting lodge & chateau of Louis XIII • Became palace, court for Louis XIV • Renovation 1661-78 • Enlargement 1678-1715 Top, Chateau of Louis XIII at Versailles, 1660-1663; Bottom, During 1st Reconstruction, 1668
- 32. Absolutism • Louis XIV • Court & government moved to Versailles • Extract more control of government from the nobility • Distance himself from the population of Paris • Required nobles of a certain rank & position to spend time each year • Prevented development of regional powers • If nobles consumed with extreme court etiquette, wouldn’t have time to plot and overthrow the government
- 33. Absolutism • Louis XIV • Etiquette at court • Like a carefully choreographed dance • Restricted to where one could stand, how to enter/exit a room, type of chair to sit on • Everything – even private part of the King or Queen’s day – was ruled by protocol and etiquette • Specific ways to approach one’s superiors, even knock on a door • Hint – don’t knock! Scratch door quietly with little finger
- 34. Absolutism • Louis XIV and Ballet • Dance a part of court etiquette for decades • For Louis, means to control the nobility • Ready to join in any of a dozen dances • Intricate, challenging to remember them all • Especially fond of ballet • Age 15 – staged a 12 hour series of mini-ballets that he starred in • Le Ballet de la Nuit
- 35. Absolutism • Louis XIV and Ballet • Masculine displays of athleticism, virility • Louis often danced lead roles in the ballets • At Versailles – elaborate affairs • More than court politics - way to show rest of Europe • France the center of high culture • It pretty much worked – everything French popular at other courts
- 36. Absolutism • Versailles & Absolutism • Palace itself was propaganda • Meant to reflect wealth, power of France • King: embodiment of that wealth, power • Even in materials used for construction • Reflection of France’s greatness • Hall of Mirrors – French, not Italian, mirrors used
- 37. Absolutism • Versailles • The Sun King • France revolved around Louis XIV • As the planets revolved around the Sun
- 39. Absolutism • Absolutist France • Expansion of Territory • Religious suppression • Revoked protections for Huguenots • Continued centralization of power • At expense of nobility & church • With tax exploitation of lower & middle classes
- 40. Absolute Monarchy Sweden & Absolutism
- 41. Absolutism • Swedish Empire • Emerged as a great power by mid-17th c. • King Gustavus Adolphus • The Golden King and The Lion of the North • Brilliant military commander • Led to military supremacy in Thirty Years War • Arguably, domestic reforms just as brilliant • Including establishing modern autocratic bureaucracy
- 43. Absolutism • Sweden: Development of Central Bureaucracy • Required when Sweden entered Thirty Years War • Able to govern at home & fight major war abroad • Under Gustavus Adolphus: • “Form of Government of 1634” • Gave Sweden modern, efficient central government • Creation of the Supreme Court • Establishment of Treasury & Chancery as permanent administrative boards • Admiralty Office & War Office
- 44. Absolutism Woodcut of Stockholm, 1570-80 • Sweden: Development of Central Bureaucracy • “Form of Government of 1634” • Stockholm became a true capital • With permanent population of civil servants • In terms of local government, thorough reform • Creating professional local governments under control of crown • For 1st time, Council of State a permanent organ of government • Able to continue governing when king off to war
- 45. Absolutism • Sweden: Development of Central Bureaucracy • Revitalization & improvement of Stockholm • Reflection of the power & strength of the nation • Administrative reforms to bring about the rebuilding • Office of the Governor of Stockholm established 1634 • Increased regulations on city building, projects • Increased state involvement in commerce & trade • But incorporated nobility, educated class
- 46. Absolutism • Sweden: Development of Central Bureaucracy • The Riksdag of the Estates: national legislature • Limited number of estates represented to four • Nobles, clergy, burghers, peasants • Regulated its procedures • Identified with policies of the monarch • Especially under Gustavus Adolphus Swedish House of Nobility, 18th c.
- 47. Absolutism • Sweden: Development of Central Bureaucracy • Axel Oxenstierna, Chancellor • Senior minister & advisor • Aristocrat • Working relationship with Gustavus Adolphus • Avoided conflict with nobility • Contributions key to modern Swedish state • Continued under Queen Christina
- 48. Absolutism • Sweden: Development of Central Bureaucracy • Queen Christina (1626-1689) • Less cooperation with Axel Oxenstierna • But institutions provided continuity • Abdication in 1654 • Conversion to Catholicism
- 49. Absolutism • Sweden: Development of Central Bureaucracy • Peace of Westphalia - 1648 • Sweden granted territories as war reparations • Third largest area of land control in Europe • Under reign of Charles XI, overthrow of high nobility • And establishment of “bureaucratic absolutism”
- 50. Absolutism • Charles XI of Sweden • Reign divided into two periods • Regency (1660-1672) • Monopolized by members of high nobility • Internal feuds on Privy Council, period of near anarchy • Personal Rule (1672-1697) • Charles XI uses Scanian War to declare need for firm leadership
- 51. Absolutism • Sweden: Development of Central Bureaucracy • 1680: Charles XI targeted the High Nobility • Had acquired land, power, wealth • This was a threat to Sweden’s monarchy • Allied himself with “lesser” classes • Lower nobility, clergy, burghers, peasants • Made legal & constitutional changes in 4 areas • Land, government, army, bureaucracy
- 52. Absolutism • Sweden: Development of Central Bureaucracy • Appeared before the Riksdag of the Estates • Asked the Estates if he was still bound to the Privy Council • Response: "he was not bound by anyone other than himself” • Formal establishment of absolute monarchy in Sweden • 1693: Riksdag of the Estates officially proclaimed king was sole ruler
- 53. Absolutism • Sweden: Central Bureaucracy • Charles XI reforms: policy of resumption • “Great Commission” established • Former royal land sold cheaply to nobility to raise money • Returned to the crown • By end of Charles’ reign in 1697, crown owned 30% of land • Compared to 1% when he became king Läckö Castle, one of many mansions reclaimed by the Crown.
- 54. Absolutism • Sweden: Central Bureaucracy • Modernization & Reform • Table of Ranks (1680) • Revised in 1696 • Promotion dependent on service & merit, not birth • Civil Service increasingly open to commoners • Impact • Government both answerable to king • And working regardless of king • Stabilizing nation, enhancing security
- 55. Absolute Monarchy Russia & Absolutism
- 56. Absolutism • Tsar Peter the Great (1672-1725) • Dynamic, imposing, ruthless • Intelligent & extremely capable ruler • Russia – still in Middle Ages • Feudal economy, with land farmed by impoverished serf class • Became entrenched under Peter the Great • While Renaissance swept Europe, Russia remained underdeveloped • And resisted westernization
- 57. Absolutism • Peter the Great • Built Russian Empire • Most profound influence: opens Russia to Western ideas • Injected European culture into Russia • Transforms Russia into European-style absolute monarchy • Opens Russia up to international commerce • Trade meant wealth, wealth would improve lives of Russian people • Makes Russia major military power Peter contemplating building St. Petersburg on shore of Baltic Sea
- 58. Absolutism • Peter the Great • Early in reign, traveled throughout Europe • Visited shipyards, workshops, factories • Gain knowledge of shipbuilding, clockmaking, copperwork • Returned with 260 chests of • Weapons, scientific instruments, tools • Recruited military & technical experts to teach skills to Russians
- 59. Absolutism • Peter the Great • Reforms to modernize Russia: the Military • Reorganized along modern western examples • From large, irregular, low-quality & ill-prepared • To a standing army • Nobility in the officer corps, after going through the ranks • New training for military • Heavily Russian, through draft – not mercenaries
- 60. Absolutism • Peter the Great • Dream of access to the Sea • More maritime outlets for trade, security • Baltic Sea • Mostly enclosed sea of the Atlantic Ocean • Controlled by Sweden to North of Russia • Black Sea • Controlled by Ottoman & Safavid Empires to South
- 61. Absolutism • Peter the Great • Reforms to modernize Russia: Building a Navy • Brought in foreign advisors with naval expertise • By 1725, had 48 ships and 800 galleys • Officers in Navy were foreign • Crews were Russian • Ships built in Russian shipyards Fleet of Peter the Great, 1709
- 62. Absolutism • The Great Northern War (1700-1721) • Russia vs. Sweden • Ending with Swedish defeat • Leaving Russia new dominant power in Baltic region • Ports on shores of Baltic • New major force in European politics Death of Charles XII of Sweden at Siege of Fredriksten, 1718
- 63. Absolutism • Peter the Great • 1st Tsar to seek access to Black Sea • Ultimately Straits of Constantinople • Gained access to Turkish port of Azov • Forced to surrender back to Turks • But victories in the conflict important • Russia on radar of European nations, began to fear Russia • As they feared Sweden previously Capture of Azov, 1696
- 64. Absolutism • Peter the Great • Modernization cost money • Upgrading military • Including building a navy • Creating new capital at St. Petersburg • Western-style educational institutions • Support for industrialization to increase Russia’s economic role • Wars expanding Russian territory, getting outlet to sea
- 65. Absolutism • Peter the Great • Administrative Reforms • Reducing the power of Russia’s nobility • “Table of Ranks” – created educated class of noble bureaucrats • Formal list of positions and ranks in military, government, and court of Imperial Russia • Service became basis for standing in society • Not birth or wealth • Nobility could be achieved through service to the State
- 66. Absolutism • Peter the Great • Religious Reforms • Deeply religious individual, but low regard for Church hierarchy • Refused to replace Patriarch, leader of the Church in Russia • Replaced position with a Holy Synod • Eliminated potential Patriarch with more power than Tsar • Tsar appointed all Bishops • Limits on the clergy St. Basil’s Cathedral
- 67. Absolutism • St. Petersburg • Peter’s new capital • Russian outlet to West • Part of attempt by Tsar • Reduce power of Church • Take spiritual leadership of Russia away from Moscow • Nobles ordered to move there • Build own homes • To strict architectural designs
- 68. Absolutism • Peter the Great • Peterhof Palace • Russian version of Versailles • Reflection of the power and magnificence of the Tsar • French-style interior, elaborate gardens
- 69. Absolutism • Peter the Great • Tax reform to raise revenues • Abolished land tax and household tax • Replaced with “poll tax” – shifted tax base from just property owners • All individuals, including serfs and paupers • Penalties for those opposing westernization • “Beard tax” – targeted “slavophiles” sticking with Russian customs • Stamp tax – on paper goods Russian beard token, 1705