Pyramid Societies in China and France in the 17th-18th Centuries

• AbsolutismAbsolutism- a European idea that one person, given divine - a European idea that one person, given divine right by God, should hold all power. Absolutism became right by God, should hold all power. Absolutism became the global basis for pyramid societies that increasingly the global basis for pyramid societies that increasingly became nations rather than divided states during the 17th became nations rather than divided states during the 17th C in much of the world – never fully realizedC in much of the world – never fully realized

• In France: “One King, one law, one faith”In France: “One King, one law, one faith”

Origins of Absolutism (France and Qing China)

Worldwide depression in the 17th c caused by Worldwide depression in the 17th c caused by global coolingglobal cooling

Decline in central control leads to peasant rebellions, banditry, religious wars and wars with invaders

• ChinaChina- rebels take over Beijing- Ming ruler invites Mongols to help - rebels take over Beijing- Ming ruler invites Mongols to help him regain control, instead they assume power in all of Chinahim regain control, instead they assume power in all of China

• FranceFrance- Religious wars- Catholics vs. Protestants (1562-1598). - Religious wars- Catholics vs. Protestants (1562-1598). Thirty Years War- (1618-1648), Fronde (civil war)Thirty Years War- (1618-1648), Fronde (civil war)

Aspects of Absolutism – Sovereignty in France and China

A. Semi-divine monarch- the “sun gods”A. Semi-divine monarch- the “sun gods” Louis XIV QianlongLouis XIV Qianlong

Kangxi Emperor

Qianlong

Centralization of formal state government

ChinaChina- Civil service bureaucrats was expanded and Civil service bureaucrats was expanded and

Confucianized during the Ming period. (1368-Confucianized during the Ming period. (1368-1644). Competitive jinshi exam largest - education 1644). Competitive jinshi exam largest - education system in the world.system in the world.

- Court eunuchs and censorate (surveillance) Court eunuchs and censorate (surveillance) FranceFrance- Henry IV (Navarro)- Edict of Nantes-Henry IV (Navarro)- Edict of Nantes- gave Protestants (Huguenots) rights in a gave Protestants (Huguenots) rights in a Catholic nation – taken back by Louis XIVCatholic nation – taken back by Louis XIV-- Venal Offices Venal Offices- Cardinal Richelieu- crushes nobles,Cardinal Richelieu- crushes nobles,consolidates power and creates consolidates power and creates intendantsintendants (32 district system)(32 district system)

Enforcing Absolutism

A.A. Large standing armyLarge standing army

B.B. Intellectual Theory Intellectual Theory- French Philosophs Bodin and Bousset write about divine right of French Philosophs Bodin and Bousset write about divine right of

kings and the need for one rulerkings and the need for one ruler- In China, Confucianism and “Mandate of Heaven” divine, In China, Confucianism and “Mandate of Heaven” divine,

absolutist emperorabsolutist emperor

Display of Power – Art, Architecture, Imperial Cities