“terrifying majesty”: the french absolutist...
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“Terrifying Majesty”: The French Absolutist State
Foundations of European Absolutism
Absolutism Monopolize state sovereignty Goal? Methods of Compulsion Foreshadows 20th C Totalitarianism
Henry IV (r. 1589-1610) Bourbon “Chicken in every pot” — Duke of Sully Edict of Nantes (1598) Paulette
Cardinal Richelieu “Reasons of State”
Foundations of French Absolutism
Louis XIV, throne at 5 yrs. old Cardinal Mazarin Fronde (1648-53) Results
Govt. will have to compromise with bureaucracy Economy = badly disrupted Political education of Louis XIV
Foundations of French Absolutism
The “Sun King” RisesLouis XIV (r. 1643-1715) Background
“Sun King” “Age of Louis XIV” Bishop Bossuet Divine Right of Kings Effects of the Fronde “I shall see”
“Terrifying Majesty” “every moment and every inch a king” Estates General never called Secret police, informers, opening letters
Contemporary Thoughts on Louis XIV’s Absolutism
One of Louis XIV’s biggest critics, Saint-Simone, wrote, “[louis XIV] reduced everyone to subjugation, and brought to his court those very persons he cared least about. Whoever was old enough to serve did not dare demur. It was still another device to ruin the nobles by accustoming them to equality and forcing them to mingle with everyone indiscriminately… Louis XIV took great pains to inform himself on what was happening everywhere, in public places, private homes, and even on the international scene… Spies and informers of all kinds were numberless… But the King’s most vicious method of securing information was opening letters.”
Economic & Domestic PolicyTax System Jean Baptist Colbert Mercantilism Revocation of Edict of Nantes (1685)
Required Cath. baptism, closure of churches/schools 800,000+ Huguenots emigrate Economy?
Louis XIV’s Wars33 of 54 years at war
Expansion of military, increase in costs Professional army = soldiers employed/directed by the state (Louvois) Recruitment:
conscription lottery dragooning
Louis XIV’s Wars
Netherlands (1667-78): Mercantilism
Louis XIV’s Wars
Problems: Financially exhausting Sale of offices, titles Nation’s silver Taxation of Peasants = REVOLT!
Bad harvests 1688 & 1694 1/10 pop dies
War of the League of Augsburg (1688-97):
Louis XIV’s Wars
Issue: Charles II will -- Phil of Anjou (Louis’ grandson) Balance of Power: “What rapture, the Pyrannees no longer exist!” Grand Alliance
Eugene (Prince of Savoy) & Duke of Marlborough
War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1713):
Peace of Utrecht (1713): Phil = King... BUT no French-Spanish union Spanish Empire declines British Empire vastly expanded French aggressive foreign policy ends
Court Society/CultureVersailles = model for most of Europe
largest building in Europe Louis = rock star for 50 years Cultural Program (Peter Burke) Domestication of the Nobles
L’etat c’est moi (“I am the state”)Apres moi, le deluge (“After me, the flood”)
Question to Ask: How does the King want to be represented?