ABSOLUTISM Flashcards
What is Absolutism?
*Political theory
*Centralizes political power in one person absolutely
*Related but distinct from the Divine Right of Kings
How is absolutism different from Divine right of kings?
- Divine Right of Kings: the monarch’s power comes directly from God and they are not answerable to any earthly party
*“Only God can judge me. - Absolutism: the power of the state is centralized on the monarch
Explain how Jean Bodin created the philosophical base for absolutism?
: the state, represented by the monarch, has the task of managing the common interests of the Estates and the population at large
*The state is absolute, indivisible, and perpetual. The monarch is the mortal representative of the state
Monarch have omnipotent power but must respect the natural law, the Divine law, and the right to family and property
What are the three social origins of Absolutism?
- Nationalization:
- Centralization
- Church & state become entwined
- Nationalization: the development of the nation as the entity with which citizens are supposed to identify (you’re not from London, your English)
- Centralization: Public Image of King = Important to public
- Church & state become entwined:
*English model: king as head of church
*French model: king employs clergy as close advisors
Who was Louis XIV (14)?
His father died, didn’t want wife taking over (set up a council)
- She objects and takes over
Attempts to shield 12 year old from public (ppl try break into castle to see him sleeping)
Reaches majority in 1651, begins personal reign after Mazarin dies in 1661
What was the Fronde civil war?
frondeurs were feudal aristocrats trying to protect traditional rights and defend themselves against centralization
Who was Cardinal Mazarin?
replaced Richelieu in the court after he died
- After the death of Louis XIII (13), Mazarin became the key advisor to Anne of Austria (Queen Mother).
How did Cardinal Mazarin organize King Loiuis 14ths marriage?
Louis liked Mazarin’s niece (Mazarin then sent her away cuz she disagreed with him a lot and he didn’t want the Queen to disagree with him)
- Arranged to cousin instead ( Maria Theresa of Spain as per Anne’s request)
What was Cardinal Mazarin later life / death like?
Dislikes (enemies were accusing him of embezzlement)
- Will 1: Give Items to King
- Will 2: If king rejects (he knew he would) create college
- Attempt to restore faith in him
How did King Louis 14 rule?
King governed with ministers to assist him but was the sole and final decision-maker
*By 1715 there were 4 distinct councils that he chaired which oversaw everything from finance to ecclesiastical matter
Instituting military command structure limited noble authority
Who is Jean-Baptiste Colbert?
: First Minister of State, supplanting Nicolas Fouquet who had embezzled from the crown, ruthless in his work
Why was Palace of Versailles made?
Was initially the expansion of a hunting lodge
- Planned by a Jean-Baptiste Colbert
- Absolutism in action
Why was the Palace of Versailles so important?
Louis XIV orders the construction of the city of Versailles to house and service the palace
*The palace as the seat of the government = Paris is unofficially supplanted
Why is the construction of Hall of Mirrors in Versailles so important?
How mirrors were made was coveted in Venice
- a show of technological force
(Also either someone snitched or they were smart enough to make it)
Why did people go to Versailles?
(king wouldn’t leave, had to go there to curry favour)
- Moving aristocrats away from their natural powerbase & forcing them to compete
- Extremely rigid etiquette that reinforced the hierarch (sitting and standing ways were determined by social class)
Why was the King becoming a public figure?
Because so much state power was centralized on the king, needed a good image
Did Louis like being centre of attention?
Yes
Louis XIV sees to it that his image is spread through all the arts, including on coins and medallions as well as portraits
Appeal to Classical imagery = more contemporary luxure
*Riding on the success of Louis XIV’s regency & personal rule
What was the king like in private? (Marriage)
1660: Marriage to Maria Theresa of Spain 6 children, 1 (the dauphin) survived to adulthood
*Maria Theresa, by all accounts, a fairly boring woman = deeply pious
*Louis said on her death that she had never caused him a single issue on any other occasion
What was the king like in private? (affairs)
Louis XIV was never faithful we do not know how many mistresses he had in total
*Some of the more famous ones:
Louise de la Vallière (5 children),
Mme de Montespan (7 children),
Mme de Maintenon (former governess to Mme de Montespan’s kids)
*Probably secretly married Mme de Maintenon at the end of his life (open secret)
What was the king like in private? (interests)
Personally quite pious; viewed himself as the protector of Catholicism in France
*Loved art and took a direct role as patron of the arts = commissioned over 300 portraits of himself
*Danced in court ballets, almost as much as professional dancer
Why were some people mistresses (advantages)?
*Being a royal mistress = advancement at court
*Some husbands and fathers encouraged this
What is the difference between official and unofficial mistress?
Official mistress = like a job
Stress of being a mistress?
Can be replaced at any moment
What is an example of the drama that comes with being a mistress?
1670s: after being replaced and humiliated, Louise de la Vallière becomes a Carmelite nun
*1677: Mme de Montespan is implicated in a poisoning scandal to kill a rival
*Also accused of conducting a Black Mass to ensnare the king’s attention in the first place
What happens to children of mistresses?
Illegitimate children often received titles and status (good marriages & income)
*1673: Louis legitimizes his 3 surviving children with Mme de Montespan
How does france operate under absolutism?
All of France operates on an uneasy compromise between the traditional powers (regional aristocrats) and an increasingly centralized monarcy
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How is language at this time in France?
Most ppl speak regional dialects (hard to communicate) = importance of imagery and propaganda
How did professional classes start to emerge in France?
Cities become centres of administration rather than craft and manufacturing
*Artisanal works include a class of luxury goods (including colonial commodities) for the increasingly centralized aristocracy
What is the major challenge to Absolutism?
Checks on the king’s power
How is the kings power checked?
- Financial
- Parliament
- Fundamental laws
- Religion
- Financial
- money = restraint on royal lifestyle and policies
- Parliament
-Had judicial parliaments - Fundamental laws
Some principles:
*Hereditary transmission of titles through the male line
*Distinction between the state (eternal) and the king (mortal)
*Monarchs had to be Catholic - Religion
- King act with religious ethics
- In theory god could have checked the king’s power (by striking him down if God doesn’t agree)
How takes over after Louis 14th?
Grandson 16th (executed one)
What were people demanding from king with fall of absolutism?
Influence of Protestantism & Counter-Reformation: Him to be morally pure
Shift in culture
What do some historians argue about now?
If there really was absolutism
