Chapter 16: Absolutism and Constitutionalism Flashcards
What did absolutist kings think they got their power from?
They thought that they received their power from God, he gave them a sacred power to do lead by what God says.
Who is Henry the Great and what did he do for France?
What Religion was Henry the Great?
Henry the Great was the king of France who was able to bring France out of a civil war between Protestants and Catholics. He issued the Edict of Nantes allowing Protestants the right to worship in 150 towns throughout France. He was Catholic.
Who was the head in command for the Nine-year-old Louis XIII?
His mother, Marie de’ Medici, and Cardinal Richelieu.
What did Cardinal Richelieu focus on in the thirty-years-war?
He focused on lowering the power of the Hapsburgs. He sided with the protestants for political gain rather than for his religion.
Who was the Cardinal after Richelieu, and what did he have a struggle with?
It was Cardinal Jules Mazarin and he couldn’t increase his revenues to meet the cost of his wars.
What is a Fronde?
A Fronde is someone who threw mud at passing carriages of the rich, eventually it changed to uprisings in France and were associated with people that opposed the policies of the government.
What is the longest king to reign in European History?
Louis XIV
Why did Louis create a Estates General but never called for meeting?
Because he felt that all power belonged to him and that he didn’t need the people to tell him what to do. He only created it to make the people feel like they had a word in the government.
Why did Louis revoke the Edict of Nantes and forced Protestants to reconvert to Catholicism?
Louis thought that division made his power weaker and he wanted security of the state and that religious unity was essential to his royal dignity.
Where did Louis move his court and government to in 1682? What is so important about Versailles?
He moved it to Versailles where it would be the center of Politics, Arts, and social life.
What was the major problem about Versailles?
That the people could visit at certain hours which lead to loud noise, horrendous smells, and thousands of people crowding everything.
What rituals did Louis make for himself? Who would be lucky in this instance and why?
He made rituals of him waking up and dressing to undressing and going to sleep. The man that would be lucky could give the king his shirt.
Why did so many Nobles want the king’s favor?
Because they could call upon him one day and maybe even get more money and power from the king.
What role did noblewomen play in France?
They could recommend individuals for honors, advocate policy decisions, and break alliances between noble factions. They could bring family connections to marriage in order to form powerful social networks.
What is French Classicism?
French Classicism is France’s take on the Renaissance art from Italy and music. It was also the start of French history which produced plays by Moli’ere and Racine.
