Chapter 16- Absolutism and Constitutionalism in Western Europe CA.

1589-1715

I. Seventeenth-Century Crisis and Rebuilding

A. Economic and Demographic Crisis
1. Bread was the primary element of a Europeans diet.
2. Agriculture and industry was stressed upon by poor weather.
3. Many Europeans during the seventeenth-century lived in the countryside.
4. The urban poor and the peasants were negatively affected during this time.
B. Seventeenth-Century State-Building
1. Absolute & Constitutional monarchs raised new taxes and attempted to protect
their land in order to consolidate state control.
2. A large, powerful state needed new sources of income/revenue.
3. The nobility during this time resisted the acts of centralization from European
monarchies.
4. Many states overcame the obstacles to achieve new levels of central control.
C. Warfare and Growth of Army Size
1. An organized army was the driving force behind state-building during the
seventeenth-century.
2. Armies during the seventeenth-century become more professional and much more
expensive than an army, for example, in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
3. Monarchs such as Louis XIV had firm control over his armed forces.
D. Popular Political Action
1. Popular revolts were very common in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, and England
in the mid-seventeenth century.
2. Urban disorders were very common in France during the seventeenth-century.
3. Political authorities struggled to overcome popular revolts.
4. States were better able to deal with the popular revolts by the end of the
seventeenth century.
II. Absolutism in France and Spain
A. The Foundations of Absolutism: Henry IV, Sully, and Richelieu
1. Henry IV; lowered taxes on peasants, issued Edict of Nantes (1598)
2. Cardinal Richelieu appointed to council of ministers 1628 during Louis XIIIs
reign.
3. Richelieu divided France into districts, which were each supervised by a single
intendant.
4. Louis XII in 1627 looked to end the Protestant independence (Revoking of Edict of
Nantes set by Henry of Navarre).
5. Urban revolts due to high taxation were common during the later seventeenthcentury.

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Sully built roads and canals; helped infrastructure which also improved the
economy $ (for the king).

B. Louis XIV and Absolutism

1. Taught by Anne and Mazarin; doctrine of the divine right of kings
2. One king, one law, one faith Louis XIV.
3. Reduced power of nobility by use of spies, entertainment, informers, etc.
4. Louis XIV formally revoked the Edict of Nantes in 1685.
5. Louis XIV favored the middle class over the nobles.
C. Financial and Economic Management under Louis XIV: Colbert
1. Financial problems weakened the administration of Louis XIV
2. Colbert used mercantilism and self-sufficiency in France which financially
supported France.
3. Colbert attempted to accomplish self-sufficiency by supporting both old and new
industries, and by forming guilds in these industries.
4. Colbert brought more women into work force, and encouraged immigrants and
foreigners to France to work.
5. Colbert also expanded the French navy/merchant marine, as well as promoting
colonization of French territories in the Americas.
D. Louis XIVs Wars
1. Louis kept France at war for thirty-three of his fifty-four years of reign.
2. Louis developed a large, efficient army subordinate to himself.
3. High taxes supported large military; Louis made some new territorial gains.
4. English, Dutch, Austrians, and Prussians formed the Grand Alliance against Louis
XIV.
5. This conflict was called the War of Spanish Succession.
6. War ended in 1713 with Peace of Utrecht.
E. The Decline of Absolutist Spain in the Seventeenth Century
1. Gold and silver from the Americas were the basis for Spanish power.
2. By around 1715 there was a decline in agriculture, population, merchants &
artisans, etc.
3. Spain participated in wars they could not afford during the seventeenth-century.
4. The Spanish national credit plummeted due to the cancellation of the national debt.