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The Reign of Louis XIV. Sovereignty. A sovereign power has the right to… Make laws Administer justice Tax -- Intendants Control the administrative system Make foreign policy. However, the power was not absolute. There was the possibility of revolt. Just ask Charles I!!.
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Sovereignty • A sovereign power has the right to… • Make laws • Administer justice • Tax -- Intendants • Control the administrative system • Make foreign policy
However, the power was not absolute. There was the possibility of revolt. Just ask Charles I!! Absolute Monarch • Not limited by restrictions or exceptions; unconditional • Unconstrained by constitutional or other provisions: an absolute ruler. • A form of government in which all power is vested in a single ruler or other authority. Sounds good to me!
Divine Right • The doctrine that monarchs derive their right to rule directly from God and are accountable only to God.
Decline of Feudalism • Local rulers became weaker • Territorial Conflicts • Created Uncertainty • Gave successful rulers more power Absolute Monarchs • Colonial Wealth • Created tremendous wealth for those who could conquer new lands • Religious Conflict • Created Uncertainty • Gave successful rulers more power
Nobility Monarch Nobility Nobility Feudal System • Days of Service • Provided Soldiers during Time of War • Acted as Advisors • Consented to taxes Nobility
Nobility Monarch Nobility Nobility Nobility Absolutism • Bypassed the nobility • Maintained Permanent Standing Armies • Created bureaucracies to collect taxes and enforce rules • Controlled all competing institutions within their kingdoms – Church, law, economies
Louis XIV (1643 – 1715) Establishing Power • Feared Nobility – Fronde (slingshot) • Palace of Versailles • Nobility came to him • Ordered castle fortifications destroyed • Inspired awe • Separated power from privilege • Trappings vs. substance • Traded • Stable rule (72 years or 54 years)
Versailles Statistics • 2,000 acres of grounds • 12 miles of roads • 27 miles of trellises • 200,000 trees • 210,000 flowers planted every year • 80 miles of rows of trees • 55 acres surface area of the Grand Canal • 12 miles of enclosing walls • 50 fountains and 620 fountain nozzles • 21 miles of water conduits • 3,600 cubic meters per hour: water consumed • 26 acres of roof • 51,210 square meters of floors • 2,153 windows • 700 rooms • 67 staircases • 6,000 paintings • 1,500 drawings and 15,000 engravings • 2,100 sculptures • 5,000 items of furniture and objects d'art • 150 varieties of apple and peach trees in the Vegetable Garden
The King’s Bed The Queen’s Bed
Mercantilism • Economic system of the 16th and 17th Centuries • Export more than you import – favorable balance of trade (more gold and silver in than out) • Protective policies • Tariffs • Foreign retaliation • Do everything you can to build up trade • Ports, shipping, navy, domestic industries, tariffs, trade regulations
French Wars • Costly with few benefits • War of Spanish Succession • Charles II (Carlos II) – childless Spanish king • Leaves throne to Philip, duke of Anjou (Bourbon) • Grandson of Louis XIV (Bourbon) • England, Austria, and the German states opposed it • Balance of power • Philip becomes king • Two thrones must never unite
Legacies of Absolutism • • Absolutism paved way for modern nations • – Strong, centralized governments • • Mercantilism • • Standing armies • • Internal improvements • – Nationalism • • Promotion of common culture, identity
Louis XIV - Mistakes • Taxes • Sold offices – permanent tax exemption • Exempted nobility • Tax burden was placed on the peasants • Wars • Excessive spending
Chief Ministers • Cardinal Richelieu (Louis XIII) • Cardinal Mazarin (Louis XIV) • Colbert -- Mercantilism