Absolute Monarchy: Crash Course European History #13

Crash Course European History: The Rise of Absolutism

Introduction to the 17th Century

• John Green introduces the topic, focusing on the second half of the 17th century, highlighting the end of the Thirty Years' War and the onset of the Scientific Revolution.

• The concept of absolutism is introduced, emphasizing that kings claimed divine right to rule, with Louis XIV as a prime example.

Louis XIV: The Sun King

• A description of Louis XIV's portrait showcases his regal appearance, including his elaborate attire and high heels which were symbols of desirability at that time.

• Louis XIV began his reign at just four years old in 1643 amidst widespread unrest due to heavy taxation and famine caused by climatic conditions.

Social Unrest and Taxation

• Ordinary people blamed tax collectors rather than the king for rising taxes during famine times, illustrating a disconnect between rulers and subjects.

• After Louis XIII's death, his mother Anne of Austria served as regent while facing protests from both peasants and nobility over military expenditures.

Military Conflicts and Nobility

• Anne increased military deployments against Spain and Austria despite public dissent, aiming to expand French territory amid economic hardship.

• Continuous warfare strained noble resources since they were responsible for raising their own armies; this led to instability within aristocratic ranks.

Resistance Movements

• Various groups like Pieds Nus (barefooted ones), Croquants (crunchers), and judges protested against rising taxes; one judge highlighted extreme sacrifices made by ordinary citizens.

• A humorous comparison is made about black bread in 17th-century France being often mixed with sawdust, reflecting dire nutritional conditions.

Judicial Power vs. Monarchy

• Earlier in the century, judges temporarily undermined royal authority through a new tax called Paulette which allowed bureaucrats job security in exchange for payment.

• This created a powerful class known as nobles of the robe who resisted attempts by Anne of Austria and Cardinal Mazarin to remove them from power.

The Fronde: Noble Uprisings

• Tensions escalated as nobles protested against arbitrary tax increases; this culminated in significant protests leading to temporary victories over royal authority.

• The nobility’s triumph indicated that absolute monarchy was not entirely unchallenged; it revealed cracks in royal power dynamics.

Emergence of Jansenism

• A new religious movement called Jansenism emerged advocating for spiritual renewal amidst societal turmoil; it challenged existing church practices deemed insufficient.

Conclusion: Transitioning Power Dynamics

The Brilliance of Louis XIV and the Nature of Absolutism

The Court of Versailles

• Louis XIV's strategy to raise funds and secure loyalty involved creating a spectacular court life at Versailles, akin to how a parent might distract an unhappy child.

• By the 1680s, Versailles became a grand palace complex housing around 15,000 people, with additional buildings for servants and mistresses.

• Nobility engaged in elaborate status games, with honors such as attending to the king’s personal needs, enhancing their roles in court life.

• The nobility's behavior elevated the king's image, portraying him as more than human; this led to his title "the Sun King."

Divine Right and Religious Conformity

• During absolutism, monarchs claimed divine right; Bishop Bossuet asserted that kings were appointed by God and acted as His ministers.

• Bossuet emphasized that royal authority was divinely sanctioned, making any action by the king inherently correct.

• Although Louis XIV likely never said "L'état c'est moi," he embodied state power and authority through his actions.

• Viewing Protestants as disorderly, Louis revoked the Edict de Nantes in 1685, leading to mass emigration of skilled Protestants from France.

Bureaucracy and Economic Policies

• The success of Louis XIV’s regime relied on effective bureaucrats like intendants who managed tax collection across regions.

• Jean-Baptiste Colbert played a crucial role in overseeing finances and promoting economic growth through mercantilism.

• Colbert supported French expansion into North America during a period when fur trade was highly lucrative due to climate conditions.

Mercantilism: A Zero-Sum Game

• Mercantilist theory posited that wealth was finite; one kingdom's gain meant another's loss. This shaped foreign relations policies significantly.

• High tariffs were enacted against competitors' goods; cotton textiles were banned despite smuggling being rampant among citizens seeking them.

Military Campaigns and Their Consequences

• Louis XIV waged four major wars: War of Devolution (territorial gains), Dutch War (additional land), War of the League of Augsburg (losses), and Spanish Succession (significant losses).

• These conflicts illustrated how a zero-sum worldview could exhaust resources rather than expand them for France.

Critique of Absolutism

• By the end of his reign, absolutism faced criticism; exiled Huguenots described France under Louis as filled with suffering due to tyrannical rule focused on ambition rather than governance.

Political Theory and Power Dynamics in Europe

The Impact of Monarchical Divinity on French Society

• The establishment of a political theory based on monarchical divinity resulted in significant taxation and loss of life due to wars, aimed at creating a system that supported royal power.

• This system was largely disempowering for the French public, highlighting the negative social implications of absolute monarchy.

Comparison with Constitutionalism in England

• In contrast, the rise of Constitutionalism in England represented a shift towards power-sharing but was not devoid of violence.

• Despite its violent origins, Constitutionalism enshrined certain ideas about human rights, marking an important evolution in political thought.

Conclusion and Acknowledgments

• The video concludes with thanks to viewers and credits to contributors involved in producing "Crash Course European History."