Absolutism

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 * Absolutism-** Absolutism is the system of Government in which the monarch of a nation rules with supreme rule over their subjects. The monarchs commonly believe in a system of divine right in which they believe God gave them their right to rule. Absolutism can only be successful once the Nobles and Church can be controlled and centralized. Also had to control institutions and groups such as guilds. France, Spain, Central Europe and Russia were all absolutist, and were able to have all power under their rule. Some obstacles Absolute rulers faced included their people all spoke different vernaculars, nobles and church had legal privaleges, and it took long time to convey orders to parts of countries due to lack of technology


 * Jean-Baptiste Colbert-** Colbert founded the Easy Indies Company, he also subsidized the cloth industry, firearm, and steel. Colbert had a central principle that wealth and economy of France should serve the state, and he applied these policies to France. As an example, he created guilds to increase quality standards. He also sent four thousand peasants to the New World, determined to make Canada a part of their empire. After his death, the pressure of warfare caused many of the economic achievements to die.


 * balance of power-** The balance of power is a system in Europe in which when one nation becomes more powerful then the rest the other weaker nations unite together to bring down the powerful nation to their level. This event is most commonly seen between the French and the Hapsburgs through the war of the league of Augsburg.


 * Thomas Hobbes, //Leviathan-//** He wrote a social contract, //Leviathan////,// as an answer to how the country should be governed. His solution was to place society under the absolute rule of a monarch. He describes society as a body: the monarch the head and everyone else as the rest of it. He believed that if society was one body, it cannot sever its own head- that everyone else cannot rise up against the king.

in response to Louis XIV's invasions of the Spanish Netherlands and growing power the League was formed to balance the power of France.
 * War of the Leaque of Augsburg-**


 * War of Spanish Succession**- When Charles II dies with no children to take his spot as ruler of Spain, Charles II's will states the crown belongs to Philip of Anjou, Louis XIV's grandson. This violated an earlier treaty, which stated that the Spanish possessions were to be split between the Holy Roman Empire and France. Louis XIV accepted the will instead, and triggered the War of Spanish Succession. The Peace of Utrecht ended the war, and stated that Phillip could remain king of Spain, but France and Spain could never be united.

“**divine right” of kings-** This was the reason the kings used to justify becoming an absolutist. They claimed they were chosen by god to rule and they answered only to him. This helped them consolidate their power because it god chose them to rule not their ministers and nobles. Enlightened thinkers did not agree with kings using "divine right" to justify absolutism.


 * Treaty of Utrecht-** The treaty to end the war of spanish succession in 1713 that allowed Louis grandson to rule Spain but prevented the crowns of France and Spain from ever combining or all the countrys would gang up on them. England gained land from france in north america


 * First Estate-** The First Estate was comprised of France's Clergy. They paid voluntary taxes and owned much of the land. It consisted of about 100,000 people (~1%) who owned about 20% of the land. They could also tax people. Had goals of higher pay for priests and more influence in government affairs.


 * Second Estate-** The Second Estate was made up of the nobles of France. They paid no taxes and did not want to give up their traditional rights like the feudal rights. their rights included monorial rights (hunt, fish, ect.), and honorific privileges (wear swords**).** It consisted of about 400,000 people (2-4%) that owned about 25% of the land. They gained much more power after Louis XIV died.
 * Third Estate-** The Third Estate is the social group comprised of the commoners or the citizens of France who were not nobles or part of the clergy. France's tax code rested heavily on this estate. majority of this group were peasants but some were very weathly, all were the same legally. It is also important to note that this group comprised everyone that was not in the first two estates.


 * Philip II-** King of Spain and Portugal. An advocate for the Roman Catholic counter-Reformation. Under his reign Spain achieved its greatest amount of influence, power, and land. However he didn't supress the revolt in the Netherlands, losing the Dutch repulic for Spain. He attempted to invade England with his invincible armada, but he failed, naming England as the supreme naval power in Europe. His time was the best time in Spain before it started its rapid decrease.
 * Escorial-** Both a Spanish Royal Palace and a Catholic monastery, El Escorial was funded by Spain's massive gold and silver imports from the new world. It took 21 years to construct, and was finished in 1584.


 * “price revolution” A time of rapid inflation throughout Europe. It was caused mainly by the increase in influx of gold and sliver into Europe from Spain's oversea empires. Also the great population increase (bouncing back from the black death) during this time period may have led to a higher standard of living making prices increase. Also more people were moving into the cities making different demands increase (were no longer growing their own food).**


 * Henry IV-** Also known as "Henry the Great" and "Henry of Navarre." He advocated for a "Chicken in every pot" which helped him become and stay popular. He kept France at peace during his reign. He enacted the Edict of Nantes which allowed Protestants to worship in 150 fortified towns in France. He lowered taxes while increasing revenue. He controlled the nobles because royal officials had an annual fee to guarantee the right to pass down positions to heirs. Nobility of the Robe(new nobility, loyal to king) and Noblity of the Sword(old noblilty, not as loyal) emerges. The most beloved king of France. Is considered a Politique because he was a Hugenot but pretended to be Catholic for the people because that was what was expected from the people. He put political gain before his own views and beliefs.


 * Spanish Armada-** In retaliation over the execution of Mary Queen of Scots (who was catholic), Phillip II sent 130 of Spain's best ships to attack British ports. British naval power was much greater, as British ships were smaller, faster, and better equipped than the Spanish. After taking a beating within the English Channel, what ships were left traveled west then north around England. Due to lack of food, harsh weather, and stormy conditions, only 65 of the Spanish ships returned to Spain. This was a decisive victory for England, but the Spanish improved their navy. This Spanish defeat stopped Phillip II from imposing Catholicism upon England.


 * Bourbon dynasty-** A royal house that originally started in France, members of the House of Bourbon included Philip V of Spain, Henry IV of France, and both Louis XIV and XV.


 * Treaty of the Pyrenees,** 1659- Treaty that ended the French-Spain conflict, caused Spain to surrender territories to France, and helped the era of Spanish dominance end. It gave diplomatic advantage and stability to Louis XIV and weakened the Spanish monarchy.


 * Nobility of the sword-** These were the old nobles; the ones who fought in the medieval wars. **Baroque**- an overblown, unbalanced style of architecture and decorative art. Spread to a lot of the Catholic countries, but wasn't really considered a "Catholic art"- its tension spoke to the age where they were experiencing a lot of violence and controversy in politics and religion. Meant to bring emotion, drama, and motion into the art.

French aristocrats that owed their rank and thus didn't have a title. Most of them inherited their position, and they made up the second estate.
 * Nobility of the robe-**These new nobles ruled and had political power. These nobles actually sat in the Parliament.


 * Duke of Sully: The Hugenot minister to Henry IV. He handled the finacial aspects of Henry's rule. He put in place the Pulette Tax on those who had previously been exempt from paying taxes and who had purchased titles. This was also a tax on salt and land which lead to increase in income. He also strengthened Frances Military establishment. He was the advisor to Henry IV who advised him on all of his decisions. Helped Henry IV to stay at peace, control nobles, increase revenue, and improve infrasturcture.**


 * Versailles Palace- Former hunting lodge of Louis XIV's father this massive building was expanded and became the home of the French court. This palace soon became the center of politics in France with tons of visitors. This was supposed to help Louis keep an eye on his nobals making them spend at least part of the year there competeing for his favor. This competition helped louis consolidate his power by making the nobals agree with him to earn his favor.s**

=**Cardinal Richelieu- adviser and influence to Luis the XII,**=  laid foundation for absolutism by centralizing power; considered a politique, put to enhance the position of the king. His goal is the distruction of the Habsburgs and stomping out Protestantism in France, he introduced the Peace of Alais which was when Huguenots lost fortified cities & Protestant armies, they were still allowed to practice, but even noble influence was reduced. He tried to establish absolute power by using intendants and weakning the nobles.
 * // Politique- //** The Politique form of ruling involves being moderate and not taking sides on issues. Good examples of Poltiques are Henry IV of France and Queen Elizabeth II of England. they believed that only a strong monarchy could save France from total collapse. Politiques also favor politics (saving the nation) over religious views


 * Winter Palace**- The Russian palace that Peter the Great built and resided in, displaying Russia's great imperial power. It was built in St. Petersburg Peter the Great's "window to the west." It was created to show Russias westernization. He wanted a modern palace like the Palace of Versialle to require his nobility and chief of staff to live in-and thus watch over them and have more power and control. It was relatively modest in comparison to other royal palaces throughout Europe.


 * Intendant system- A system of government that split up the country into areas all governed by a loyal intendent of the king. The intendent was usualy someone of the low nobility or upper class that never had this much power befor. **


 * Dutch Style- also in the Boroque style, but the Dutch led the way in developing still lifes, landscapes, and genre paintings.**


 * Rembrandt- one of the greatest Baroque artists. His two wives and four sons both died tragically which offset his financial success. He is considered the greatest historic painter in Dutch history. Rembrandt also taught many Dutch painters for twenty years.**


 * Louis XIV, “sun king”- During his reign the French monarchy reached the peak of absolutist development. Louis selected councilors from the recently ennobled or the upper class and pursued the policy of protestant representation launched by Richelieu. Louis also revoked the Edict of Nantes. He put forth a new law ordering the destruction of Hugeunot churches, the closing of schools, the Catholic baptist of Heuguenots, and the exile of Huguenot pastors who refused to renounce their faith. He added on the his fathers hunting palace to make Versailles which he spent much of the french budget on and used it to keep an eye on the nobles.**


 * French Classicism- The lively and upbeat artwork and literature of the Age of Louis XIV. Renaissance style of copying antiquity. Used balance, discipline, restraint (sculptures). Nicholas Poussin best example of French Classicism painting. It was a complete change from the Baroque style used to create and emotion.**


 * “L’etat,C’est moi”- Means "I am the state." Louis XIV used this phrase in showing that he had absolute control over everything, even the government (state).**


 * Jean Racine- one of Louis XIV favorite play writes. A part of french classicism. He is one of the three great playwrites of 17th century France and is an important literary character in Western tradition.**


 * Fronde-** A series of violent uprisings during the early reign of Louis XIV (1648-1653) triggered by growing royal control and oppressive taxation. This term was applied to anyone apposing the government. Started when nobles began to rebel against the king because he was 4 and that started a civil war because they want the power taken away from Richelieu back so they stormed into the castle. A tax was to be placed on the members of parliament and they refused to pay. They are said to be the cause of Louis XIV's need for absolute control.


 * Moliere-** .One of Louis XIV's favorite play writers. His plays were performed in the French courts, which helped to spread French theater and culture. He made comedies to show what is wrong with society


 * Cardinal Mazarin-** Richelieu's successor, he attempted to reduce war debts after Richelieu. This increase in taxation lead to widespread discontent, which was a major component in the Fronde.


 * Corvee-** A form of unpaid labor, which was often required of people of lower classes. State-imposed manual labor was used as a way to pay taxes, if said individual didn't have enough money.


 * mercantillism**: Similar to bullionism this was the belief that a nations wealth is based on its wealth mainly its gold and silver. There were also economic regulations aimed at increasing the power of the state. you sell more goods than you buy. It was the direct cause of the age of exploration because of the price revolution.


 * bullionism**:- Bullionism is a policy in which the government stockpiles gold. This bullionism system works hand in hand with the mercantilism policy.