EUROPEAN ABSOLUTISM AND POWER POLITICS (1650-1715)

SEMESTER:
( B.S ) Eighth (S.S)

SUBMITTED TO:
RESPECTED SIR. FAHEEM ARSHAD
SUBMITTED BY:
SUMAIRA MALIK (153)

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH, UNIVERSITY OF SARGODHA

PHILOSOHY OF ABSOLUTISM
Jean Bodin
He was a French scholar. He originated the concept of Sovereignty.
Thesis
Only he is absolute sovereign who, after God , acknowledges no one greater than himself
Thomas Hobbes
He gave most influential justification of absolutism in his book leviathan.
Thesis: A bad ruler is better than anarchy. Sovereign lawfully demands obedience of his
subjects, who have no right of revolution.
Bishop Jacques Bossuet
He gave justification of absolute monarchy, based on religion.
Thesis: the ruler acted as the agent of God.
France was perfect example of absolute monarchy. Louis xiv of France was an absolute monarch
of France.
Louis XIV
He ruled France for 72 years which is considered longest in European history.
Achievements
I. Centralized power
II. Expanded French territory
III. Made France the greatest economic, political and cultural power in Europe
IV. Built the palace of Versailles
V. He was an absolute monarch
He centralized power by controlling religion, nobility. He introduce concept of Intendents who
replaced nobility
For centuries, nobles had unchecked power
Ran the military
Refused to obey laws
Constant insurrection
Fronde (1648) were series of civil wars. Nobles want to keep feudal power and not pay
taxes.
Replaced nobles with intendants-officials royal to the nobility.
Religion
Eliminating freedom of religion
Cancelled the Edict of Nantes (grandfather,1598)allowed freedom of religion for hugenots
(French Calvinists)
Limits power of Catholic Church
Declaration of clergy of France Limited the popes power in France. Louis had authority.
Military, law and economy
Louis built a strong centralized military loyal only to him
Nobles out
Administration in
Introduced the Code Louis xiv- centrailized code of law for all France
Appointed Jean baptiste Colbert
Practiced Mercantilism
Made France rich
Wars in Europe
Louis xiv expanded French territory through several ways
France-Dutch War
Gained lands in the Netherlands (from Spain) France remained as the great power
War of the Grand alliance
Everyone vs. France Gained Alsace region-half of the Alsace-Lorraine region
War of Spanish Succession
Ultimately unsuccessful attempt to take over Spanish territories
England
England was unable to become country which involved absolute monarchy. England suffers
from Parliament versus Crown-a ten years struggle (1642-1689)
House of Stuart (1603-1714) first kings of United Kingdoms-English monarchs
Charles 1 First civil war-, lost throne and his head
Charles 2 Son of Charles 1
James 2 Lost his throne and establishment of supremacy of parliament
The Puritan revolution (1642-49):
The civil war
 Royalists (nobility), Roman Catholics, Anglican royal to Charles 1
Parliamentarians (roundheads), business classes and farmers and against Charles 1
Oliver Cromwell was a leading figure established New Model Army.
Independents (no compromise with Charles 1)
Battle of Naseby (1645)-Charles 1 surrendered
Execution of king Charles 1
Plenty of members of parliament were unhappy to see king on trial (96)
These members are stopped to go into parliament by colonel Pride
Independents who want to see trial of king are allowed to go-known as
Rump Parliament (60).It is also known as Pride Purge. Charles 1 was beheaded. England
officially becomes republic but Cromwell ruled it as a dictator.
Stuart rule was restored with Charles 2 (1660-85)
Glorious Revolution (1688-89)
Restoration of crown followed by glorious revolution .It is start of constitutional monarchy in
England.
William and Mary of Orange ascended the throne as joint monarchs and defenders of
Protestantism
Supremacy of Parliament. King and queen were not allowed to take any decision without
permission of parliament.
Cultural Period
The Baroque style
The Catholic Church wanted art that would inspire and move the worshiper.It also wanted art
that would sell the Catholic religion. Baroque art tends to focus on Saints, the Virgin Mary,
and other well- known bible stories Baroque art is characterized by great drama, rich deep color,
and intense light and dark shadows.
Literature
John Dryden
Famous for social and political satire
Samuel Pepys
Work The Spectator Papers
Clear picture of the social life of London with extensive social criticism.
Scientific revolution
John Locke
Empiricism-we gain knowledge through senses. Subjects have right to revolt
Isaac Newton
Three laws of motion
Law of Inertia: Every object keeps its state unless an external force is applied to change their
state.
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction opposite in direction, equal in magnitude.
Theory of gravitation
Paintings
Two outstanding Dutch painters
1) Rembrandt:
He is famous for dramatic baroque style
Works: Christ in the Storm on Lake of Galilee (1632) 2: Self Portrait
2) Frans Hals
He is famous for his portraits with brush strokes.
Work: Young Married Couple