MAGISTER RICARDAP EURO

THE CULTURE OF ABSOLUTISM AND CONSTITUTIONALISM

CH 16: Absolutism and Constitutionalism in Western

Europe (1589-1715)

Questions to Consider

How did the influence of absolute monarchs affect culture? Or did the cultural influences of the time create the

notion of an absolute monarch?How did the monarchs of England lose their

power?

CHAPTER 16 : ABSOLUTISM AND CONSTITUTIONALISM IN WESTERN

EUROPE (1589-1715)

The Culture of Absolutism

Baroque Art and Music

Rome and the Catholic Church played a key role in development of baroque style

Most fully developed in Catholic countries Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) represents baroque

painting Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) represents

baroque music

Court Culture

Versailles sets trend in court cultureBecomes center of French stateSymbol of Louis XIV’s powerNobles were required to spend part of the

year in attendanceAccess to the king translates into political

and economic powerWomen take on a more prominent role in

patronage system

French Classicism

Refers to imitation of Roman and Greek artistic models with the values of discipline, restraint, and balance in art

After 1660s, artists focused on glorifying Louis and the state Nicholas Poussin exemplifies French classicism in

painting Jean-Baptiste Lully music Moliere and Racine in theater

CHAPTER 16 : ABSOLUTISM AND CONSTITUTIONALISM IN WESTERN

EUROPE (1589-1715)

Constitutionalism

Absolutist Claims in England (1603-1649)

After much bloodshed and instability, England emerged as a constitutional monarchy

James I (1603-1625) succeeds Elizabeth I, asserts his divine right to rule and antagonizes Parliament

House of Commons objects Members comprised of new wealthy, capitalist class

Religious Divides

James I and his successor, Charles I (r. 1625-1649) sympathized with Catholics Puritans in House of Commons were suspicious

In 1640 Charles I summons Parliament to request funding to suppress a rebellion in Scotland Parliament passes laws which limit Charles’ power Irish uprising leads to civil war

Charles I is executed by Parliament in 1649 Parliament is unable to address issue of sovereignty

England becomes military dictatorship run by Oliver Cromwell 1649-1660

Puritanical Absolutism in England

Oliver Cromwell and the ProtectorateCromwell attempts to create a community of

Puritan saintsAfter Cromwell’s death in 1658, England had

enough of military rule Longed for restoration of civilian rule, restoration of

common law By 1660, ready to restore monarchy

The Restoration

Charles II (r. 1660-1685) is invited back from exile in France

Limits Parliament by creating 5 man panelCharles II is caught in secret negotiations,

panic ensues Was negotiating with Louis XIV for gradual return to

Catholicism in England and an alliance against Netherlands

The Restoration

James II succeeds (r. 1685-1688) but is an open Catholic

Places many Catholics in high positionsDeclares universal religious tolerance

Anglican bishops refuse to read his proclamationJames II’s wife produces a male heir

Fear of Catholic dynastyParliament offers throne to his daughter,

Mary (Protestant)

The Restoration

James II flees in 1688 to FranceMary and her Dutch husband, Prince William

of Orange are crowned king and queen of England

The Triumph of England’s Parliament

Constitutional Monarchy and Cabinet Government

The “Glorious” Revolution – Parliament’s expulsion of James II

Bill of Rights passed by Parliament Guarantees independence of judiciary Parliament has power to make laws and freedom of

debate Protestants granted religious toleration

The Triumph of England’s Parliament

John Locke’s Second Treatise of Civil Government (1690) defends Glorious Revolution Government was a contract between ruled and ruler

for protection of life, liberty, and propertyGlorious Revolution was not a democratic

revolution Few English subjects could vote in election of

ParliamentCabinet system is born in 18th centuryA cabinet of ministers, responsible to

Parliament, governed Further diminishes power of monarch

The Dutch Republic of 17th Century

Basis of power rested on assemblies of wealthy merchants in each of 7 provinces called “Estates”

A federal assembly, “States General”, ran foreign policy – but served the Estates

States General appointed a stadtholder in each province/Estate Sometimes men held the post of stadtholder in all 7

provincesPower relied on commercial prosperity

The Dutch Republic of 17th Century

The Netherlands was the only realm in Europe that allowed nearly complete religious toleration

In 1650, Dutch owned half of the ships in Europe

Dutch, as a result, controlled much of European trade

Had arguably the highest standard of living in the world

Began to decline around the time of the War of Spanish Succession