Absolutism and Constitutionalism

I. Defining Absolutism

A. King is not head of state, he IS the state

1. His sovereign power is indivisible and unchallengeable

B. Motives for absolutism

1. centralized political authority counteracts religious and social division

2. it seeks to unlock the potential power of the nation-state

C. European movement

1. Philip II worked towards absolutism, but failed

2. England under Charles I and II

3. France is the most successful absolutist state

4. Prussians and Russians

II. Implementation of Absolute Monarchy in France

A. Cardinal Richelieu--brains behind the throne

1. takes advantage of French desire for peace and order

2. weakens the Protestants and nobles

3. rules without Estates General

B. Rebellion of nobles is defeated (1648-53)

C. New social contract under Louis XIV (1643-1715)

1. nobles resign independence for a place at court

2. win power by acting their part in the intricate script of courtly life

III. Staging Absolutism

A. The stage: the Palace of Versailles

1. other-worldly splendor

B. The actor: Louis XIV

1. has the acumen for the job

2. Rigaud's portrait of Louis

C. The play

1. Daily rituals of attendance on the king

2. delicate dance of service and favors

V. Defining Constitutionalism

A. Sovereignty of the law instead of king

1. founded on concept of a commonwealth and rule of law

B. Motives for constitutionalism

1. older social contract of consultation

a. especially strong in England

2. conflict with kings

a. body politic has a unity separate from monarchy

b. this might be religion, consultative body, or both

VI. The Netherlands—the first modern republic

A. Protestant provinces establish a republic (1584)

1. local provinces have self-government: power of central council limited

2. The Stadtholder was chief of the council, but not a king

B. First modern state based upon a strong "middle class"

1. money more important than birth in social rank

2. sense of equality and camaraderie born of independence wars

3. Frans Hals, Officers of the Haarlem Militia Company (1627)

VII. English Parliament revolts against King Charles I (1625-49) [English Civil War]

A. Religious grievances--Elizabethan balance is lost

1. Charles's desire to root out Calvinism with English church

2. builds power of bishops, demands more ritual

3. war breaks out in Scotland against king's religious policy

B. Tax policy

1. king attempts to govern without Parliament

2. calls Parliament to raise new taxes for unpopular war in Scotland

C. Civil War

1. King flees London, regroups in the West

2. Parliament forms the "New Model Army"

a. promotion by merit, not birth

b. soldiers fight for the cause of freedom

c. rise of Oliver Cromwell as general and political leader

3. King captured, tried and beheaded as a traitor (1649)

D. Commonwealth

1. Oliver Cromwell rules as �Lord Protector�

2. questions of religious freedom and democracy hard to resolve

3. after Cromwell's death (1658), monarchy is restored

VIII. Second English Revolution

A. Restoration: Charles II (1660-1685)

1. careful not push his power too far

B. James II (1685-89)

1. NOT careful to push too far. Wants to be an absolute monarch, like his

his contemporary, Louis XIV

2. Attempts to restore Catholicism, imposes laws without Parliamentary approval, arrests

judges and bishops who oppose him.

C. Glorious Revolution (1688-89)

1. English nobles arrange a friendly takeover by the Dutch stadtholder

2. impose the Bill of Rights limiting power of the monarchy

3. king and country now subject to the rule of law (constitutional monarchy)