Chapter 16Part 2Absolutism

Jean Baptiste Colbert (1661-1683)

French Finance minister under Louis XIV

Was Mr. Mercantilism Continued construction of roads and

canals Granted government-supported

monopolies in certain industries Cracked down on guilds Reduced internal tariffs that

hindered internal trade

Colbert Organized French trading

companies to encourage overseas trade: French East India Co. French West India Co.

French mercantilism reached its height under the direction of Colbert

By 1683 France was Europe’s leading

industrial country! Silk, tapestries, mirrors, lace-

making, foundaries for firearms

Colbert’s most impressive contribution: created the French merchant marine

Problems with French Mercantilism

The terrible conditions of the peasants (being taxed to death) caused many to leave the country

Too much $ spent on a huge army and not enough $ spent on the navy

So…France will lose naval wars to England

So many wars during Louis XIV’s reign drained the treasury

Louis XIV’s Wars

1667-68 The War f the Dutch Devolution

1672-78 Second Dutch War1688-97 War of the League of

Augsburg1701-1713 War of the Spanish

Succession

Wars will be initially successful

BUT will be ruinous to the French economy

France will develop the modern professional army

A Balance of Power system emerged in Europe: no single country will be allowed to dominate Europe.

A coalition of other countries will form to prevent one country from dominating

NOTE William of Orange (the Dutch

Stadtholder and later William III of England…William and Mary fame) was the most important person in stopping Louis XIV’s ambitions

War of the Dutch Devolution

1667 Louis XIV invaded the Spanish Netherlands (Belgium) without declaring war

France gained 12 fortified towns on the border of the Spanish Netherlands but gave up Burgundy

1672-78 The Second Dutch War

Louis invaded the southern Netherlands (as revenge for the Dutch interfering in previous war on Belgium)

1678-79 The Peace of Nijmegan: France took Burgundy back from Spain as well as some Flemish towns

1688-97 War of the League of Augsburg

1686 The League of Augsburg was formed by the HRE, Spain, the Dutch Republic, Sweden, Bavaria, Saxony

This was in response to yet another French invasion in 1683

The Coalition is proof of the emergence of a Balance of Power philosophy in Europe

After the start of the war William of Orange became King of

England and brought England into the war against France

Began the Second 100 Years’ War England and France will fight against

each other from 1689-1815 with few years of peace in the mix

The war ended with the status quo as it was before the war

The War of the Spanish Succession

1701-13 Charles II (the Spanish Hapsburg

King) left the Spanish throne to Louis XIV’s grandson and heir!

Other European powers will form a coalition: the Grand Alliance to thwart a mega power emerging in Europe

The Grand Alliance v Spain and France

The Grand Alliance: England, the Dutch Republic, the HRE, Brandenburg, Portugal, Savoy

1704 Battle of Blenheim: a turning point signaling one French defeat after another

John Churchill (ancestor of Winston) aka the Duke of Marlborough, defeated French forces with the English army and the help of Savoy

The Treaty of Utrecht 1713

Maintained the balance of power in Europe

Ended the expansionism of Louis XIV

The Brits were the big winners Spain lost territory and the Asiento

to the Brits Spain gave up Gibraltar and Minorca

to the Brits AND the Brits won the right to send

one ship a year to trade in Spain’s New World territories

The Treaty of Utrecht The Spanish Netherlands (Belgium) was

given to Austria (the HRE) The Netherlands gained some land on

the French border as a buffer Recognition of the kings of Savoy

(Sardinia) and Brandenburg (Prussia)

Louis XIV’s grandson WAS able to take the Spanish throne BUT could not rule France too.

The Spanish and French thrones would NOT be combined

Results of Louis XIV’s wars:

Destroyed the French economy (bankrupted France)

The debt was shouldered by the Bourgeoisie

20% of French subjects died

Big time social and financial tensions

Spain Experienced its Golden Age in the

16th Century

Ferdinand and Isabella began to centralize after their marriage in 1469

The basis for absolutism was formed by Charles V and his son, Philip II

Philip II (1556-1598) ruled Spain at its height of power

Madrid was the Capital Philip built the Escorial to demonstrate

his awesome power (Baroque)

Philip fostered numerous court rituals to reinforce his power

Developed a command economy

Continued the inquisition

Spanish Decline in the 17th Century

Shrinking population: 1550: 7.5 million 1660: 5.5 million

The Spanish economy was hurt by the loss of its middle class (Jews and Moors)

The Decline of the Spanish Economy

Between 1594 and 1680 Spain had to repudiate its debts several times

Treasury was bankrupt Spanish trade with its colonies fell by

60% between 1610 and 1660 (largely due to interference by English and Dutch)

National taxes hit peasants hard Many left the country side for the city Resulted in decreased food production

and rising prices

Spain’s Decline Inflation (from the price Revolution)

hurt domestic industries that were not able to export goods

A poor work ethic did not help: Noble titles sometimes purchased and

provided tax exemptions for the wealthy Capitalism was not prevalent

Political and Military Decline

Although the defeat in the War of the Spanish Armada seemed to be the beginning of the end, Spain was still the most powerful nation into the 17th century

Poor leadership of the three kings following Philip II

Philip III, Philip IV, Charles II all worse than the one before

Spain’s Defeat in the War of the Spanish Succession

Was disastrous Spain lost the Spanish Netherlands

to the Austrian Hapsburgs By 1640 Portugal (ruled for a time

by Spain) established its independence

The Treaty of the Pyrenees 1659

Meant the end of Spain as a great power

War between Spain and France continued for 11 years after the end of the Thirty Years’ War

By 1700 Spain had only 8 ships in its navy

Its army was mostly mercenary Spain lost most of its European

possessions in the Treaty of Utrecht