Download Spielvogel - Chapter 15

Spielvogel - Chapter 15 “State Building and the Search for Order in the Seventeenth Century”
Focus Questions:
What economic, Social, and political crises did Europe experience in the first half
of the 17th c.?
What theories of government were proposed by Jacques Bossuet, Thomas
Hobbes, and John Locke, and how did their respective theories reflect
concerns and problems of the 17th c.?
What was absolutism in theory, and how did its actual practice in France reflect
or differ from the theory?
What developments enabled Brandenburg-Prussia, Austria, and Russia to
emerge as major powers in the 17th c.?
What were the main issues in the struggle between king and Parliament in 17th
c. England, and how were they resolved?
How did the artistic and literary achievements of this era reflect the political and
economic developments of the period?
Outline:
I. Social Crises, War, and Rebellions
A. Economy slowed and the population grew
B. Witchcraft hysteria affected many lives in 16th c. - mid 17th c.
C. Thirty years war began in Ger. over religion, but engulfed others for other
reasons
D. Rebellion of Prot. nobles agst. Cath. Ferdinand begins Bohemian phase
E. Danish Phase of TYW with Christian IV of Denmark
F. Swedish Phase of TYW w/ Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden
G. Franco-Swedish phase begins when Richelieu enters the fray
H. Results of TYW were most destructive war of Europe thus far
I. TYW saw innovations in war and tactics
J. Series of rebellions rocked domestic stability of many Eur. govts.
II. The Practice of Absolutism: Western Europe
A. Bousset (1627-1704) argued for absolutism and divine right
B. France under Louis XIV considered prime example of absolutism
C. Cardinal Richelieu’s policy strengthens the monarchy under Louis XIII
D. Cardinal Mazarin is important leader during Louis XIV’s boyhood
E. Louis XIV looks at restructuring govt. bureaucracy
F. Louis XIV has problems with the Huguenots
G. Colbert sets financial policies
H. Versailles set the standard for a Eur. court
I. Louis XIV waged many wars for power and glory - achieving nothing in end
J. Spain began a downward slide
III. Absolutism in Central, Eastern, and Northern Europe
A. Frederick-William, the Great Elector (1640-1688) lays groundwork for great
Brandenburg-Prussian state
B. Austrian empire expands to be loose collection of different states, cultures
C. Austria supplants Spain as dominant force in Italy
D. Russia began to expand power and territory
E. Peter the Great (r. 1689-1725) organized and reformed Russian govt.
F. Sweden breaks from Denmark to form its own state
G. The Ottoman Empire lost territory to Austria
H. Absolutism wasn’t always absolute
IV. Limited Monarchy and Republics
A. Poland’s monarch lost power and country becomes battleground for others
B. Dutch Republic has a golden age based on economic prosperity
C. Amsterdam became wealthiest city in Eur.
D. King James I (r. 1603-25) of Eng espoused absolutism, Par. resisted
E. Conflicts betw. Charles I (r. 1625-49) and Par. lead to civil war
F. Civil War between Puritans and Royalists end in Charles I’s beheading
G. Cromwell rules the Commonwealth
H. Charles II (r. 1660-1685) and the Restoration
I. Rule of James II (r. 1685-88) leads to another constitutional crisis
J. Glorious Revolution of 1688 brings William and Mary to throne
K. Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) sees problems in upheavals of govt.
L. John Locke (1632-1704) argued agst. absolutism
V. The Flourishing of European Culture
A. Mannerism rejected balance and proportion
B. Baroque artists bring Ren. classicism and spirituality together
C. French Classicism rejects emotionalism, but keeps grandeur
D. Dutch realism paralleled economic prosperity
E. Elizabethan age was crowned by Shakespeare’s literature and theater
F. Lope de Vega was the center of Spanish theater
G. French drama derived themes from Greek and Roman sources
H. Moliere was one of the best comic writers of all time
VI. Summary