Between 1648 and 1815, the sovereign state was consolidated as the principal form of political organization across Europe. Justified and rationalized by theories of political sovereignty, states adopted a variety of methods to acquire the human, fiscal, and material resources essential for the promotion of their interests. Although challenged and sometimes effectively resisted by various social groups and institutions, the typical state of the period, best exemplified by the rule of Louis XIV in France, asserted claims to absolute authority within its borders. A few states, most notably England and the Dutch Republic, gradually developed governments in which the authority of the executive was restricted by legislative bodies protecting the interests of the landowning and commercial classes.
Between the Peace of Westphalia (1648) and the Congress of Vienna (1815), European states managed their external affairs within a balance of power system. In this system, diplomacy became a major component of the relations among states. Most of the wars of the period, including conflicts fought outside of Europe, stemmed from attempts either to preserve or disturb the balance of power among European states. While European monarchs continued to view their affairs in dynastic terms, increasingly, reasons of state influenced policy.
Between the Peace of Westphalia (1648) and the Congress of Vienna (1815), European states managed their external affairs within a balance of power system. In this system, diplomacy became a major component of the relations among states. Most of the wars of the period, including conflicts fought outside of Europe, stemmed from attempts either to preserve or disturb the balance of power among European states. While European monarchs continued to view their affairs in dynastic terms, increasingly, reasons of state influenced policy.
Key Concept: 1.5:
Key Concept: 2.1:
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Reading Schedule:
Seventeenth-Century Crisis and Rebuilding (Pgs. 466 - 471) Absolutism in France and Spain (Pgs. 471 - 481) Absolutism in Austria and Prussia (Pgs. 481 - 484) The Development of Russia and the Ottoman Empire (Pgs. 484 - 492) Alternatives to Absolutism in England and the Dutch Republic (Pgs. 492 - 501) |
Assignments
The Thirty Years War began as a rebellion in Bohemia led by Protestant nobles. The war ended as a political proxy war between France and the Habsburg dynasty. What caused the change in politics during the war?
Like the pharaohs of ancient Egypt and in the tradition of his medieval ancestors, Louis XIV governed France as the direct representative of God on earth. Neither the Church, nor the nobility, nor the will of his subjects limited his power. But how unlimited was the power of a monarch living in the 17th-century?
The Habsburgs were a remarkable dynasty. From minor noble origins, they rose to become the pre-eminent ruling house of Christendom. The rise of Prussia to the status of a great power was primarily the work of Frederic the Great. Building on the work of his father Frederick William I, he established the most feared army in Europe. How did these countries forged absolute monarchies in Eastern Europe?
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As the centralized powers on the continent moved towards absolutism, England began the process of creating a constitutional monarchy. In this case study you will analyze how England moved in this direction.
With the removal of the king in England a new question emerged as to who could rightfully rule the country. Although Cromwell would come to rule, not all of the country would agree with the new government.
The Glorious Revolution brought an end to Stuart rule by divine right. However, we must analyze exactly what changed as a result of the revolution.
As a response to the changes brought by religious reformation and new political realities, Baroque artist created a new expression for the values of the society in which they lived.
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