APEURO: Unit 3, Absolutism and Constitutionalism - The Rise of Absolute Monarchy, Louis XIV, Versailles, Mercantilism

Why This Matters

The rise of absolute monarchy in 17th and 18th century Europe, exemplified by Louis XIV's reign and the construction of Versailles, is significant for understanding the larger period of the Enlightenment and the development of modern nation-states. This phenomenon is connected to the AP theme of Politics and Power, as it highlights the tension between absolute authority and the emerging ideas of individual rights and limited government. The rise of absolute monarchy also laid the groundwork for the French Revolution and the eventual decline of monarchies in Europe.

Key Events & People

• Louis XIV (1638-1715): King of France from 1643 to 1715, who centralized power and established the concept of absolute monarchy.
• Versailles (1661-1710): Palace built by Louis XIV, symbolizing the excesses and extravagance of absolute monarchy.
• Mercantilism (16th-18th centuries): Economic policy that emphasized state control over trade and industry, often used by absolute monarchs to strengthen their power.
• Jean-Baptiste Colbert (1619-1683): French minister who implemented mercantilist policies and promoted the growth of industry and trade.
• Cardinal Richelieu (1585-1642): French chief minister who established the concept of the "state within a state" and centralized power in the hands of the monarch.
• The Edict of Nantes (1598): French royal decree that granted limited toleration to Huguenots (French Protestants), but was later revoked by Louis XIV.
• The Fronde (1648-1653): French civil war that challenged the authority of Louis XIV and ultimately led to his consolidation of power.
• The Treaty of Westphalia (1648): Peace treaty that ended the Thirty Years' War and recognized the sovereignty of European states, contributing to the rise of absolute monarchy.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The decline of feudalism and the rise of a strong centralized state in 16th and 17th century Europe.
• Effect: The emergence of absolute monarchy, as monarchs sought to consolidate power and control over their territories.
• Long-term consequence: The eventual decline of absolute monarchy and the rise of constitutional monarchies and republics in Europe.

Essential Vocabulary

• Absolutism: The doctrine that a monarch has complete and unlimited authority over their subjects. Example: Louis XIV's statement, "L'etat, c'est moi" ("I am the state").
• Mercantilism: An economic policy that emphasizes state control over trade and industry. Example: Colbert's promotion of French textiles and shipbuilding.
• Centralization: The concentration of power and authority in a single location or institution. Example: The establishment of a strong centralized state in France under Louis XIV.
• Feudalism: A social and economic system in which lords granted land to vassals in exchange for military service and loyalty. Example: The decline of feudalism and the rise of a strong centralized state in 16th and 17th century Europe.
• Sovereignty: The supreme authority and power of a state or monarch. Example: The recognition of French sovereignty at the Treaty of Westphalia.
• Toleration: The acceptance of minority groups or beliefs within a society. Example: The Edict of Nantes and its later revocation by Louis XIV.
• Fronde: A French civil war that challenged the authority of Louis XIV. Example: The Fronde's impact on the consolidation of Louis XIV's power.
• Enlightenment: A philosophical and intellectual movement that emphasized reason, individualism, and the scientific method. Example: The influence of Enlightenment ideas on the French Revolution.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: Confusing the Edict of Nantes with the Treaty of Westphalia.
• Correction: The Edict of Nantes was a French royal decree that granted limited toleration to Huguenots, while the Treaty of Westphalia was a peace treaty that ended the Thirty Years' War and recognized the sovereignty of European states.
• What students often get wrong: Believing that Louis XIV was the first absolute monarch in Europe.
• Correction: Louis XIV was not the first absolute monarch, but he was one of the most influential and successful, and his reign marked the peak of absolute monarchy in Europe.
• What students often get wrong: Thinking that mercantilism was a new economic policy in the 17th and 18th centuries.
• Correction: Mercantilism was an economic policy that emerged in the 16th century and continued to influence economic thought and policy in the 17th and 18th centuries.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Document-based question: Analyze the impact of the rise of absolute monarchy on the development of modern nation-states in Europe. Be sure to include specific examples from the reign of Louis XIV and the construction of Versailles.
  • Evidence: The Edict of Nantes, the Fronde, the Treaty of Westphalia, and Louis XIV's statement, "L'etat, c'est moi."
• Long essay question: Discuss the causes and consequences of the rise of absolute monarchy in 17th and 18th century Europe. Be sure to include specific examples from the reign of Louis XIV and the construction of Versailles.
  • Evidence: The decline of feudalism, the emergence of a strong centralized state, the influence of Enlightenment ideas, and the impact of mercantilism on the economy.

Quick Self-Check

1. What was the name of the French palace built by Louis XIV? a) Versailles b) Fontainebleau c) Chambord Answer: a) Versailles Explanation: Versailles was the palace built by Louis XIV, symbolizing the excesses and extravagance of absolute monarchy.
2. What was the name of the economic policy that emphasized state control over trade and industry? a) Mercantilism b) Capitalism c) Socialism Answer: a) Mercantilism Explanation: Mercantilism was an economic policy that emphasized state control over trade and industry, often used by absolute monarchs to strengthen their power.
3. What was the name of the French civil war that challenged the authority of Louis XIV? a) The Fronde b) The Thirty Years' War c) The Hundred Years' War Answer: a) The Fronde Explanation: The Fronde was a French civil war that challenged the authority of Louis XIV and ultimately led to his consolidation of power.

Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• The "Gilded Age" was named by Mark Twain – it means glittering on the outside, corrupt inside.
• Louis XIV's statement, "L'etat, c'est moi," means "I am the state."
• The Edict of Nantes was a French royal decree that granted limited toleration to Huguenots.
• The Treaty of Westphalia recognized the sovereignty of European states and ended the Thirty Years' War.
• Mercantilism was an economic policy that emphasized state control over trade and industry.
• The Fronde was a French civil war that challenged the authority of Louis XIV.
• The Palace of Versailles was built by Louis XIV and symbolized the excesses and extravagance of absolute monarchy.
• Jean-Baptiste Colbert was a French minister who implemented mercantilist policies and promoted the growth of industry and trade.
• The Thirty Years' War was a devastating conflict that ravaged Europe and contributed to the rise of absolute monarchy.
• The Enlightenment was a philosophical and intellectual movement that emphasized reason, individualism, and the scientific method.