AP European History - Unit 3: Absolutism and Constitutionalism

Key Themes

• Absolutism

  • Monarchs consolidate power, diminishing the influence of nobility and the church.
  • Examples: Louis XIV of France and Peter the Great of Russia.

• Constitutionalism

  • Power limited by law, shared between monarchs and representative bodies.
  • Examples: England and the Dutch Republic.

Absolutism

Factors Leading to Absolutism

• Weakened influence of the Catholic Church post-Peace of Westphalia.
• Rising merchant classes supported absolute monarchs for stability.

Key Figures

• Louis XIV of France

  • Famous for "l'etat c'est moi" - I am the state.
  • The Fronde rebellion highlighted need for centralized power.
  • Consolidation Methods:
    • Intendant system: bureaucratic agents enforced his policies.
    • Versailles Palace: kept nobility under surveillance and control.
    • Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, merging political and religious power.
    • Military expansion funded through mercantilist policies.

• Peter the Great of Russia

  • Westernized Russia's society, military, and government.
  • Introduced the Table of Ranks, Holy Synod to control the church, cultural reforms (e.g., beard tax).
  • Increased taxes to fund reforms, opposed by nobles and peasantry.

Constitutionalism

England

• English Civil War (1642-1651)
  • Causes: Divine right of kings, economic tensions, religious conflicts.
  • Resulted in temporary abolition of monarchy and establishment of the Protectorate.
  • Restoration and Glorious Revolution:
    • Monarchy restored with Charles II.
    • James II's Catholicism led to William and Mary's ascension, cementing constitutional monarchy.
    • English Bill of Rights established parliamentary supremacy.

The Dutch Republic

• Prosperous trading state, led initially by William of Orange.
• Formed by the Peace of Westphalia in 1648.
• Government as an oligarchy with States-General handling policies.

European Balance of Power

• Partition of Poland: Divided by Russia, Prussia, Austria to maintain balance.
• Battle of Vienna (1683): Stopped Ottoman expansion.
• Wars of Louis XIV: War of Spanish Succession to prevent French-Spanish dominance.

Military Innovations

• Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden: Developed professional standing army with new technology.

Agricultural Revolution

• Innovations like crop rotation increased food supply.
• Introduction of new farming tools like the seed drill, mechanical hoe, and cast iron plow.
• Potato became a staple food due to Columbian Exchange.

Economic Developments

• Labor and trade freed from traditional restrictions.
• Cottage Industry: Precursor to industrialization.
• Rise of insurance, specialty banks, and venture capital.

Mercantilism

• Policies to maintain a favorable balance of trade.
• Establishment of colonies as sources of raw materials and markets.

Global Trade and Slave Trade

• Triangular trade facilitated the low-cost acquisition of goods.
• Increased consumer culture in Europe due to low prices from enslaved labor.

These notes summarize the key points from Unit 3, focusing on the development of Absolutism and Constitutionalism in Europe, major political shifts, and their broader implications on society and economy.