⚔️Early Modern Europe – 1450 to 1750 Unit 7 – Absolutism vs. Constitutionalism

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Absolutism: a system of government in which the monarch holds supreme authority and power, unrestrained by laws or other institutions
• Divine right of kings: the belief that monarchs derive their authority directly from God and are accountable only to God, not to their subjects or any earthly authority
• Constitutionalism: a system of government in which the power of the monarch or government is limited by a constitution and the rule of law
• Separation of powers: the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches (executive, legislative, and judicial) to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful
• Checks and balances: a system in which each branch of government has the power to limit or check the actions of the other branches, ensuring a balance of power
• Parliamentary sovereignty: the concept that the legislative body (parliament) has supreme authority and is not subject to the monarch's control
• Social contract: the idea that the legitimacy of a government is based on the consent of the governed, who agree to surrender some freedoms in exchange for protection of their rights

Historical Context and Background

• The early modern period (1450-1750) was characterized by significant political, social, and economic changes in Europe
• The Renaissance and the Age of Exploration led to new ideas, technologies, and trade routes, challenging traditional power structures
• The Protestant Reformation challenged the authority of the Catholic Church and led to religious conflicts and wars (Thirty Years' War)
• The decline of feudalism and the rise of centralized nation-states created new political dynamics and power struggles
• The Enlightenment introduced new philosophical and political ideas, emphasizing reason, individual rights, and the social contract
  • Thinkers such as John Locke and Montesquieu influenced the development of constitutionalism and the separation of powers
• The English Civil War (1642-1651) and the Glorious Revolution (1688) marked important milestones in the development of constitutionalism in England

Rise of Absolutism

• Absolutism emerged as a response to the challenges of the early modern period, with monarchs seeking to consolidate power and maintain stability
• The French monarchy, particularly under Louis XIV (the "Sun King"), became the model for absolutist rule in Europe
  • Louis XIV centralized power, reduced the influence of the nobility, and proclaimed "L'état, c'est moi" ("I am the state")
• Absolutist monarchs justified their rule through the divine right of kings, claiming that their authority came directly from God
• Absolutist rulers often sought to control all aspects of society, including religion, culture, and the economy
• The Palace of Versailles, built by Louis XIV, served as a symbol of absolutist power and grandeur
• Other notable absolutist rulers include Philip II of Spain, Frederick William of Prussia, and Peter the Great of Russia

Development of Constitutionalism

• Constitutionalism developed as a response to the excesses of absolutism, seeking to limit the power of the monarch and protect individual rights
• The Magna Carta (1215) in England established the principle that the monarch was not above the law and must respect the rights of subjects
• The English Bill of Rights (1689) further limited the power of the monarch and established the supremacy of Parliament
  • This document ensured regular parliaments, free elections, and the right to petition the monarch without fear of retribution
• Montesquieu's theory of the separation of powers, outlined in "The Spirit of the Laws" (1748), became a cornerstone of constitutional thought
• The American Revolution (1765-1783) and the U.S. Constitution (1787) represented a significant advancement in constitutionalism, with a written constitution and a federal system of government
• The French Revolution (1789-1799) initially sought to establish a constitutional monarchy but ultimately led to the creation of the First French Republic

Major Figures and Their Contributions

• Louis XIV of France (1638-1715): the quintessential absolutist monarch, centralized power and made France the dominant force in Europe
• James I of England (1566-1625): a strong proponent of the divine right of kings, clashed with Parliament over issues of royal authority
• Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658): led the Parliamentarian forces during the English Civil War and served as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England
• John Locke (1632-1704): an English philosopher whose ideas on natural rights, the social contract, and the right to revolution influenced the development of constitutionalism
• Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755): a French philosopher who developed the theory of the separation of powers, a key principle of constitutionalism
• Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826): the primary author of the U.S. Declaration of Independence and a key figure in the American Revolution and the establishment of the United States as a constitutional republic

Comparative Analysis: Absolutism vs. Constitutionalism

• Absolutism and constitutionalism represented two distinct approaches to governance in early modern Europe
• Absolutism emphasized the concentration of power in the hands of the monarch, while constitutionalism sought to limit and distribute power
• Absolutist rulers claimed divine right as the source of their authority, while constitutional systems derived legitimacy from the consent of the governed and the rule of law
• Absolutist states often had centralized bureaucracies and standing armies to enforce the monarch's will, while constitutional states relied on representative institutions and checks and balances
• Absolutism prioritized order and stability, while constitutionalism placed greater emphasis on individual rights and freedoms
• The success of absolutism and constitutionalism varied across Europe, with some states (France, Spain) embracing absolutism and others (England, Dutch Republic) developing constitutional systems

Impact on Society and Governance

• Absolutism and constitutionalism had significant impacts on the social, political, and economic structures of early modern Europe
• Absolutist states often experienced greater political stability and centralization, but at the cost of individual freedoms and representative government
  • This centralization allowed for more efficient tax collection, infrastructure development, and military organization
• Constitutional states saw the growth of parliamentary institutions, the rule of law, and the protection of individual rights
  • This laid the foundation for the development of modern democratic systems and the concept of limited government
• The tension between absolutism and constitutionalism contributed to political and social upheavals, such as the English Civil War and the French Revolution
• The economic policies of absolutist and constitutional states differed, with absolutist states often pursuing mercantilism and state-directed economic development, while constitutional states tended to favor free trade and private enterprise

Legacy and Influence on Modern Politics

• The ideas and institutions developed during the struggle between absolutism and constitutionalism have had a lasting impact on modern political systems
• The principles of constitutionalism, such as the separation of powers, checks and balances, and the protection of individual rights, are now enshrined in many modern constitutions
• The legacy of absolutism can be seen in the persistence of authoritarian and totalitarian regimes, which concentrate power in the hands of a single leader or party
• The American and French Revolutions, which were influenced by constitutional ideas, served as models for subsequent democratic revolutions and the spread of republican government
• The tension between the power of the state and the rights of the individual, a central theme in the absolutism vs. constitutionalism debate, remains a key issue in contemporary politics
• The development of international law and human rights norms can be traced back to the ideas of natural rights and the social contract that emerged during the early modern period