Absolutism in France and Spain During the Early 17th Century, Essay Example

France and Spain were both the first to use absolute power under royal rule. French rule under Louis XIV became the model state in which absolutism was established (Levack et al., 2011, p. 495). Absolute rule came about in response to the religious wars and the assassination of Henry IV. His successors took this opportunity to establish absolute rule in the throne because at this time Louis XIII was still a child and the aristocracy took advantage of this as a means to claim power (Levack et al., 2011, p. 496). During this time under Louis XIII and after Louis XIV took control, rebellions were suppressed, regional supreme court’s independence was restricted, professional bureaucrats supervised administrations and taxes were increased on those who held offices (Levack et al., 2011, pp. 496-497). All of this specifically lead to centralized power within the crown. Subsequent rebellions were defeated, and the crown continued to retain control and absolute power (Levack et al., 2011, pp. 497-499). Under the rule of Louis XIV, France saw successes in the control of the crown. Louis XIV established and gave patronage to cultural institutions, such as the Royal Academy of Sciences (Levack et al., 2011, pp. 497-499). He also established uniformity among the government. (Levack et al., 2011, pp. 497-499). Other royal courts would seek to copy his principles of rule during the 18^th Century (Levack et al., 2011, p. 501).

Among those that attempted to copy absolute power within the crown was Spain. During the 17^th Century, Spain had endured a series of military defeats and economic failure, and the Count-Duke of Olivares sought to integrate and centralize the state in an effort to revitalize (Levack et al., 2011, pp. 501-505). This lead to tax reformation and mandatory military involvement for national defense (Levack et al., 2011, pp. 501-505). Ultimately, these efforts spawned separatist opposition, and along with military defeat, this lead Spain to fail in its attempt to form an absolutist state (Levack et al., 2011, pp. 501-505).

References

Levack, B., Muir, E., & Veldman, M. (2011). Chapter 16: Absolutism and State Building in Europe, 1618-1715 In The West: Encounters & Transformations, vol I (Rev: 3). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Longman.