Introduction to Absolutism:

Relevance of the Theme

Absolutism was a system of government that deeply marked the 16th to 19th centuries in Europe, consolidating power in the figure of the monarch. It influenced and shaped all structures of society and, for this reason, is a crucial topic in History. Understanding the foundations, implementation, and consequences of Absolutism is essential for a broader view of the political, social, and economic development of the continent, and serves as a basis for understanding later historical movements, such as the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution.

Contextualization

Absolutism is a central component in the transition from feudalism to capitalism, bringing radical changes to European social and political structures. Through this system, monarchs became centralizers of power, thus ensuring order and stability in their respective countries. The Absolutism lesson follows the study of the Middle Ages and the Modern Age, and precedes the analysis of Modern Revolutions. It sheds light on a crucial period in human history, where arts, science, and exploration flourished, and is essential to understand how modern states emerged and developed.

Theoretical Development: Absolutism

Components of Absolutism

• Divine Power of Kings: The legitimacy of the monarch was based on the belief that he received the right to rule directly from God, making them practically inviolable.

• Absolute Sovereignty: The key principle of Absolutism was the idea of the monarch's absolute sovereignty, which implied total authority over the people and the State.

• Centralization of Power: In Absolutism, power was centralized in the hands of the king. Decision-making occurred without consultation or consent from other social or political instances.

• Mercantilism: An economic system aimed at increasing the wealth of the State through a favorable balance of trade, which was achieved through the close regulation of the economy by the monarch.

• National Armies: National sovereign armies were an innovation of Absolutism, allowing monarchs to protect their power and pursue national interests at the expense of feudal lords.

Key Terms

• Absolute Monarchy: A system of government where the monarch has absolute power, not shared with another branch of power. The king's authority was considered divine and unquestionable.

• Enlightened Despotism: A form of absolute monarchy that emerged in the late 18th century, where monarchs sought to implement Enlightenment reforms, aiming to modernize and strengthen the State.

• Divine Right Theory of Kings: A political theory that affirmed that the monarch's power was granted by God and, therefore, unquestionable.

Examples and Cases

• Louis XIV (The Sun King): French monarch who personified Absolutism. His phrase "L'État, c'est moi" (The State is me) encapsulates the spirit of Absolutism.

• Siege of La Rochelle: One of the episodes that illustrates the power of the monarch in an absolutist State. Louis XIII besieged the city for a year, demonstrating the power of the national army over feudal lords.

• Colonial Commodities: The search for raw materials and the establishment of colonies were part of the mercantilist economic policy of Absolutism.

• English Religious Reform: Henry VIII's break with the Catholic Church and the creation of the Anglican Church demonstrate the unlimited power of monarchs in Absolutism.

Detailed Summary: Absolutism

Key Points:

• Absolutism and the Divine Right of Kings: The belief that the power of kings was divinely granted prevailed in Absolutism. This implied breaking the old feudal order, in which power was shared with the nobility.

• Absolute Sovereignty: The essence of Absolutism lies in the concept of absolute sovereignty. Monarchs had total authority and power over the State.

• Centralization of Power: In no other period of European history was centralized power so pronounced. Decisions and policies arose solely from the monarch, without the need for consultation with the nobility or clergy.

• Mercantilism and National Armies: Mercantilism and the establishment of national armies were fundamental elements for sustaining and expanding monarchical power. The monarch controlled the economy and used the army to defend his interests and the State.

• Enlightened Despotism: Absolutism, in its final phase, inaugurated the period of Enlightened Despotism. Monarchs began to adopt Enlightenment ideas, seeking to modernize and strengthen the State.

Conclusions:

• Through Absolutism, European monarchs were able to profoundly restructure political power, controlling all spheres of society and the State.

• The concept of absolute sovereignty introduced a new paradigm in European politics, moving away from the principles of feudalism.

• The implementation of mercantilism and national armies, in addition to strengthening monarchical power, contributed to the consolidation of capitalism as an economic system.

• Enlightened Despotism demonstrates that, despite its excesses, Absolutism was a period of intense changes and adaptations, which paved the way for the revolutionary movements that would follow.

Exercises:

1. Define Absolutism and its main characteristics.
2. Explain the role of mercantilism and national armies in the consolidation and expansion of monarchical power during Absolutism.
3. Explain what Enlightened Despotism was. What were the main ideas of these monarchs and what was the significance of this movement in the context of Absolutism?.