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3.1 Context of State Building from 1648-1815

4 min readjanuary 11, 2023

I

Isabela Padilha Vilela

Catherine Brown

Catherine Brown

I

Isabela Padilha Vilela

Catherine Brown

Catherine Brown

Contextual Causes

Now when we discuss the idea of state-building, it’s important to understand that the cause for this sudden change would be this surge for , thus furthering the rise of such as , and .  Contextually speaking, Absolutism emerged at a dicey point in European History. of the 16th and 17th Centuries had consolidated their power through various means.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2Fdownload%20(2).jpg?alt=media&token=2defe48d-0193-4c9d-af45-411e5e389336

Louis XIV, Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

Most Importantly, many of these leaders wouldn't have come into sovereign power if it weren't for , who came up with the . This document asserted that the ruler should have political and religious authority above anything else.

1648 also marked the ending of The Thirty Years’ War, which had thrown Europe into a political and religious frenzy. It leads to general uncertainty during peacetime. Much of the chaos brought larger military power in the hands of rulers, which ups their prestige and renown. 

The different levels of sovereignty

During this time period, it is important to recognize that states were struggling to maintain power inside and outside its borders. Since the Renaissance, the began to lose its political power, opening way for other political institutions to emerge and the contestation of power of certain institutions. This completely changed the political landscape and posed a sovereignty threat to European Nations.

Different European nations distributed authority differently depending on its internal conflicts as well. Different language minority groups contested the sovereignty of certain governments, for example:

  • Celtic regions of Scotland, Ireland and France speak the , and had a rich culture that involved traditions, music, food that differed from the dominant one.

  • The in the region of the low countries happened when the Dutch minority ruled by the decided to figh for independence. It ended up in the formation of teh (what is today the Netherlands, Belgium adn Luxembourg).

  • The was an important moment for the Czech people. They had been ruled by the for most of the Middle Ages. This event led to the beginning of the Thirty Year's War, and symbolized Czech resistance, as two Imperial governors were thrown out the window of the Bohemian Chancellery.

    • Jan Hus was an important symbol of this movement, as he was a theologist that was vocal in his opposition to the Church and defended the Czech minority. He was considered and heretic and was burned at the stake in 1415.

Rise of Absolutism and Challenges to Order

Absolutism is defined as a consolidation of sovereign power into a single ruler or monarch. Rulers would create these empires took control of every facet of the state. 

There are two figures who were really influential when causing this . One of them was , a writer during the English Civil War, known for his work titled . In this work, he argued that humanity’s original state before governance leads to utter chaos and destruction. By instituting a ruler to oversee the populace, a sense of security and protection emerges. 

As mentioned before, the second figure who emerged as a focal point in Absolutism was , who’s known for his theory of the (as stated before, believes that the ruler has control over every facet of political and religious life). The King’s Authority trumped anyone below him, and could only answer to God. 

A common theme within the would be the challenges that arose when these monarchs desired power. Common issues emerged regarding religion, and conflict with the nobility for power remained a common issue for absolute monarchs. 

In terms of religion, the had considerable wealth and power, which would clash with the power and influence of the absolute Monarch. With the rise of monarchs, the king’s overreaching grasp on every asset of the state threatens the church. An interesting example would be through (which will be discussed later in this unit).

Nobility also was seen as a major threat towards the Absolute Monarchs’s rule. Nobility controls a major sector of a European states’ power and distributes them towards other figures. With the monarch taking all the power, it leaves the nobility in a threatened position, fighting for prestige and power in order to keep their family names prevalent.

🎥 Watch: AP European History - Age of Absolutism

Key Terms to Review (20)

Absolutist Rulers

: Absolutist rulers are those who hold absolute power over their nations - they control all aspects of government without checks or balances from other branches or bodies.

Catholic Church

: The Catholic Church is a Christian denomination led by the Pope, based in Vatican City. It has played a significant role throughout European history, influencing politics, culture, and society.

Celtic Regions of Scotland, Ireland and France

: These are regions in Europe where the Celtic culture and languages have been historically dominant or still hold a significant presence. They include parts of Scotland, Ireland, and Brittany in France.

Defenestration of Prague

: The Defenestration of Prague was an event in 1618 when two Catholic officials were thrown out a window by Protestant nobles, sparking the Thirty Years' War.

Divine Right of Kings

: The Divine Right of Kings is a political and religious doctrine that asserts the monarchy derives its authority directly from God, not from the people or any earthly authority. This means that only God can judge a king's actions.

Dutch Republic

: The Dutch Republic refers to an independent nation that existed from 1581 to 1795 in what is now known as Netherlands. It became one of Europe's leading states due to its advanced economy and emphasis on trade.

Dutch Revolt

: The Dutch Revolt (1568–1648) was the successful revolt in the Low Countries against the rule of the Habsburg King Philip II of Spain that led to the formation of an independent Dutch Republic.

Gaelic Language

: Gaelic refers to a group of languages within the Celtic language family including Irish Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic, and Manx spoken primarily in Ireland, Scotland, and Isle of Man respectively.

Hapsburg Dynasty of Spain

: The Hapsburg Dynasty of Spain was a royal family that ruled over various territories in Europe, including Spain, from the 16th to the 18th century. They were known for their political marriages and alliances.

Holy Roman Empire

: The Holy Roman Empire was a multi-ethnic complex of territories in Western, Central and Southern Europe that developed during the Early Middle Ages and continued until its dissolution in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars.

Jacques Bousset

: Jacques Bousset was a French bishop and theologian, one of the most learned men of his time. He is best known for his theory of political absolutism, which held that kings are sovereign by divine right.

Jan Hus

: Jan Hus was a Czech theologian and religious reformer in the 15th century. He criticized the corruption within the Catholic Church and advocated for moral reform and religious simplification.

King Louis XIV

: King Louis XIV was known as 'The Sun King' and ruled France from 1643-1715. He is famous for his autocratic rule and for building Versailles Palace.

Leviathan

: "Leviathan" is a book written by Thomas Hobbes published in 1651. It argues for a social contract and rule by an absolute sovereign. The title comes from the biblical sea monster used as a metaphor for the state's vast and frightening power.

Monarchical Sovereignty

: Monarchical sovereignty refers to the supreme authority or power of a monarch within their kingdom. This means that the monarch has the ultimate say in all matters of governance, law, and policy.

New Monarchs

: New Monarchs were European rulers who unified their respective nations, creating stable and centralized governments during late 15th century. They reduced the power of nobility and often secured their power through taxation, military force or by gaining control over the church.

Peter The Great

: Peter the Great was a Russian czar in the late 17th century who is best known for his extensive reforms in an attempt to establish Russia as a great nation. He modernized the Russian army, expanded territory, and established St. Petersburg.

Rise of Absolutism

: The rise of absolutism refers to a period in European history when nations were governed by absolute monarchies. These rulers had complete power over their countries, with no legal limitations on their authority.

The Thirty Years’ War

: The Thirty Years' War was a series of wars fought primarily in Central Europe between 1618 and 1648. It started as a conflict between Protestant and Catholic states but eventually involved most European powers.

Thomas Hobbes

: Thomas Hobbes was a 17th-century English philosopher who is best known for his work on political philosophy. His 1651 book "Leviathan" established the foundation for most of Western political philosophy from the perspective of social contract theory.

3.1 Context of State Building from 1648-1815

4 min readjanuary 11, 2023

I

Isabela Padilha Vilela

Catherine Brown

Catherine Brown

I

Isabela Padilha Vilela

Catherine Brown

Catherine Brown

Contextual Causes

Now when we discuss the idea of state-building, it’s important to understand that the cause for this sudden change would be this surge for , thus furthering the rise of such as , and .  Contextually speaking, Absolutism emerged at a dicey point in European History. of the 16th and 17th Centuries had consolidated their power through various means.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2Fdownload%20(2).jpg?alt=media&token=2defe48d-0193-4c9d-af45-411e5e389336

Louis XIV, Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

Most Importantly, many of these leaders wouldn't have come into sovereign power if it weren't for , who came up with the . This document asserted that the ruler should have political and religious authority above anything else.

1648 also marked the ending of The Thirty Years’ War, which had thrown Europe into a political and religious frenzy. It leads to general uncertainty during peacetime. Much of the chaos brought larger military power in the hands of rulers, which ups their prestige and renown. 

The different levels of sovereignty

During this time period, it is important to recognize that states were struggling to maintain power inside and outside its borders. Since the Renaissance, the began to lose its political power, opening way for other political institutions to emerge and the contestation of power of certain institutions. This completely changed the political landscape and posed a sovereignty threat to European Nations.

Different European nations distributed authority differently depending on its internal conflicts as well. Different language minority groups contested the sovereignty of certain governments, for example:

  • Celtic regions of Scotland, Ireland and France speak the , and had a rich culture that involved traditions, music, food that differed from the dominant one.

  • The in the region of the low countries happened when the Dutch minority ruled by the decided to figh for independence. It ended up in the formation of teh (what is today the Netherlands, Belgium adn Luxembourg).

  • The was an important moment for the Czech people. They had been ruled by the for most of the Middle Ages. This event led to the beginning of the Thirty Year's War, and symbolized Czech resistance, as two Imperial governors were thrown out the window of the Bohemian Chancellery.

    • Jan Hus was an important symbol of this movement, as he was a theologist that was vocal in his opposition to the Church and defended the Czech minority. He was considered and heretic and was burned at the stake in 1415.

Rise of Absolutism and Challenges to Order

Absolutism is defined as a consolidation of sovereign power into a single ruler or monarch. Rulers would create these empires took control of every facet of the state. 

There are two figures who were really influential when causing this . One of them was , a writer during the English Civil War, known for his work titled . In this work, he argued that humanity’s original state before governance leads to utter chaos and destruction. By instituting a ruler to oversee the populace, a sense of security and protection emerges. 

As mentioned before, the second figure who emerged as a focal point in Absolutism was , who’s known for his theory of the (as stated before, believes that the ruler has control over every facet of political and religious life). The King’s Authority trumped anyone below him, and could only answer to God. 

A common theme within the would be the challenges that arose when these monarchs desired power. Common issues emerged regarding religion, and conflict with the nobility for power remained a common issue for absolute monarchs. 

In terms of religion, the had considerable wealth and power, which would clash with the power and influence of the absolute Monarch. With the rise of monarchs, the king’s overreaching grasp on every asset of the state threatens the church. An interesting example would be through (which will be discussed later in this unit).

Nobility also was seen as a major threat towards the Absolute Monarchs’s rule. Nobility controls a major sector of a European states’ power and distributes them towards other figures. With the monarch taking all the power, it leaves the nobility in a threatened position, fighting for prestige and power in order to keep their family names prevalent.

🎥 Watch: AP European History - Age of Absolutism

Key Terms to Review (20)

Absolutist Rulers

: Absolutist rulers are those who hold absolute power over their nations - they control all aspects of government without checks or balances from other branches or bodies.

Catholic Church

: The Catholic Church is a Christian denomination led by the Pope, based in Vatican City. It has played a significant role throughout European history, influencing politics, culture, and society.

Celtic Regions of Scotland, Ireland and France

: These are regions in Europe where the Celtic culture and languages have been historically dominant or still hold a significant presence. They include parts of Scotland, Ireland, and Brittany in France.

Defenestration of Prague

: The Defenestration of Prague was an event in 1618 when two Catholic officials were thrown out a window by Protestant nobles, sparking the Thirty Years' War.

Divine Right of Kings

: The Divine Right of Kings is a political and religious doctrine that asserts the monarchy derives its authority directly from God, not from the people or any earthly authority. This means that only God can judge a king's actions.

Dutch Republic

: The Dutch Republic refers to an independent nation that existed from 1581 to 1795 in what is now known as Netherlands. It became one of Europe's leading states due to its advanced economy and emphasis on trade.

Dutch Revolt

: The Dutch Revolt (1568–1648) was the successful revolt in the Low Countries against the rule of the Habsburg King Philip II of Spain that led to the formation of an independent Dutch Republic.

Gaelic Language

: Gaelic refers to a group of languages within the Celtic language family including Irish Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic, and Manx spoken primarily in Ireland, Scotland, and Isle of Man respectively.

Hapsburg Dynasty of Spain

: The Hapsburg Dynasty of Spain was a royal family that ruled over various territories in Europe, including Spain, from the 16th to the 18th century. They were known for their political marriages and alliances.

Holy Roman Empire

: The Holy Roman Empire was a multi-ethnic complex of territories in Western, Central and Southern Europe that developed during the Early Middle Ages and continued until its dissolution in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars.

Jacques Bousset

: Jacques Bousset was a French bishop and theologian, one of the most learned men of his time. He is best known for his theory of political absolutism, which held that kings are sovereign by divine right.

Jan Hus

: Jan Hus was a Czech theologian and religious reformer in the 15th century. He criticized the corruption within the Catholic Church and advocated for moral reform and religious simplification.

King Louis XIV

: King Louis XIV was known as 'The Sun King' and ruled France from 1643-1715. He is famous for his autocratic rule and for building Versailles Palace.

Leviathan

: "Leviathan" is a book written by Thomas Hobbes published in 1651. It argues for a social contract and rule by an absolute sovereign. The title comes from the biblical sea monster used as a metaphor for the state's vast and frightening power.

Monarchical Sovereignty

: Monarchical sovereignty refers to the supreme authority or power of a monarch within their kingdom. This means that the monarch has the ultimate say in all matters of governance, law, and policy.

New Monarchs

: New Monarchs were European rulers who unified their respective nations, creating stable and centralized governments during late 15th century. They reduced the power of nobility and often secured their power through taxation, military force or by gaining control over the church.

Peter The Great

: Peter the Great was a Russian czar in the late 17th century who is best known for his extensive reforms in an attempt to establish Russia as a great nation. He modernized the Russian army, expanded territory, and established St. Petersburg.

Rise of Absolutism

: The rise of absolutism refers to a period in European history when nations were governed by absolute monarchies. These rulers had complete power over their countries, with no legal limitations on their authority.

The Thirty Years’ War

: The Thirty Years' War was a series of wars fought primarily in Central Europe between 1618 and 1648. It started as a conflict between Protestant and Catholic states but eventually involved most European powers.

Thomas Hobbes

: Thomas Hobbes was a 17th-century English philosopher who is best known for his work on political philosophy. His 1651 book "Leviathan" established the foundation for most of Western political philosophy from the perspective of social contract theory.


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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.