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Section 4.17

Section 4.17. The Grand Monarque and the Balance of Power. Questions to Consider. What observation may be made about the significance of western Europe in the development of modern civilization since about 1650?

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Section 4.17

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  1. Section 4.17 The Grand Monarque and the Balance of Power

  2. Questions to Consider • What observation may be made about the significance of western Europe in the development of modern civilization since about 1650? • What general statements may be made about the nature of Louis’ XIV rule in France and about the role of France in European affairs during his reign? • Why did Louis (14)’s foreign policy arouse the opposition of the rest of Europe? • Explain the nature of the balance of power that was employed against Louis. Of what broad significance has the balance of power concept been in diplomatic history?

  3. Europe, 1648

  4. Introduction • Western World 1650 • Encompassed in 500 mile area • centered on Paris • What makes it Western? • secular • modern natural science • capitalism • modern state • parliamentary government • democratic ideas • machine industry • earth’s principal center of cultural diffusion

  5. Why was it centered in Dutch, English, and French territories? • Italian Renaissance fading out • Religious wars end in 1648 • HRE in ruins • Spain in decline • Commercial Revolution generating wealthy, educated class

  6. Why did France rise in status? • Dutch= small population • England= Civil Wars (1630-1689) • Charles I • James I • James II • Oliver Cromwell • Restoration • Glorious Revolution • France • Large population (19 Million) • Resources • Succession of good rulers • Henry IV • (Louis XIII) Richelieu • Louis XIV

  7. The Sun King • Long ‘stable’ reign • Comes to power in 1643 at age 5 • reigns for 72 years (1715) • took personal direction in 1661 at age 23 • Sun King • Grand Monarque • More than a figurehead • takes over the institutions created by Richelieu

  8. The Absolutist Paradigm • Policies, methods of government, war, diplomacy become models for others to follow • French language, clothing, thought, architecture, cooking etiquette are standard for Europe • Makes France the strongest country in Europe

  9. Why is Spain declining so rapidly? • Charles II comes to the throne in 1665 • Weak leadership!!!!! • “The Bewitched” • Mandibular prognathism (Hapsburg Jaw) • genetic disorder where the lower jaw outgrows the upper • tongue was enlarged and he could barley be understood

  10. Why is Spain declining so rapidly? • Acromegaly- pituitary gland disorder • Causes excessive growth in hands, feet, jaw, … • Imbecilic product of generations of inbreeding • Infertility (well-known) • On the throne until 1700 • Spain • What Turkey was later called “sick man of Europe” • Fate of Spain and its colonial holdings is uncertain

  11. Louis XIV and expansion • Marries Charles II’s sister • uses his position to advance France’s borders • Annex Spanish Netherlands, Franche Comte`, and Burgundy • Further weakens HRE

  12. Louis XIV and expansion • Moves to secure Spain under his rule • to achieve this he takes various interests into his pay • royalists in England • including Charles II of England • republicans in Netherlands • Potential for universal monarchy under throne of France is increasing • Response to universal monarchy is the use of balance of power

  13. Balance of Power • condition of equilibrium in power distribution • power is distributed among many separate states • if one state grows too powerful, the others form a coalition against it • the coalition becomes the “balance” • holding the balance of power refers to the power one state may bring to bear by • foreign policy become the pursuit of tipping the balance preserving the independence of action to the utmost

  14. Balance of Power • the basic rule was to form alliances against any state threatening domination and to maintain the balance • objective was preserving sovereignty rather than peace • had little to do with ideologies or sympathies (allies supported or rejected) • balance model was effective during period of large number of small and medium sized states • later will become downfall of Europe (WWI) • Key players of the period are Louis XIV and William of Orange (William III) of the Dutch • Key event of the period is the War of the Spanish Succession

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