THE AGE OF ABSOLUTISM
Absolutism Defined
- claimed to rule by divine right. Biggest challenge for monarchs was the nobility. Monarchs created standing armies. Louis XIV of France exemplified the absolutist belief that the monarchy personifies the state.
Foundations of Absolutism
- Louis XIV did not create absolutism, he inherited it. Cardinal Richelieu reflected increasing secularization… loyal to French state… laid the basis for French absolutism. To centralize power, he alienated the nobility.
- When Louis XIII & Richelieu died, Jules Mazarin and the child king Louis XIV took over.
- Mazarin tried to raise taxes to stabilize economy, revolt from French people… the time known as the Fronde left an imprint on the young king as he was often mistreated during this time. Made him think that absolutism was critical to maintain peace and stability.

SCIENTIFIC METHOD & THE BIRTH OF MODERN PHILOSOPHY
Scientific Method: For centuries it was believed that “truths” were from studying the Bible… led to a new period of systematic skepticism, experimentation, and reasoning based on observation.
Francis Bacon- stressed the importance of direct observation in ascertaining the truth.
Rene Descartes- application of methods and reasoning used in mathematics to the field of philosophy. Unlike other scientists believed that senses could be fooled… for Descartes the truth lay in the detached reasoning of the individual mind. Descartes argued that God for example could not be observed, but it was the mind, intelligence & reason proved God’s existence.
Questioning Political Legitimacy: Hobbes vs. Locke- Reformation challenged the authority of the papacy & the Roman Catholic Church. Scientific Revolution was also causing people to challenge political legitimacy. Claiming to rule by divine right was losing legitimacy.
Hobbes- wrote the book Leviathan- began with life in a state of nature (before societies, laws, etc). Believed that humans were inherently selfish & aggressive… left to own resources world would be in chaos & conflict. Therefore citizens needed to have law and ultimately follow a sovereign to avoid chaos.
Locke- he thought that people would cooperate… government would enforce laws, people would surrender freedom to live in a society. This is referred to as a “social contract”. With a Social Contract sovereignty (power) belonged to the people. Life, liberty & property were inalienable rights. Canada: Hobbesian, America: Lockeian… political revolution… Europe dominated by Absolutism vs Constitutionalism.

End of the Thirty Years’ War- change in way countries dealt with one another.
Treaty of Westphalia (1648)- acceptance of national sovereignty. Gov’t not concerned with the people within its own country.

-Mid 1600s England & France dominant powers, led revolutions in science, philosophy, political theory.

THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION
Astronomy & Physics
- Trial of Galileo was a symptom of divide between church and science. The 1700s would usher in a time of scientific revolution which would change how Europeans saw themselves and the universe.
- medieval scientists believed that the earth was the centre of the universe.
Copernicus
- put forward the idea that the sun was the centre of the universe (heliocentric universe). Further said earth rotated on axis every 24 hours.
Galileo
- supported Copernicus’ ideas of heliocentric universe, used a telescope to discover planets, moons to back theories. Galileo up against the Catholic Church.
Johannes Kepler
- sought to prove Galileo correct- 1. elliptical orbit of planets, 2. orbit speed increases as closer to the sun, 3. size of a planet’s orbit is proportional to the objects mass.
Isaac Newton
- Three Laws of Motion: 1) if no force acts upon an object it will stay at rest. 2) every change of motion is directly proportional to the force that caused the change & inversely proportional to the objects mass. 3) Every action force, there is an equal reaction force in the opposite reaction.
The Revolution in Anatomy
William Harvey
- did not agree that the heart worked due to divine intervention. His work opened a new set of questions into human blood & anatomy.

REVOLUTIONS IN THOUGHT
The Trial of Galileo
- 1633- Galileo and science faced off against the church. The church declared the idea of a heliocentric universe heretical- told Galileo not to teach or defend it… tortured him to silence.

UNIT 1: The World Re-Invented Legacy: West & the World
Chapter Two: The Age of Absolutism, 1600-1715

LOUIS XIV, THE SUN KING Reigned from 1643-1715… brought France to the pinnacle of its power.. creating a centralized nation-state and a new sense of French nationhood. New spirit of culture & nationhood, became known as “Sun King”. Consolidating Power - created a standing army, centralized government. Created the Court of State, Court of Finances and Court of Dispatches. Developed a bureaucracy to insure his powers. Also, tried to strip power of papacy, but annulled… yet he did gain control of power over the Catholic Church. Colbert’s Economic Reforms - financial genius, believed in mercantilism… colonization of New France was encouraged. Role of the colonies was to benefit France. The Palace of Versailles - built a monument to the power of Louis XIV. Took 20 year to complete. Versailles became the centre of French power, and enhanced Louis’ role as embodiment of French state. Life at Versailles - routines of life were structured to increase power, and make nobility compete for favour of the King. The Wars of Louis XIV - 4 major wars, with end being 1713 Peace of Utrecht, Louis had reduced French state to impoverished nation. The Legacy of Louis XIV - brought huge power & misery for much of French population.
ABSOLUTISM IN EASTERN EUROPE Peter the Great - some see Peter I as a great man that modernized Russia, others saw the costs as too high. Peter did take Russia down the road toward Westernization. - Reign began in 1682, at age of 10, became first czar of Russia. Westernization of Russia - sent men to Europe to learn about Western ways. Went himself incognito as Peter Mikhailov… also saw need to maintain ties with Eastern Europe and Asia. Encouraged people to learn many languages. Had westerners, including Isaac Newton, come to work in Russia. Securing Power - like other European monarchs, Peter had trouble raising funds to accomplish everything he wanted to do. Taxed the masses heavily… A group known as the streltsy tried to depose Peter to maintain Russian traditions and religion, but they were uncovered and Peter killed 1000 streltsy. Legacy of Peter the Great - described well on page 84. summed up: Peter’s legacy was everywhere… many feel he brought respect to Russia.	ENGLAND IN 17^TH CENTURY Triumph of Constitutionalism - England ruled by Constitutional Monarchy. Reign of James I - son of Mary Queen of Scots… inherited throne when his cousin Elizabeth I died in 1603 without children. Was in constant conflict with Parliament. Charles I and English Civil War - In 1629 Charles I suspended Parliament, but wars drained money and he was forced to recall in 1640. After disputes with Parliament, Charles I was charged with treason and beheaded in 1649. Glorious Revolution - James II fled after William of Orange, the Dutch Monarch took the thrown after being asked by the English to depose James II. Economic Change in 17^th Century England - with the increase and ease of transportation methods in England, local economies became regional, then developed into a national economy.
	WESTERN ART, MUSIC, LITERATURE (Pages 90-99)
LIFE IN 17^TH CENTURY ENGLAND Social Classes & Cultural Units - composed of many distinct social classes. Little inter-mingling, and each had its own set of values and culture. Family Life - often consisted of whole family living under one roof… grandparents, uncle, aunts, etc… male head was in charge of the house, the rest were not considered free. Live-in servants were common in all but poor houses. Marriage Trends Deaths: Life’s Constant Companion - In the 17^th Century death was the centre of all family life. There were diseases, worms, diarrhea, lack of milk… lack of personal hygiene, poor medical resources… filthy towns… huge impact on society and family.