17th Century Europe: Political Systems, Economic Thought, and Social Change
Key Concepts of 17th Century Europe
Authoritarian Monarchies
The powers of state government were controlled by the monarch alone, who ruled without having to consult traditional institutions, such as the Cortes or other forms of parliament.
Parliamentary System
The power of the monarch or the most senior authority was limited by a parliament, which represented the interests of the three estates.
Mercantilism
Most European states adhered to the principles of mercantilism, an economic theory and practice based on the view that a country’s wealth derives from the quantity of precious metals it owns. To increase this form of wealth, mercantilist theory advocated state intervention in the economy and the conquest of new markets.
Empiricism
Formulated by the English philosopher and scientist Francis Bacon, who created the scientific or experimental method. According to him, it was only through observation and practical experiments that scientific laws of a general nature could be formulated.
Demographic Stagnation
Europe’s population grew very little during the 17th century, rising from 106 to 130 million people. The causes of this limited growth were poor harvests, the harsh impact of the Thirty Years’ War, and the resurgence of the plague.
Political Structures of the 17th Century
Characteristics of Authoritarian Monarchies
Divine Origin of Power
Monarchs believed their power was bestowed upon them directly by God, making them accountable to God alone.
Centralized Administration
Managed from the court by civil servants, this system ensured the monarch controlled the economy and army, and that their orders were obeyed throughout their kingdom.
Case Study: Louis XIV of France
In Europe, the best example of an absolute monarch was Louis XIV of France (1643-1715), known as the Sun King. He controlled all the powers of state government and created an efficient public administration and tax system.
The Evolution of Parliamentary Systems
England: A Parliamentary Monarchy
England stands as the best example of a parliamentary monarchy. Attempts to introduce absolute monarchy there met with strong opposition from the English Parliament. The confrontation between the monarch and Parliament led to two significant revolutions: in 1640 and 1688.
- The 1640 Revolution ended with the execution of King Charles I (1649).
- The 1688 Revolution concluded with the abdication of James II and the coronation of the Dutch nobleman William of Orange.
King William III, in 1689, signed a Bill of Rights, which obligated the king to obey laws approved by Parliament, significantly limiting royal power.
The United Provinces: A Republic
The United Provinces established a republic composed of seven provinces, each with its own parliament. Representatives from these provincial parliaments would convene at the States General to make decisions on shared issues.
Demographic Challenges in 17th Century Spain
The 17th Century Demographic Crisis in Spain
Spain’s population dramatically fell from 8 to 6 million inhabitants during this period. This significant decline was attributed to several factors:
- Ongoing wars
- Poor harvests
- Epidemics of bubonic plague
- High levels of emigration to America
The Expulsion of the Moriscos (1609)
In addition, the expulsion of the Moriscos had been decreed in the reign of Philip III (1609). Their expulsion led to the departure of around 300,000 people, leaving many villages empty. It also deprived the landowning nobility of a submissive and hardworking labour force. The Kingdom of Valencia suffered most from this, as it had the highest Moriscos population.