Absolutism and Enlightenment: Origins, Politics, and Society
The Spanish State
Concept and Origins
An absolute state is a form of governance characterized by:
- The existence of a king who exercises the three powers.
- Dividing society into estates.
This form of government occurred in Europe between 1650 and 1789. These kings were said to have been chosen by God to rule.
Throughout the struggle between the nobility and kings against the Church, several phases developed:
- Feudal Monarchy: Nobles were feudal lords until the monarchs were gradually imposed.
- Authoritarian Monarchy: The kings had greater power but still took into account the views of the nobles. The clergy and the aristocracy had the highest weight of votes.
- Absolute Monarchy: The monarchs took all the power, but the nobles retained their privileges and political positions. The best example of an absolute monarch was Louis XIV, who made France Europe’s hegemon.
Political Developments During the Absolutist Period
In Europe, absolutism governed in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, except in Britain. The epoch of absolutism can be differentiated into two stages:
- Stage One (1648 – 1700): Louis XIV: Louis XIV defeated the Spanish monarchs to turn France into a dominant power on the continent and strengthened his authority against the nobility and the Church.
War of Spanish Succession (1700 – 1714)
In 1700, Spain was in decline, and European kings wanted its throne. Charles II died childless and Philip of Anjou (grandson of Louis XIV) took over. When the conflict ended, Philip of Anjou was crowned as Philip V (the first Bourbon in Spain).
- Second Stage (1714 to 1789): Balance of Power: This period was characterized by the existence of several European powers: France, Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Austria. Although there were many wars between these countries, none came to dominate during this period.
Society Under Absolute Monarchy
Absolutist society is characterized by:
- It was divided into three strata. The first and second consisted of the nobility and clergy, and the Third Estate was formed of peasants and bourgeois.
- The social structure was closed, i.e., one could not change estates and belonged to one or another by birth.
- Criminal penalties were not the same for a peasant as for a nobleman. The population was governed by taxes (the 1st and 2nd estates did not pay, but the 3rd did).
(Make triangle)
The Enlightenment
What is the Enlightenment?
It was a political and cultural movement that gained its greatest strength in the mid-eighteenth century. The elements it defended were:
- The use of reason as an instrument to change reality.
- The search for human progress. It was said that progress was improving the lifestyle of humans.
The Political and Social Implications of the Enlightenment
The Enlightenment became a fashion and was the beginning of major changes that would end in the French Revolution. A new class called the bourgeoisie emerged. They were neither nobles nor peasants but bankers, artisans, traders… (people with money) but remained in the third estate.
Burghers and nobles who had decided to reform the old regime, using reason and knowledge as tools, raised these objectives:
- The lien should cease to exist.
- Political power should not be elected for religion.
- They demanded laws and regulations (including for the king).
- The people had a right to participate in political decisions.
- The economy should be free.