Balance Of Power

1. What was the idea of ‘balance of power’ as practiced in Europe in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries? (Short Answer).
The idea behind the balance-of-power was mainly to keep the states with their own independence and avoid universal monarchy. States would often form an alliance with the weaker states if “one state seemed to dictate too much” (Palmer, Colton, & Kramer 2014). Often times the state that did not like what the other state was doing they would build up alliance with the weaker ones instead of the stronger states to “restore the balance” (Palmer, Colton, & Kramer 2014). The alliances were usually formed during emerging situations and they were not politically or religiously inclined, they were formed freely with other allies
that opposed the same differences in protecting their independence.
2. What did the “Glorious Revolution” that took place in England in 1688 achieve, and why is it referred to as “glorious”? (Short Answer).
The Glorious Revolution depicted through a series of events and is what justified the “parliamentary government, the rule of law, and even the right of rebellion against tyranny” (Palmer, Colton, & Kramer 2014). The unseating of James II and the new seating of William III and Mary II (they were for the sake of Protestantism) on the English throne lead to the strengthening of the parliament. The accomplishment of the Glorious Revolution is that later in 1689 the parliament enacted the Bill of Rights stating that “no law could be suspended by the king, no taxes could be raised or army maintained except by parliamentary consent, and no subject could be arrested and detained without legal process” (Palmer, Colton, & Kramer 2014). Once James II was fully overthrown, the glorious part of the revolution is that people felt freed from his reign and they actually had a voice in society, relieved of all the tyranny.

3.
Explain the doctrine of “absolutism”, or “absolute monarchy”, which affirmed the “divine right of kings.” (Short Answer).
The doctrine of absolutism can be best described as a king or ruler who dictates the laws and forces within a country. Absolute monarchy was most popular in France during the seventeenth century and was taught in all the churches. It was Jacques-Benigne Bossuet who was a theorist and stated that “old Christian teaching that all power comes from God and that all who hold power are responsible to God for the way they use it” (Palmer, Colton, & Kramer 2014). According to Bossuet, if you were an individual during this time and had royal power you were absolute but not arbitrary (Palmer, Colton, & Kramer 2014). Bossuet’s theory was used because it sounded reasonable and justifiable; he used God to reflect upon his theory making it sound as if it were the law of God. In reality, the ruler or king had absolute power and was free from “dictation by parlements, estates, or other subordinate elements” (Palmer, Colton, & Kramer 2014). Ultimately, what the will of the ruler or king said was right as long as it was imitated the law of God, thus supporting the divine right of
kings.
4. Describe the events and steps by which Prussia emerged as a major European power by the end of Fredrick the Great’s reign. (Essay).
In 1640, during the Thirty Years’ War a man by the name of Fredrick William, later known as the Great Elector was the first of many leaders to help shape modern Prussia. He created an army to portray a powerful image to other countries, yet he used diplomatic tactics to achieve his goals. Fredrick forged alliances with France and Sweden he made deal the emperor of Habsburgs in which he will give him a 8,000 troops in exchange to be recognized as the king of Prussia. Since the army was so large the economy grew around it in order to satisfy the demands of the troops. In Prussia’s society, the army had a big influence because of the size of the population, since in places like France the noble families may have some officers in the army; in Prussia most noble families had officers in the army. He focused so much on the army that by the time of his death the army had doubled in size and it made up 20% of the population in Berlin.
5.
Discuss the political, economic, and religious developments in France during the reign of King Louis XIV, and how the other states of Europe reacted to create a ‘balance of power’ designed to check France’s rise in power and influence both in Europe and overseas. (Essay).
King Louis XIV reign lasted for 72 years, thus becoming one of the most influential kings in modern history. From a political standpoint, he accomplished absolute monarchy in which he ruled France opposing from government democracy. Armies were disorganized and mainly fought for the nobles that owned them. Louis XIV decided to unify these armies so they can fight for him; he united them and organized them into units and ranks. The army was now subsidized by Louis XIV and became dependent upon the government.
Economically, Louis XIV attained taxes from the peasants since the nobles were often exempt from taxation, but towards the end of Louis XIV’s reign he started taxing the aristocrats due to the heavy expenditure of the army during war. Louis XIV wanted to make France economically prosperous, and appointed Jean-Baptiste Colbert to strengthen the economy. Jean-Baptiste Colbert established the Colbert Commercial Code, which placed government oversight on the imports and exports, it created new rules and regulations, quality controls for the guilds as well as improving the transportation infrastructure in order to facilitate commerce, and expansion of French
products.
Religiously, a the beginning of Louis XIV’s reign there was more tolerance to religion compared to any other European country. When Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes in 1685 a lot of Protestants were persecuted and they had to flee the country; this in return caused economic problems since many of them were merchants vital to the economy.
Europe saw the rise of power King Louis XIV achieved and this made other European countries to unite against France’s climb in power. There was a triple alliance between the Dutch, Swedes, and English, which blocked an attempt to invade the Spanish Netherlands. The Austrian and Spanish Hapsburg, Brandenburg, and Denmark form an alliance with the Dutch Republic, which made King Louis XIV sign the treaty of Nimwegen in 1678.