Absolutism In The 17th Century

The 17th century was a period of revolution in the countries of England and France. Two types of government emerged during this time period in Europe: absolutism and constitutionalism. In an absolutist state, like France, sovereignty is embodied in the ruler; while in constitutionalist states, like England, a balance of power is held between the state and the crown. The period of King Henry IV of France’s reign to King Louis XIV was the height of absolutism in France and showed all the nobles that the monarch had absolute power. The Tudors of England was able to utilize absolutism, but their successors were not able too. William of Orange and Mary took control and handed the power to Parliament, and thus began constitutionalism. The rise of absolutism, the rise of …show more content…
The foundations for absolutism was laid by King Henry IV. Henry IV, a Huguenot, turned Catholic to end the conflict between Catholics, and issued the Edict of Nantes to grant religious toleration and other freedoms. He also built the royal bureaucracy, reduced the influence of nobles, and improved every aspect of French life. By having the ability to control people, due to the Edict of Nantes, and a royal bureaucracy Henry IV laid the foundations of absolutism. His successor, Louis XIII, appoints Cardinal Richelieu as the chief minister. Richeliu strenghthens the royal authority by destroying the power of the Huguenots and the nobles. By destroying these two groups, he is able to increase the King’s power. When Richeliu died, he appointed