Louis XIV and Absolutism

Louis XIV

• Louis XIV stated "L'état, c'est moi," meaning "I am the state."
• Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, reigned from 1643 to 1715, marking the rise of absolutism.
• France was transformed into a major world power under his rule.
• The Estates General was disabled.
• Vast sums of money were spent on the arts.
• A large military was created.
• Versailles was constructed.
• France was in a state of uncertainty when he departed.

Practice of Absolutism

• The crown, state, law, order, and stability are all interconnected.
• Absolutism involves governing with absolute, sovereign power vested in the king, who holds ultimate authority.
• Rulers are chosen by divine right, making them accountable only to God.

New France (1630)

• Cartier established limited settlements in the New World.
• The desire for colonization was driven by the fur trade, as there wasn't any gold or silver available
• The French monarchy gave private firms fur rights.
• New France expanded geographically as fur profits fell due to lower supply, although the population remained small.

Three Reasons for French Louisiana

• International rivalry existed between France, England, and Spain.
• Securing sugar colonies in the West Indies was the main goal of the French military base on the Gulf Coast.
• "Mercantilism" necessitated a French colony in the lower Mississippi region.

Absolute and Constitutional Monarchies

• France was an absolute monarchy.
• Absolute monarchs have unchecked authority and power, not limited by law, custom, or legislative bodies.
• Absolutism is part of Louisiana's political heritage.
• England had a constitutional monarchy.
• The English Civil War took place from 1642-1651.
• Oliver Cromwell was the leader of the Protectorate.
• A Monarch is the head of state, but exists within a constitution.
• The political heritage of 49 other states include Monarchies.

Queen Elizabeth I

• Queen Elizabeth I ruled from 1558-1603.
• She was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.
• Protestantism was firmly established in England under her rule.

King James I of England

• Elizabeth I had no children.
• James had to deal with parliament.
• Money issues were present.
• He was Calvinist and did not act against the Catholic Church.
• Puritans of parliament were upset.
• King James Bibles exist.

English Civil War

• The English Civil War occurred between 1642 and 1649.
• England attempted to impose the Anglican Church on Scotland, leading to a Scottish rebellion.
• Charles requested funds from Parliament.
• Parliament would assist Charles only if he agreed to certain conditions, such as eliminating Bobke Courts which are courts with no jury.
• The King and Parliament were in conflict.
• The King led troops to arrest members of Parliament.
• Parliament raised troops against the king.
• Cavaliers (royals) wore red.
• Roundheads (Parliamentarians) wore orange.

Oliver Cromwell

• Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) served as the Lord General of the Parliament army.

Scientific Revolution vs. Enlightenment

• The Scientific Revolution occurred from 1543-1687.
• It laid the foundation for scientific inquiry, without directly challenging the social order.
• The Enlightenment took place from 1715-1789.
• It built on the foundations of the Scientific Revolution
• Society was reformed.
• The Enlightenment intentionally challenged the social order.

Pillars of the Enlightenment

• Order in the universe is governed by rules and can be understood and shaped.
• Independent reasoning is used for understanding.

Voltaire

• Voltaire (1694-1778) was a French Enlightenment philosopher.
• He developed the concept of deism, suggesting that God created the universe and its rules but allows it to run on its own.
• God is seen as a "clockmaker" in this view.

Jean Jacques Rousseau

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau advocated for the social contract and popular sovereignty, asserting that people should agree on their form of government.
• Rulings should reflect the will of the people
• He favored an enlightened despot as a leader.
• A German-British composer who spent majority of his career in London was George Frideric Handel
• His music is still performed at British Coronations.
• Handel's Messiah (1741) is his composition.

Paths to Enlightenment

• There was a popularization of science done by Fontenelle.
• New skepticism emerged.
• Travel literature had an impact in the noble savage.
• Cultural Relativism was present.

Bernard De Fontenelle

• Bernard de Fontenelle (1657-1757) made science more accessible and popularized it.
• He was the Secretary of the French Royal Academy of Science.
• Fontenelle did not conduct scientific experiments or make scientific discoveries.
• He communicated scientific knowledge in a clear and simple way.
• Bernard wrote in an engaging style that made people want to read his work.
• Plurality of Worlds (1868), featuring two lovers discussing science under the stars, is his best known work.

Deductive Reasoning

• Deductive reasoning is a type of logic that goes from a general statement to a specific instance.
• The classic example: All men are mortal. Socrates is a man. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.

The Scientific Method

• First, make an observation.
• State a hypothesis.
• Predict the entire class (everyone who ever lived had an anchor tattoo with “USN” has served in the navy).
• Then, experiment.
• Analyze Your Data and Draw a Conclusion.
• Communicate Your Result.
• If the evidence doesn't align with your hypothesis, create another hypothesis and experiment again.

Women in the Scientific Revolution

• Margeret Cavendish lived from 1623-1673.
• She was the Duchess of Newcastle (aristocat).
• She argued against the belief that science would make men masters of nature.
• Querelle des femmes- a literary and scientific debate about the nature and the status of women
• The Scientific Revolution reaffirmed traditional ideas about women.

Querelle des Femmes

• Women’s Suffrage was advocated for.
• Reproductive Rights were advocated for.
• Bodily Autonomy was advocated for.
• Property Rights were advocated for.
• Legal rights were advocated for.
• Medical rights were advocated for.

The Moors: Foundations of the Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution

• Muslim people of Berber and Arab descent played a significant role in European history.
• In 711 CE, they conquered the Iberian Peninsula and introduced Islamic culture, knowledge, and innovations, for example coffee.
• Hygiene: Advanced bathing techniques: soap, toothbrushes, deodorants to europe
• Ancient Greek and Roman texts were translated and influenced enlightenment philosophers and Church Fathers (St. Thomas Aquinas).
• Science: Advanced astronomical instruments and knowledge were introduced, influencing Copernicus and Galileo.