The Path to Power
Uploaded by livin4him16 on Nov 08, 2007
The Path to Power:
The Journey of England, France & Spain
As William Ellery Channing once said “Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.” (Lewis) Just like the human spirit grows and becomes more powerful through conflict so does that of a nation. England, France and Spain had many conflicts both internally and internationally in order to become a World Power in the early modern period. The Scientific Revolution changed how Europeans thought about the physical universe. These innovative thought patterns propelled them into a path of progress, compelling them to make changes in not only their economic and political policies, but how they dealt with social matters as well. These changes transformed the individual from a member of a small group to that of a subject of a large nation-state.
The idea of absolutism, which became a buzz-word in European political circles after the restoration of the absolute monarchy in Spain, was the conductor of change Louis XIV used in implementing changes to the economic and political institutions in France. (Blänkner) Louis XIV, afraid of confrontation with aristocrats, developed a tactic through means of The Court of Versailles which cut their influence in the countryside while allowing him to increase his political power within all of France. During Louis XIV’s reign a series of wars initiated, not for religious purposes, but for the control of property and land in Europe, which cost him favor throughout Europe and the worst economic depression in the country’s history by the late 1600’s. (p. 421, Hause & Maltby)
Economic gain did not come as easy for England as other European countries. It wasn’t until the creation of a modern navy that England could keep up with the rest of Europe. England’s economic growth was based, in part, to it’s geographical advantages. With it’s numerous deep water ports and windward location England became a prime candidate naval exploration, the fastest way to travel on those days. By the eighteenth century London, England became the commercial center of the world, but a growing problem was emerging in the streets of London. In proportion to the increase in the countries wealth, the growth of its slums and poverty did as well. This proved to be true of the rest of the continent. The Old Regime, which divided people into categories...