Justified and rationalized by theories of political sovereignty, states adopted a variety of methods to acquire the human, fiscal, and material resources essential for the promotion of their interests.
Sovereignty,
c. 1648-1815
Between 1648 and 1815, the sovereign state was consolidated as the principal form of political organization across Europe. Justified and rationalized by theories of political sovereignty, states adopted a variety of methods to acquire the human, fiscal, and material resources essential for the promotion of their interests. Although challenged and sometimes effectively resisted by various social groups and institutions, the typical state of the period, best exemplified by the rule of Louis XIV in France, asserted claims to absolute authority within its borders. A few states, most notably England and the Dutch Republic, gradually developed governments in which the authority of the executive was restricted by legislative bodies protecting the interests of the landowning and commercial classes.
Between the Peace of Westphalia (1648) and the Congress of Vienna (1814–1815), European states managed their external affairs within a balance of power system. In this system, diplomacy became a major component of the relations among states. Most of the wars of the period, including conflicts fought outside of Europe, stemmed from attempts either to preserve or disturb the balance of power among European states. While European monarchs continued to view their affairs in dynastic terms, increasingly, reasons of state influenced policy.
Source: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-european-history-course-and-exam-description.pdf
Between the Peace of Westphalia (1648) and the Congress of Vienna (1814–1815), European states managed their external affairs within a balance of power system. In this system, diplomacy became a major component of the relations among states. Most of the wars of the period, including conflicts fought outside of Europe, stemmed from attempts either to preserve or disturb the balance of power among European states. While European monarchs continued to view their affairs in dynastic terms, increasingly, reasons of state influenced policy.
Source: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-european-history-course-and-exam-description.pdf
Theories of Absolute Monarchy
Portrait of Louis XIV as Jupiter Conquering the Fronde (1655) by Charles François Poerson. He was just that fabulous. No lie.
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The English Civil War
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Charles I at the Hunt (1635) by Anthony van Dyck depicts Charles resting in a manner described as a "subtle compromise between gentlemanly nonchalance and regal assurance".
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English Constitutionalism
The Dutch Republic
The Anglo-Dutch Wars and Franco-Dutch War greatly weakened the Netherlands and brought an end to the Dutch Golden Age.
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The Bourbon Dynasty of France
French culture and influence were at their height during the reign of Louis XV (r. 1715–1774). However, his leadership weakened France, and he is credited with saying "Après moi, le déluge" ("After me, comes the flood") foreshadowing the French Revolution and the collapse of the monarchy.
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The Romanov Dynasty of Russia
Peter I, the Great (r. 1682–1725) elevated Russia from a weak state on Europe's eastern fringe to a Great Power as he modernized and Westernized the nation.
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The Hohenzollern Dynasty of Prussia
Frederick II, the Great (r. 1740–1786) greatly expanded Prussia's territory and made Prussia a leading military power in Europe. Considering himself "the first servant of the state", he advocated enlightened absolutism.
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The Hapsburg Dynasty of Austria
Maria Theresa (r. 1740–1780), the only female leader of the Hapsburg dynasty, modernized Austria, mothered 16 children, and defended her lands against Frederick the Great of Prussia in both the War of Austrian Succession and Seven Years’ War.
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The Partitions of Poland
Poland fell so far from its once Great Power status, that Catherine the Great of Russia, Joseph II of Austria, and Frederick the Great of Prussia began the conquest and Partitions of Poland by the 1770s.
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