In the history of Europe, at the beginning of the 17th century, the existence of new types of political states came into existence, whose nature was completely different from the nature of the Ottoman Empire and the Holy Roman Empire. Absolute monarchy started to become a unit of the modern state type of Europe. The following were the reasons for the rise of absolute national monarchy in France at the beginning of the seventeenth century—
1. Weakness in feudalism
The feudatories gradually increased their power and started ruling like small states. In fact, the feudatories were small kings who used to fight with each other. Not only this, he used to consult the king as well. The condition of the farmers in the feudal system was also very deplorable. The exploited people were very much suffering from the feudal system. Therefore, direct contact was established between the public and the king. Feudalism declined due to the support of the king by the people. The power of the king increased. As a result, the way for the establishment of autocratic monarchies was paved.
2. Weakening of religious authority
By the end of the Middle Ages, many defects had arisen in the Church. The Pope, whose command was paramount in the religious field, began to think of himself as the representative of God. In addition to the religious field, the Pope also started interfering in the political field, but due to the advent of the modern era and the Renaissance, the people of Europe had now become rational. He opposed the immorality, corruption and luxury of the Pope. Rulers who were opposed to the authority of the Pope in political matters took advantage of public sentiments and vehemently opposed the authority of the Pope. As a result of the religious reform movement, the church became completely subordinate to the king. This increased the honor and prestige of the position of the king. The administration of the churches now came under the authority of the king. Thus, the decline of the papacy proved to be an important factor in the growth of the power of monarchies.
3. Rise of the middle class
The decline of the feudal system proved to be very important from the point of view of the rise of the middle class. In the beginning of the sixteenth century, the social and economic condition of the middle class became very strong. The middle class supported the monarchy in view of the development and security of their trade and commerce. The kings also gained the sympathy of the middle class by patronizing trade and commerce. Colonization got a boost, the intelligentsia contributed significantly to the development of the feeling of nationalism. In the book named 'Prince' composed by Machiavelli, the 'principle of divine rights' of the king was confirmed. Hence the importance of establishment of monarchy in Europe was accepted.
4. Innovation
The new inventions taking place during the Renaissance gave a special contribution to the rise of autocratic monarchies. The invention of gunpowder, the use of cannons, changes in wartime, the discovery of new colonies, and the invention of the printing press proved to be very effective from this point of view.
5. Efforts of the rulers
France was the first country in Europe, in which political unity was first established. In France, the national government had been established in the thirteenth century by suppressing the feudatories. The king of France, taking advantage of the increase in his rights, levied land tax and in this way increased the power of the king by spending immense money. To increase the power of the king, Louis-XI strengthened the monarchy by crushing the power of many feudal lords and weakening the influence of the church. The political and military authority of religious leaders was abolished during the reign of Louis XIII. The feudatories were weakened and turned into beautiful puppets, along with centralization of administration.
6. Favorable European Position
The situation in Europe at this time proved to be favorable for France as Austrian power had been weakened by the Thirty Years' War, Spain was on the verge of collapse, Germany was suffering from its own political and economic problems, England was in a state of turmoil. While France was in a better position due to the efforts of Richelieu and Mazarin. In Heyes's words, a "favorable background for the beginning of a new era" had been created.
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