HIST 1003 Chapter : 9 10
9-10
European Discovery of the new world accelerated the price revolution. It produced wealth that could be
used to fund wars of religion and fund arts.
Economic ca. 1600?-1740?
Basic Causes
1. Demographic stagnation or decline
2. Deflation of prices in Silver
3. Increased demands of war vis weaker socio-economic base
B. Results
1, Nw Europe gains money. Spain declines. (cumulative advantage)
2. The 17th century Political Crisis
3. Trade Wars (esp. Anglo-Dutch, 1650s-1660s)
The 17th century Political Crisis ca. 1640-1653
Central Issue: the claim of sovereigns to give laws without the consent of subjects
Origins of the Contract Theory of Political Power
An intensification of a longer-term struggle with the elite in several European states over who would
have power and tax revenue
Introduction Expressed in terms of “sovereignty” v. “Tyranny”
Sovereignty- the right to give the law to all people w.o consent
Tyranny- arbitrary or despotic exercise of power unrestrained by law, constitution, or custom (i.e by
justice)
-Resistance to tyrants is ok even under Divine right
Monarchs claim- absolute (sole, exclusive) power to legislate because of
1. Roman Law Codes
2. Theories of “Sovereignty”
3. King is Gods’s representative on earth
Introduction
Document Summary
European discovery of the new world accelerated the price revolution. It produced wealth that could be used to fund wars of religion and fund arts. Basic causes: demographic stagnation or decline, deflation of prices in silver. Increased demands of war vis weaker socio-economic base: results. Spain declines. (cumulative advantage: the 17th century political crisis, trade wars (esp. Central issue: the claim of sovereigns to give laws without the consent of subjects. Origins of the contract theory of political power. An intensification of a longer-term struggle with the elite in several european states over who would have power and tax revenue. Introduction expressed in terms of sovereignty v. tyranny . Sovereignty- the right to give the law to all people w. o consent. Tyranny- arbitrary or despotic exercise of power unrestrained by law, constitution, or custom (i. e by justice) Resistance to tyrants is ok even under divine right.
