Absolutism in Europe and the American Revolution

1. Absolutism and Mercantilism

Absolutism was based on mercantilism, the economic system driven primarily by Louis XIV's finance minister, Jean-Baptiste Colbert. He advocated for three major ideas:

• Accumulate precious metals
• Develop foreign trade
• Encourage the role of the state

2. The American Revolution: Foreign Aid

The American army, led by George Washington, was aided by foreign powers, most notably:

• France
• Spain

3. Thomas Hobbes and the Leviathan

The English philosopher Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) argued in his work *Leviathan* for:

Unlimited absolute sovereign power to ensure peace and coexistence within the state.

4. Powers of the Absolute Monarch

The monarch held absolute power over several aspects, including:

• Control over entities external to the Crown: the Church, representative institutions, and local authorities.
• Centralized administration.
• Suppression of religious dissent.
• Consecration and exaltation of the King in art and propaganda.
• Formation of a centralized state army.
• Submission of the nobility.

5. Louis XIV: The Embodiment of Absolute Power

The King of France, Louis XIV (1638-1715), was the supreme expression of absolute power, which is synthesized in the phrase: "L'État, c'est moi" (I am the State).

6. Public Finances and Tax Increases

The king strengthened and developed public finances to impose new taxes, which overlapped the traditional ones required under municipalities and manors. The sudden increase in taxes generated:

Progressive unrest in the population, which sometimes led to mutiny against the Treasury.

7. King George III, Colonial Taxes, and the Boston Tea Party

King George III attempted to establish several laws to regulate colonial taxes, but the colonies responded by protesting and boycotting British products. In 1773, the English government established the Tea Acts, seeking to monopolize the tea trade, which threatened to ruin American merchants. The American merchants' response was:

Disguised as Native Americans, they attacked British ships in the town of Boston, located in the colony of Massachusetts. This led to the blockade of the port of Boston and the revocation of rights in Massachusetts, causing indignation throughout the colonies.

8. U.S. Elections: Exceptions to the Popular Vote

In U.S. presidential elections, the candidate who wins the popular vote in each state wins all of that state's electoral votes, except for the following states:

• Maine
• Nebraska

9. Reforms of Charles III

Among the reforms outlined by Charles III were:

• Expanding education to all sectors of society.
• Reducing the powers of the Inquisition.
• Curtailing the privileges of the nobility and clergy.

In this context, he decided to expel the Jesuits from Spain.

10. United States: A Land of Freedom and Opportunity

After independence, the United States was configured as a land of freedom and opportunity. As a result, it:

Attracted many migrants from all continents.