Growth of absolutism in Austria and Prussia (jan 11, 1620 – dec 9, 1740)

Description:

Achievements in state-building

Differences: France, Spain, Central Europe, & Russia were absolutist (concentrated power in small group) vs England & Dutch were constitutionalist (obliged to respect laws passed by representative institutions)

Similarities: protecting & expanding frontiers (growth in armed forces), larger/more efficient beurocracies, raising new taxes, consolidating central control, competing for the new colonies in the New/Old Worlds

Challenges:
Lack of tech (paved roads, phones) → hard to communicate w/assess info ab distant realms of region → impossible to police + tax population effectively
Diversity of populations (diff languages/ethnicities/cultures) → less willing to obey

Centralized power → sovereignty
Sovereignty = state has monopoly over instruments of justice (no system of courts/church > state courts) & use of force (no private armies [e.g. of feudal lords] > central authority) within clearly defined boundaries

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