Pyramid Societies in China and France in the 17th-18th Centuries

Reading: Smith (on France and Europe), 658-670, 673-679

France and Qing China Worldwide depression in the 17th c

caused by global cooling

Decline in central control leads to peasant rebellions, banditry, religious wars and wars with invaders

China- rebels take over Beijing- Ming ruler invites Mongols to help him regain control, instead they assume power in all of China

France- Religious wars- Catholics vs. Protestants (1562-1598). Thirty Years War- (1618-1648), Fronde (civil war)

Sovereignty in France and China: Reconstituted after Turmoil

A. Semi-divine monarch- the “sun gods” Louis XIV Qianlong

Kangxi Emperor

Qianlong

Centralization of formal state government

China- Civil service bureaucrats was expanded

and Confucianized during the Ming period. (1368-1644). Competitive jinshi exam largest - education system in the world.

- Court eunuchs and censorate (surveillance)

France- Venal Offices- Cardinal Richelieu- crushes nobles,consolidates power and creates intendants (32 district system)

Enforcing Absolutism

A. Large standing army

B. Intellectual Theory- French Philosophs Bodin and Bousset write about

divine right of kings and the need for one ruler- In China, Confucianism and “Mandate of Heaven”

divine, absolutist emperor

Display of Power – Art, Architecture, Imperial Cities