Cannaraozzi on Centralized Political Control

Compare the degree and means of centralized political control in 17th century France under Louis XIV and in Nazi Germany (1933-1945

FRANCE

Background:

Louis XIV (1643-1715) took power at age 23 the day after Cardinal Mazarin’s death. Right from the start he expressed his desire for an absolute monarchy.

1661-1715, “Age of Louis XIV” says Voltaire, historians today.

“Sun King” source of light for all people.

Government:

France had overlapping central authorities – Louis tried to change, reconstruct and centralize.

Versailles provided physical center for all policy-making and government proceedings

Louis removed high nobles from the royal council and replaced them with members of new aristocratic families, which he could fully control. Moved them right into Versailles in many cases.

Controlled all of the ministers and secretaries. Gave power over all foreign policy, war and peace negotiations and taxes.

Finances

Jean-Baptiste Colbert 1619-1683
Controller of general finances for Louis

Stuck to a strict mercantilism system. In reality all policy was geared to gaining more power for the king and more wealth for Versailles.

Burden of taxes fell on the already depressed peasants. As soon as the treasury was reestablished Louis depleted it on war costs.

Efficiency:

Local officials oftentimes bribed to carry out the will of Louis, corrupt system.
Frequently policies went unenforced due to lack of technology, distance.

Local officials who did not agree with laws or policies chose not to enforce them within their district.

Louis never achieved his dream of a true absolute monarchy.

NAZI GERMANY

Background:

Hitler and the Nazi Party take advantage of the weak post-war German government.

Take control and Hitler becomes chancellor (January 30, 1933), now has a clear path to put into practice all of his goals stated in Mein Kampf.

Diplomatic Revolution:

Between 1933-1936, achieved by Hitler and Nazi Germany

Germany fully rearmed, Hitler appealed to the people through speeches to right the wrongs they had been forced to endure as a result of Versailles.

As time went on organized chaos and economic pressures caused Hitler to contradict foreign policy goals set forth in Mein Kampf

A wave of legislative acts were passed starting in 1933 against the Jewish people.

Hitler attempted to control all of Germany and the rest of Europe. Not only the political situation but the people’s religious lives as well.

Hitler eliminated all rights of the people and all freedoms previously enjoyed by the German citizens.

The Nazi Party controlled all of the media coming in and out of the country and all news distributed within the country. This limited what people knew of what was really going on.

Hitler used terror and force to centralize and establish his government. Forced people to work for him and assist in his cause.