THE Formation of National Monarchies it occurred during the period of the Low Middle Ages, between the 12th and 15th centuries, in the countries of Western Europe.
The main examples of national monarchies are Portuguese, Spanish, French and English.
The process took place in a similar way in European countries, but at different times. In Portugal it began in the 12th century, with the Dynasty of Burgundy (or Afonsina), being later consolidated by the Dynasty of Avis. For their part, in Spain, France and England, the formation of Nation States began in the 15th century.
In Spain it occurred from the union of the kingdoms of Aragon and Castile and its heyday happened during the reign of the Habsburgs. Both countries, Portugal and Spain, began the process of formation of national states after the expulsion of the Moors (Muslims).
In France, considered the model of European absolutism, this process took place throughout the reign of the Capetingian and Valois dynasties. However, it will be the Bourbon Dynasty that will consolidate France's absolutist monarchs.
Finally, in England, through the Plantagenet and Tudor dynasties.
National monarchies can be called the Absolutist State, Absolutist Monarchies or even the Modern State.
Historical context
Demographic growth, the rise of the bourgeoisie and the development of commerce, from the expansion of sea routes, meant that the feudal model no longer worked as before.
In this way, the new economic development needed another political model. Thus, European countries were centralizing power in the hands of a king and this became one of the important figures alongside the Church and the new class that emerged: the bourgeoisie.
The bourgeoisie and the National State
Alongside this, mercantilist ideals conquer merchants, merchants and bourgeois professionals. Money becomes more important than land and this gives rise to the birth of a new economic system: capitalism.
However, when this system emerged it was different from what we have today. That's why historians call it primitive capitalism.
At that time, trade monopoly, customs protectionism (protection of the economy by the entry of foreign products), and metalism (accumulation of precious metals) were defended.
Finally, the feudal system (administered by the feudal lords) was being replaced by the capitalist system. At this time, there is growth of cities (burgos) and the intensification of trade and open markets by the bourgeois class. This period was known as commercial renaissance and Urban.
Faced with this, the feudal lords, who had power in the Middle Ages, begin to lose their position. For his part, the King becomes the figure responsible for administering politics, the economy, justice and the army.
All these characteristics through the power centered on a single sovereign figure, the King, became known as Monarchical Absolutism.
read more: Bourgeoisie
national state
From this, the National States were created, also called modern state, with defined borders and a national army (with the end of the private armies of feudal lords). In the economic sphere, the national monarchies aimed at the unification of monetary standards and also a system for collecting taxes.
This increase in power to the Monarch was obtained by the support of part of the nobility and, above all, of the bourgeois, the new social class that was enriched with the development of commerce.
With the rise of the bourgeoisie, it started to fight for the autonomy of the cities that were still dominated by feudal lords. This movement was known as communal movement and it was a compromise between several cities to form a single defense against an attack.
In short, the union of the political interests of Kings and the economic interests of the bourgeoisie were essential for the formation of Monarchies or National States. Thus, the domain of the feudal lords of the medieval period was extinguished, giving rise to the Modern Era.
To know more:
- Absolutism
- absolutist state
- Questions about absolutism
- urban renaissance
