Civic Politics and Civic Values in Colmar, 1648-1715

• Published in: French historical studies Vol. 18; no. 4; pp. 907 - 937
• Main Author: Wallace, Peter G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Baton Rouge, La., etc Society for French Historical Studies 01.10.1994; Duke University Press, NC & IL
• Subjects: Cities; City councils; City politics; Civics; Communities; Government; History; Louis XIV, King of France (1638-1715); Lutheranism; Magistrates; Merchants; Petitioners; Politics; Taxes; Colmar France
• ISSN: 0016-1071; 1527-5493
• DOI: 10.2307/286723

This essay analyzes the transformation of political relations and values in the Alsatian imperial city of Colmar under Louis XIV. Colmar's constitutional traditions advocated contractual ties between the citizenry and elected municipal officials. Prior to French conquest in 1673, however, a small circle of merchants and administrative professionals came to dominate civic life. After 1673 French rule altered both the structure and the praxis of government at Colmar. The Crown refashioned the municipal regime and created new officials, such as the preteur royal, to supervise its activities. In the 1690s the cost of venal offices indebted the city and mingled public and private interests for civic officials. The citizenry reacted with a series of petitions to the Crown, culminating in 1711 in a popular reform movement led by Johann Jacob Sonntag, which exposed two conflicting political worldviews. The citizens called for a return to contractual politics, while functionaries of the regime defended themselves as loyal officiers of the Crown. Thus events at Colmar shed light on the disruptive impact of Louis XIV's policies among local power brokers and traditional civic factions.