Absolutism in France

Catholics fought Protestants

St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre

Eye witness account Internet Resource

Religious Wars 1560-90

Henry IV- 1589-1610

“Paris is well worth a Mass”

Converts to Catholicism

Foundation for Foundation for Economic Economic ProsperityProsperity

Edict of Nantes –protected Protestant towns

Armand Richelieu

“If you give me six lines writtenby the most honest man, I will find something in them to hang him.”

Armand Richelieu, cont.

• chief minister to Louis XIII (only 9 yrs old) – asserts royal authority

• power of Nobles

&

Huguenots

More information about Cardinal Richelieu

reduced

Intendants

Estates General

Louis XIV Sun King

Louis XIV 1638-1715

• Inherited throne 5 yrs old

• longest reign in European history• The Fronde – rebellions by nobles • Louis Learns 2 things

1. Can’t trust the nobility2. only alternative to anarchy is concentration of power

“I Am the State” – Louis XIV

• Believer in Divine Right – kings right to rule comes directly from God

Military

Education

Politics

Government

Society

The Sun King

Mercantilism

• Jean Baptiste Colbert – chief finance minister of Louis XIV

• Theory: the more gold/ silver you possess the more powerful your country is

• high tariffs on imported goods

• “fair balance of trade”

• Subsidies on for ExportsMercantilism and the American Revolution The Concise Dictionary of Economics

• Symbol of Absolutism

• housed 10,000 people

• finest examples of French paintings, sculpts, decorations

Successes of Louis XIV

French Culture Rules!!!!

French Culture Rules!!!!

French Culture Replaces Italian Renaissance

Failures of Louis XIV

• Edict of Nantes revoked in 1685

• Huguenots flee France 100,000

• loss of skilled labor hurts French economy

WHOOPS!!!

Failures Cont’dWar of Spanish Succession

attempt to unite France and Spain fought by neighboring powers, led by England

Treaty of Utrecht 1713

France gave up Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Hudson bay to

England

Balance of Power Maintained

Intendants

“When Richelieu rose to power France's King Louis XIII had not solidified his authority in France. A combination of political corruption, an independent nobility, and the power of a Protestant group called the Huguenots, threatened the

monarchy's rule. In 1627 Richelieu set out to secure the authority of the crown through force and political

repression. By 1631 he had crushed Huguenot resistance, severely punished nobles who plotted against the king, and

replaced his enemies in the government. In addition, he expanded the king's authority in the provinces through the

use of royal agents called intendants.”

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