Unit 8 Chapter 19 Absolute Monarchs Section 1 – France

Henry of Navarre 1589 –Becomes Henry IV as he inherits the throne. –First Bourbon king in France –Good leader, clever politician Way to keep power is to put France first. Huguenot, Converts to Catholicism. Issues Edict of Nantes –Gave Huguenots freedom of worship and right to build churches in certain areas, and could defend own towns.

Henry IV Henry devoted reign to rebuilding France. –Restored monarchy power. rebuilt the bureaucracy Tried to fix system of taxation –Peace in France –Some still hated him 1610 – was stabbed to death. Louis XIII (his son) becomes king –Age 8. –Louis was a sick and weak king but appointed wise advisors.

Cardinal Richelieu Cardinal Richelieu – Chief Minister –Took more power away from the nobles –Wanted to centralize power and strengthen the monarchy Intendants-regional agents of the king –Two threats to France Huguenots Hapsburgs –Strengthened trade and industry.

Cardinal Richelieu Huguenots – believed to be dangerous –Wanted to prevent them from challenging power. –1627 – started attacking their cities –1628 – they want peace - agree not fortify cities Hapsburg Empire. – Influenced Thirty Years War

Thirty Years’ War 1618 –Conflict over religion, territory and power –Started as a Protestant revolt in Prague against HRE Cardinal Richelieu tried to influence the war and keep it going but technically keep France out of it until –War basically over

Peace of Westphalia 1648 – Peace treaty ends war. –Weakened Spain, Austria, Holy Roman Empire and Habsburg’s family –Ended religious wars in Europe –Netherlands and Switzerland gained independence –Strengthened France – gained some German land - Alsace

Louis XIV Louis XIII dies –Louis XIV (son) - 5 years old – becomes King –Mother, Anne of Austria and Cardinal Mazarin rule for him until he’s able –Continues to centralize power Mazarin dies - Louis is 23 - rules on his own –Ruled for 72 years –Frances’s most powerful ruler ever –Dominates Europe

Louis XIV - "The Sun King" Symbol was the sun –As the earth depends upon the sun for its existence, so did his subjects depend on him. –Divine right to rule, absolute power, representative from God.

Louis XIV and the Nobility Had hundred of nobility living at Versailles –Helped him dress –Hoping for his approval –The better to watch over them.... Decreased their local power, increased Intendants power.

Louis XIV - Versailles Royal Palace 11 miles southwest of Paris More like a royal city Rich decorations –Showed wealth and power. Elaborate ceremonies Center of culture –Opera became more popular than ballet –Purpose to glorify the king and his values

Colbert Economics Jean Baptiste Colbert - Minister of Finance Believed in Mercantilism –Manufacture what you need, no imports. –Make country self-sufficient –Keep wealth within country. Businesses –Lend Money –Tax breaks until making money –High tariffs on imports Encouraged trade and Colonies –Get raw materials

Colbert Economics Under Colbert –Economy prospered After Colbert’s Death –Economic growth slows

Louis XIV’s Changes 1685 – Louis XIV Canceled Edict of Nantes –Ended religious toleration for Huguenots –Believed they threatened the unity and stability of France –Huguenots, to escape persecution, fled to England, Americas and the Dutch Netherlands. –Weakened France in the long run.

Wars Wanted to extend France to gain natural barriers Invaded Spanish and Dutch Netherlands, Sweden, England, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire. France gains some new territory ’s – European alliance formed –Meant to reach a balance of power.

War of the Spanish Succession France had been weakened by poor harvests and constant warfare and increased taxes. –People wanted peace, got another war Charles II, king of Spain dies, last of Hapsburgs –No heir, promises throne to Philip V, Louis XIV’s grandson European powers concerned about possible unification of France and Spain under the Bourbons. France and Spain vs. Europe

War of the Spanish Succession Peace of Utrecht – 1713 –French suffer loses –Louis agrees that Spain will be ruled by Philip V Would never unite –Austria - gets Spanish Netherlands, areas in Italy. –England - gets New Foundland, Nova Scotia, Hudson Bay, Gibraltar, and Minorca Lands which had been France’s. –Prussia and Savoy recognized as kingdoms –Left France in debt

Louis’s Legacy Louis realized his wars had ruined France –Debt and abuses of power Set up some colonies in U.S., Asia & India Died in 1715 –People of France rejoiced Left a mixed legacy –France was a powerful nation –Debt and abuses would hinder future heirs to throne. Leaders that come after will comparably weaker rulers –Nobility will win back many of its privileges –Royal authority starts to decline.