FrancE 16.2

France Experienced a time of peace in the late 15th century after the 100 Years War 1560s-1590s Religious wars between Huguenots and Catholics Peace was once again restored after Henry IV took the throne

Henry IV Huguenot Prince inherited the throne Converted to Catholicism to end the conflict Issued the Edict of Nantes 1598 Granted religious tolerance to the Huguenots Set out to repair France Became involved in every aspect of life Assassinated in 1610

Louis XIII & Cardinal Richelieu 9 Year old Louis XIII inherited the throne Nobles reasserted their power 1624 Louis appointed Cardinal Richelieu as Chief Minister Spent 18 years centralizing power Wanted to destroy Huguenots and nobles Cardinal Mararin appointed as successor to Richelieu Worked as chief minister for Louis XIV

Grandson of Phillip II of Spain Louis XIV Inherited the throne in 1643 at age 5 Chaos ensued after Louis took the throne Mazarin died in 1661 and Louis vowed to take complete control of the government He believed that just as the sun was the center of the universe he was the center of the state Louis XIV Grandson of Phillip II of Spain

Improving France Strengthened Royal power by expanding bureaucracy and appointing intendants Jean-Baptiste Colbert Mercantilist policies to boost the economy Cleared lands for farming Encouraged mining Built up luxury trade of lacemaking High tariffs of imported goods New colonies Still could not support the huge costs of Louis XIV

Decline of France Louis XIV ruled for 72 years and at the end of his reign France was the strongest state in Europe Some of his decisions led to the eventual decline of France Revoked the Edict of Nantes many Huguenots fled Waged costly wars upsetting the Balance of Power