Chapter 16 Section 2 France Under Louis XIV

Religious Trouble 1500’s France torn apart by wars of religion Catholic majority vs. French Protestants (Huguenots) St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre > 3,000 Huguenots killed

Bringing Peace Henry IV (Huguenot) takes the throne Converted to Catholicism to end fighting Issues Edict of Nantes Gave Huguenots religious toleration His govt. tried to improve every aspect of French life Reduced noble influence Laid foundation for absolute rule

Royal Authority 1610 Henry IV is assassinated Louis XIII takes throne (9 yrs. old) Cardinal Richelieu appointed chief minister Strengthened central govt. Destroyed power of Huguenots and nobles Richelieu death > Louis XIV takes throne Successor Mazarin > chief minister

Absolute Monarch Rises Disorder early on > the Fronde > uprising Mazarin dies > Louis XIV ready to rule Believed > divine right Louis XIV never called on the Estates General Expanded the bureaucracy Built up French Army to enforce policies Finance Minister > Jean-Baptiste Colbert France became wealthiest state in Europe

Versailles Palace of Versailles > most magnificent building in Europe Home of the King, nobles, officials, etc. Elaborate ceremonies Levee > the rising Nobles were a threat then why house them in your home? Angling for privileges rather than for power Louis XIV > major patron of arts and sciences

Strong State Declines Louis XIV ruled for 72 yrs. > longer than any other monarch His decisions hurt France later on Lots of money spent to finance wars to expand France’s border Rival rulers made alliances to check the balance of power War of Spanish Succession Treaty of Utrecht > France gives up Persecuted Huguenots > Protestants > Revoked Edict of Nantes > Protestants fled > hurt the economy Similar to expulsion of Jews and Muslims from Spain