THE RISE OF ABSOLUTISM IN FRANCE “L’etat, c’est moi (I am the state)” –Louis XIV

THE RISE OF ABSOLUTISM IN FRANCE Louis XIII Cardinal Richelieu Louis XIII died in 1643 Louis XIV crowned in 1643 reduced power of nobility restricted local authorities Richelieu’s spies uncovered series of planned revolts Punishments were severe, including death for treason wanted to reduce power of Huguenots, strengthen monarchy Punished Nobles

THE RISE OF ABSOLUTISM IN FRANCE

Absolutism was created under Cardinal Richelieu who secularized France and fostered loyalty to the French state Cardinal Richelieu centralized power by alienating the nobility The greatest threat to the monarchy was the nobility Monarchs created standing armies for the first time

BUILDING ABSOLUTISM Young Louis XIV Cardinal Mazarin Louis XIV becomes king at young age, with mother as regent Cardinal Mazarin chief minister provided advice Louis raised to be king, taught skills needed from childhood Rise of the Sun King Young king supremely confident in ability to rule When Mazarin died, 18-year-old Louis declared he would run government himself – takes reigns of government in 1661 “I am the state,” he declared Confident in Ability to Rule

RULE OF LOUIS XIV Absolute Monarchy Louis XIV retained absolute power – Declared Divine Right Rule Began tradition of absolute monarchy to last more than century Demanded to be in charge of all military, political, economic initiatives

RULE OF LOUIS XIV Versailles Central Government Drew power to himself, deprived nobles of influence Built palace outside Paris at Versailles; demanded nobles visit and live there Nobles gained prestige being servants at Versailles court, not by fighting Additionally, Louis urged nobles to develop expensive new habits of dressing, dining, and gambling As nobles grew poorer, had to depend on king’s generosity just to survive

RULE OF LOUIS XIV Versailles Versailles was a grand spectacle of kingly power Louis XIV’s style, ceremony emphasized political strength Practically every moment of king’s day required rituals by bowing courtiers –Eating, dressing, walking in garden, all required a ritual –Louis always knew who had given what he considered proper attention

Palace of Versailles

Versailles Grande Gallerie Daily routines at Versailles were exploited by Louis XIV The nobility competed against each other to perform menial tasks for the king

RULE OF LOUIS XIV Louis XIV chose the sun as his personal symbol, implying that the world revolved around him. He thus became known as the Sun King. He was God’s representative on Earth!

ABSOLUTISM IN FRANCE  Dependant on many advisors & bureaucrats  Louis devoted himself to helping France attain economic, political, and cultural brilliance. He appointed a minister of finance, Jean Baptiste Colbert. Colbert helped Louis to establish goals for the country such as mercantilism. Pinnacle of power, wealth, prestige Overseas exploration & expansion – New World, Africa, SE Asia Cultural & intellectual leader – Art, Fashion, Cuisine, Philosophy

In October 1685, Louis XIV signed the Edict of Fontainebleau which repealed the Edict of Nantes. It banned Protestant worship and the emigration of Protestants. Pastors were banished. The Edict was made up of 12 articles : 1 – the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1598), signed by Henri IV, and the Edict of Nîmes (1629), signed by Louis XIII, so, consequently, the demolition of all the churches that were still standing. 2 and 3 – worship of the alleged Reformed Church was banned, including among the lords. 4 – the banishment, within two weeks, of pastors who did not want to convert – on pain of the galleys. 5 and 6 – inducements to get pastors to convert : life pensions and vocational retraining in the legal profession. 7 – ban on Protestant schools. 8 – obligation on members of the Reformed Church to have their children baptised and educated in the Catholic faith. 9 – confiscation of the possessions of Reformed Church members who had already gone abroad, unless they came back within a period of 4 months. 10 – ban on members of the Reformed Church emigrating – on pain of the galleys for men and prison for women. 11 – punishment of “new converts” who went back to Protestantism. 12 – permission for those who had not yet converted to reside in France, so long as they complied with the rules previously mentioned.

Mind map: Absolutism Reading: , , 543