France under Louis XIV

Henry IV Restores Order In 1500’s France went through religious wars between French Catholics and French Protestants. (called Huguenots) 8/24/1572 St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre thousands of Huguenots massacred Huguenot prince Henry IV becomes King.

Henry IV Fought for 4 years with French Catholics before converting issued Edict of Nantes, granting religious toleration and other freedoms. Rebuilt France for everyone, poor to rich, repaired roads, bridges, buildings and revived agriculture.

Cardinal Richelieu After Henry’s assassination his 9 yr old son becomes King and appoints cardinal as chief minister. He sought to destroy huguenots and nobles and eventually handpicks 5 yr old Louis XIV to be successor.

Louis XIV After years of inexperience and unrest, Louis became an absolute monarch. Took the sun as his symbol of absolute power. Just as Sun is center of universe he is center of their nation.

Strengthens royal power-appointed intendants: who were royal officials who collect taxes, recruit soldiers, and carry out the king’s policies to the provinces. Jean-Baptiste Colbert, finance minister of France and bolsters economy to become Europe’s richest country by imposing mercantilist policies.

Versailles Louis creates a huge palace called Versailles. Became a symbol of Sun Kings power.

Strong State Declines Louis ruled for 72 years. During that time they: Overspent on years of war to expand area. Rivals fought to maintain a balance of powers. Revoked Edict of Nantes, over 100,000 Huguenots left country vastly affecting economy.