Louis XIV—the Grand Monarch

Our objectives are: In what ways was Cardinal Richelieu the de facto ruler of France? Identify the main conflict of the Fronde and its later effect on Louis XIV choice of residence Assess the ways the Colbert strengthen France’s financial matters What was the greatest flaw in Louis’ reign? You will know what was meant by Louis XIV saying “I am the State.”

Louis XIV was the Grandson of Henri IV— the king who restored France after the religious wars. Remember, Henri IV converted to Catholicism (Paris is worth a Mass) and wanted this for his people...

A chicken in every pot.

After Henri was assassinated by Raviallic—he left a young son. Louis XIII.

Louis XIII and his famous Cardinal, Richelieu, ruled France—though Richelieu had great influence.

At this time, there were many rebellions against royal authority—this was the time of the Three Musketeers, whose job it was to protect the King’s interests.

There was even a brief protestant rebellion at La Rochelle on the French Coast. Richelieu made sure the Protestants were defeated.

Richelieu also supported the Protestants against the Catholic Hapsburgs in the Thirty Years War.

Louis XIII died when his son was only 5 years old. This son was technically a king—but when a king is very young, he does not take power right away. What is this called?

A Regency

Louis’ mother, Anne of Austria, and Cardinal Mazarin (who had succeeded Richelieu) did their best to prepare Louis for his role.

As a boy, Louis was a beautiful child. He was educated to be an absolute monarch.

During this time, which corresponded with the English Civil War, the main parlement of France—the Paris Parlement demanded more rights, just as the English did!.

Note: Remember, England had one parlement—but France had several local parlements. This was a great weakness in French government.

When the Parlement tried to establish independence, Mazarin had the members of the Paris Parlement arrested. The nobles revolted against Mazarin’s power.

This revolt was called the “Fronde”: The Fronde consisted of three revolts: one by the lower and middle classes against heavy taxation, a second by the nobles to increase their political power, and a third by the officeholders to protect their position.

Louis would always remember the nobles who threatened his mother and him.

After Mazarin died, Louis took power. He loved being king.

He never had any privacy—and was always on ceremonial display. His aides would even converse with him about state matters as he sat on the toilet!

He disciplined his thoughts and feelings. He worked hard and met with his ministers to improve France’s economy and well-being.

He had an able finance minister, Colbert.

In fact, when Cardinal Mazarin was dying, legend has it that he said, “I am leaving France something more than wealth—I am leaving it Colbert.

Together, Louis XIV and Colbert worked hard to support trade and state businesses.

Tax collections were reformed. An intendent system (like our state governors) was used to govern France. It was much more efficient, and this system lasted until the French Revolution.

Intendents had broad powers. They were expected to be faithful to the wishes of the King. They re-enforced the idea of absolutism.

They attempted to build up France’s wealth from within —for a short time, France became very wealthy.

But regulations and lack of free trade eventually stunted France’s strong economic growth.

Initially, many countries bought from France. But France bought little from other countries. These countries, because no one was buying from them, grew poorer. They had no more money to spend, and, as a result, France’s economy stagnated. This is the secret of FREE TRADE.

Louis took France’s wealth from Colbert’s careful savings and squandered it on two things: Can you guess what those two were?

Versailles

And War...

In Louis’ personal life, he had mistresses. But when he reached his forties, he repented of his infidelity and returned to the queen.

After the Queen’s death, he married (morganically) Madame de Maintenon.

The War of Spanish Succession and deaths in the royal family, broke Louis. He died in The Grande Monarch, whose wars caused so much death, was resented for his pursuit of glory.

But as time passed--- he was seen as a king who ground France into the dust, only to give it great glory.

His famous words: L’est c’est moi, ring down the centuries.

I am the state.

Our objectives were: In what ways was Cardinal Richelieu the de facto ruler of France? Identify the main conflict of the Fronde and its later effect on Louis XIV choice of residence Assess the ways the Colbert strengthened France’s financial matters What was the greatest flaw in Louis’ reign? You will know what was meant by Louis XIV saying, “I am the State.”