DUKE OF SULLY (1560 – 1641) Henry IV’s Finance Minister  Eliminated inefficiency and corruption  Still a heavy tax burden on bourgeoisie, peasantry and working class  Reduced nobilities influence in Local affairs  Sent Royal officials Converted to Catholicism and Passed the Edict of Nantes

Son of Henry IV – 10 years old when he became King Marie de Medicis – acted as regent and dismissed Sully – Leaving France with no strong leadership Cardinal Richelieu (1585 – 1642)  Continued Sully’s policy – to reassert royal control over the nobility  Destroyed privileges of Huguenots  30 Years’ War – increased power of France in Europe.

Cardinal Mazarin (1602 – 1661) – took over when Rechelieu died (slang for “slingshot” – used by the boys in the streets of Paris)

 Series of rebellions against royal power – lead by the nobles and the townspeople  WHY????  Authority had been undermined by the Royal Officials  Represented a threat to the crown’s power  Ultimately served to strengthen the crown’s power  The disorder it created showed the people the need for a strong monarchy

Cardinal Mazarin (1602 – 1661) – took over when Rechelieu died (slang for “slingshot” – used by the boys in the streets of Paris)  Began at Mazarin’s death  “L’etat, c’est moi” – “I am the state”  Absolute power  “lettre de cache” – authorized imprisonment or exile without trial  1660 –Married Marie Therese – political

 To limit power of nobility he appointed more middle class  Selling the titles – “nobles of the robe” they undermined “nobility of the sword”  Versailles – King’s residence and center of government  Cost a great deal of money

 Controlled finances under Louis XIV  Expanded government role in the economy  Encouraged industry  Built roads and canals  Nobility and clergy stayed tax exempt  tax burden remained on peasants and lower middle class  Inadequacy of financial system was a major weak spot

 GALLICANISM  Louis XIV exercised administrative control over the church in France  REVOCATION OF THE EDICT OF NANTES  Louis XIV believed in Religious unity  200,000 Huguenots fled causing economic problems – France was deprived of their knowledge and skills

THE WAR OF DEVOLUTION ( )  France was awarded several towns on the border of the Spanish Netherlands THE DUTCH WAR (1672 – 1678)  France gained several additional towns along the border of the Spanish Netherlands THE WAR OF THE LEAGUE OF AUGSBURG (9 YEARS’ WAR) – (1688 – 1697)  France lost most of its prior gains, but kept Alsace

 Louis XIV – claimed his grandson Philip of Anjou was heir to the Spanish throne  Hapsburg Holy Roman Emperor Leopold challenged – claiming the throne was for his son Charles  England, Holland & Holy Roman Emperor joined forces against France

 Philip of Anjou became King Philip V of Spain  Neither he nor his successors could occupy the French throne  France lost a number of colonies in the New World, but kept Quebec