1. “I am the State” Age of Absolutism

2. Age of Absolutism: What is it? The Age of Absolutism (~1550-1800) was a period of increased centralization of power. Kings/Queens increased their control. Nobles lost power. It helped to end violence of the Reformation/Counter Reformation. It helped provide stability for the common people

3. Religious Underpinnings The Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter Reformation upset the religious balance in Western Europe and caused many problems. In France, it caused war between the Huguenots (Protestants) and Catholics during the late 1500s.

4. Religious Underpinnings In England, it caused civil war and conflict between the Cavaliers (Anglican/Catholic) and the Roundheads (Puritan) during the late 1600s. From 1618 to 1648, the Thirty Years’ War broke out in Germany, Prussia, and Austria between Catholics and Protestants, decimating the region.

5. France: Example of Absolutism When Henry IV came to power in 1589, he faced the conflict between Protestant Huguenots and Catholics. Henry, a Huguenot, quickly converted to Catholicism to appease the majority Catholic French people.

6. France: Example of Absolutism However, in 1598, he issued the Edict of Nantes which granted Protestants religion freedom. For the final 12 years of his reign, Henry IV set out to use government power to help his country. He set up courts, rebuilt roads, helped with agriculture, and reduced the power of the nobles.

7. France: Example of Absolutism Henry IV was assassinated in 1610 leaving his 10 year old son Louis XIII to rule. Under the young Louis XIII’s reign, he appointed Cardinal Armand Richelieu as his chief minister. Richelieu helped the young king with two major accomplishments: controlling the nobles and the Huguenots.

8. France: Example of Absolutism Richelieu used his military to destroy the nobles’ castles and disband their private armies. He destroyed the walled cities of the Huguenots and disband the Huguenot armies. He then gave nobles high-ranking army posts and allowed the Huguenots to practice their religion.

9. France: Example of Absolutism After Richelieu’s death, his hand-picked successor, Cardinal Jules Mazarin became chief minister. When Louis XIV came to power in 1643 at the age of 5, it was Mazarin who made sure the throne stayed strong. After Mazarin’s death in 1661, Louis XIV assumed full control of France.

10. France: Example of Absolutism Louis XIV’s government attempted to control every aspect of life in France and it’s colonies. Under Financial Minister Jean Baptiste Colbert, France grew very wealthy. Louis XIV built elaborate projects like the Palace of Versailles to show his wealth and power.

11. France: Example of Absolutism When Louis XIV said, “L’etat, c’est moi” or “I am the state,” he could say it with confidence. Due to Louis XIV and his predecessors, the French monarchs gained political and military power until they ruled with complete authority.