1. Age of Absolutism
How do these films/stories fit into Absolutism?

2. Absolutism’s Causes
Many religious wars were fought between Catholics and Protestants
St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre - slaughter of French Protestants (Huguenots) – Nobles included
Absolutism- Belief by kings and queens that it was their DIVINE RIGHT to control every aspect of society.
Religious wars, exploration – needed centralized control

3. Henry IV (Bourbon) Was, in effect the ruler of France
Increased power of the Monarchy
weakened the rights of Huguenots
tried to weaken the power of the nobles by ordering their castles torn down
Increased the power of government agents - who were from the middle class
Involved France in the 30 years war to try to defeat the Hapsburgs and make France the most powerful nation in Europe

4. The Thirty Years War
· Fought in the Holy Roman Empire (Germany: )
· Divided by religion
North was Protestant
South was Catholic
1/4th to1/3rd of the population died.
War ends with the Peace of Westphalia
France gains territory in Spain and Germany
Hapsburgs lost most of their power
Germany divided into 360 separate states

5. Louis XIII & Richelieu
After Henry’s death, his son Louis XIII becomes king
Louis XIII
Gained the throne at the age of 9.
He was a weak and sickly king who appointed a strong minister - Cardinal Richelieu

6. Cardinal Richelieu Believed in the Divine Right of Kings.
Kings had no one to answer to but God
Put the kings at the highest spot of social ladder, even above the Pope.
Under Richelieu:
1. Monarchy (King/Queen) gained absolute control.
2. The nobility was brought under the control of the king.
3. France became a world power.

7. The Three Musketeers
The novel/movie The Three Musketeers revolves around the musketeers trying to stop the plans of the over powering …Cardinal Richelieu
In the 1993 Disney movie, the Cardinal tends to be a bit more ruthless and self-serving

8. Louis XIV
After Louis XIII and Richelieu, comes the most powerful ruler in French history - Louis XIV
His philosophy-“I am the State”
Claimed Divine Right of Kings
Louis believed the destiny of France revolved around him the way the earth revolves around the Sun.
“Sun King”

9. The Reign of Louis XIV
Becomes King at the age of 5 (1643)
Actually begins to rule in 1661
Louis XIV symbolized the true absolute monarch. “I am the State”
Absolutism blueprint:
Believed in mercantilism; Colbert
Used middle class intendants, instead of nobles to run gov’t
constantly used wars to promote France’s power
Required nobles to reside in palace
When Louis XIV died in 1715 he left a legacy of absolute rule, social unrest, and economic debt that would lead to revolution

10. The Palace of Versailles
Took 47 years to build
The cost may have exceeded 100 million dollars.
Versailles had enough rooms to house 10,000 people.
Was built during a time when many French people did not have shelter or enough to eat

11. Wars of Louis XIV and Death
War of Spanish Succession - Louis’ grandson, Philip, becomes King of Spain
The people believed this gave the Bourbon Dynasty too much power, and war erupted
Other European join together to try to limit the power of France
1713 -Treaty of Utrecht -Philip was allowed to remain King of Spain as long as the thrones of France and Spain were not united
Louis died in prompting great celebration throughout France

12. Louis & The Man in the Iron Mask
Leonardo DiCaprio plays Louis in movie version of The Man and the Iron Mask
The book/movie address the legend that Louis kept someone hidden away in a dungeon for years
The book/movie indicates that the man in the dungeon is Louis’ twin brother and the Louis put him there so he could have sole power

13. While viewing clips from Iron Mask...
Take out a piece of paper and put your name on it.
Write and Describe instances in the film which show Louis XIV (Dicaprio) as a Absolute Ruler.
What types of things does he do that show he feels he is the supreme authority?