1. Absolutism in France By: Mr. Moore using contributions by Susan Pojer
High School of Economics & Finance NYC, NY

2. How Well Did Absolutism Allow France’s Monarchs to Reach Their Goals in the Seventeenth Century?
Goals of the French monarchy
The reign of Henry IV
Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu create the framework of the absolute monarchy
Cardinal Mazarin reaps the rewards of Richelieu’s policies and perpetuates absolute rule
Louis XIV as the epitome of the absolute monarch
Limits of absolute power

3. Goals of the French Absolute Monarchs and Their Advisors
Centralize political control in the monarchy, taking power away from the high nobility
Reduce the national debt
Expand and secure France’s borders

4. Henry IV: Bringing France Out of Religious Conflict into National Unification
Possessed a chameleon-like personality: soldier, courtier, administrator, learned leader, and a man of the people
Had the Estates General meet infrequently – four times
Surrounded himself with capable advisors – especially the duke of Sully
Assassinated before he could squander the gains

5. Richelieu Builds the Foundation of the Absolute Monarchy
Ended political and military power of Huguenots
Created intendants to oversee tax collection
Created a powerful royal navy
Followed a foreign policy in the Thirty Years’ War that saw Spain lose its influence, and France increase its power
Louis XIII
Cardinal Richelieu

6. Mazarin: Reaps the Rewards of Richelieu’s Efforts – Continuing to Build an Absolute Monarchy
Secured favorable terms with the Treaty of Westphalia – 1648 and the Peace of the Pyreness
Able to end the Fronde –
Kept the monarchy together until Louis XIV was old enough to assume direct control
Cardinal Mazarin

7. The Reign of Louis XVI: Solidifying Absolute Rule
Young Louis XIV

8. Versailles: Central Element and Image of the Monarchy
Hall of Mirrors

9. King by Divine Right
Bishop Jacques-Benigne Bossuet

10. Louis Centralizes His Power Over Religion
“One king, one law, one faith”
Francoise d’Aubigne, Madame de Maintenon

11. Limits of Louis’s Absolute Rule
Dependant on many advisors & bureaucrats
Compromised with vested interests
Many old privileges & customs continued to exist