1. Absolutism
Chapter 16

2. France
1560s-1590s = Catholic Majority vs. French Protestants/Huguenots
St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre
Catholic Holiday
Catholic royals massacre 3k Huguenots
Many more killed in the days following

3. Succession Henry IV - Huguenot prince that inherits the throne
Converts to Catholicism to bring peace
Edict of Nantes
Grants religious toleration and freedoms to Huguenots

4. Henry's Government Repair infrastructure Improve agriculture
Lessen the influence of nobles

5. Succession 1610- assassinated Louis XIII (9 yr. old) takes over
Nobles regain power

6. Cardinal Richelieu 1624 - appointed Chief Minister
Wanted to destroy power of nobles and Huguenots
Destroyed fortified defenses of both
Tied nobles to the king by giving them positions within the gov't and military
chose Cardinal Mazarin as successor

7. Louis XIV 1643 - inherits the throne at 5 yrs old 1661 - Mazarin dies
Fronde - a revolt of nobles, merchants, peasants, and urban poor against absolute power
Mazarin dies

8. Louis XIV Louis never called a meeting of the Estates General
appointed intendants = royal officials
-given to members of the middle class to check the powers of the nobles and church
built up the French army

9. Jean-Baptiste Colbert
finance minister
Cleared new lands for agriculture
Encouraged industry and mining
Built up luxury trades
Uses tariffs and trade regulation to boost revenues

10. Palace of Versailles Housed nobles, gov't officials, and servants
Rich gardens and halls
Levee - "rising" daily ceremony in his bedroom
People fought to serve him

11. Decline of French State
Balance of power - check the economic and military powers of European countries
War and luxuries drained finances
Philip V inherits Spanish thrown
grandson of Louis XIV
War of Spanish Succession
Treaty of Utrecht
Agree not to unite Spanish and French crowns
1685 revoked Edict of Nantes
Loss of workforce