1. FrancE
16.2

2. France
Experienced a time of peace in the late 15th century after the 100 Years War
1560s-1590s Religious wars between Huguenots and Catholics
Peace was once again restored after Henry IV took the throne

3. Henry IV Huguenot Prince inherited the throne
Converted to Catholicism to end the conflict
Issued the Edict of Nantes 1598
Granted religious tolerance to the Huguenots
Set out to repair France
Became involved in every aspect of life
Assassinated in 1610

4. Louis XIII & Cardinal Richelieu
9 Year old Louis XIII inherited the throne
Nobles reasserted their power
1624 Louis appointed Cardinal Richelieu as Chief Minister
Spent 18 years centralizing power
Wanted to destroy Huguenots and nobles
Cardinal Mararin appointed as successor to Richelieu
Worked as chief minister for Louis XIV

5. Grandson of Phillip II of Spain
Louis XIV
Inherited the throne in at age 5
Chaos ensued after Louis took the throne
Mazarin died in 1661 and Louis vowed to take complete control of the government
He believed that just as the sun was the center of the universe he was the center of the state
Louis XIV
Grandson of Phillip II of Spain

6. Improving France
Strengthened Royal power by expanding bureaucracy and appointing intendants
Jean-Baptiste Colbert
Mercantilist policies to boost the economy
Cleared lands for farming
Encouraged mining
Built up luxury trade of lacemaking
High tariffs of imported goods
New colonies
Still could not support the huge costs of Louis XIV

7. Decline of France
Louis XIV ruled for 72 years and at the end of his reign France was the strongest state in Europe
Some of his decisions led to the eventual decline of France
Revoked the Edict of Nantes many Huguenots fled
Waged costly wars upsetting the Balance of Power