1. The Reign of Louis XIV
Chapter 21, Section 2

2. Essential Questions: What were the origins of the Bourbon dynasty?
How did religious differences in France lead to conflict
How did Louis XIV consolidate power in order to become the absolute ruler of France?
What was the legacy of Louis XIV?

3. Religious Wars and Power Struggles
Henry of Navarre
Henry, who was a French Calvinist (Huguenot) ascends to French throne in 1589 and converts to Catholicism ending the religious wars.
Becomes Henry IV- the first king of the Bourbon Dynasty
Issues Edict of Nantes—a declaration of religious toleration- designed to heal the religious divisions that existed within France
Henry IV- Was unfortunately stabbed and killed by a religious fanatic in 1610

4. Religious Wars and Power Struggles
Louis XIII was a weak king, but :
Appoints Cardinal Richelieu in 1624 as minister who rules France. He was ambitious and enjoyed his authority.
Increases power of the Bourbons by limiting Huguenots’ freedom
Also weakens power of the nobility by having them take down their fortified castles. He also relied upon government agents from the middle class rather than from the nobility.
He also involved France in the Thirty Years War in order to thwart Habsburg power (but more on that later…)

5. Picture of Louis XIII, oh la la….

6. Writers Turn Toward Skepticism
A New Attitude
Skepticism—the idea that nothing can be known for certain. It resulted from those who were horrified by groups that claimed to be the only ones with a correct set of doctrines.
Montaigne and Descartes
Montaigne explores ideas about life’s meaning in essays.
Descartes uses observation and reason to create new philosophy and help develop scientific method.

7. Louis XIV Comes to Power
A New French Ruler
Louis XIV was the most powerful ruler in French history, calling himself the Sun King
Louis the Boy King (age 5)
Hatred of Cardinal Mazarin, Louis’ minister while he was a boy, lead to riots, mainly from the nobility. It was referred to as the Time of the Fronde ( ). Louis felt humiliated by the nobility.
As a result, Louis grew up hating the nobility, determined to consolidate all power unto himself

8. Louis Weakens the Nobles Authority
After Cardinal Mazarin died, Louis took control of the government in 1661 at the age of 22 years old.
He appointed intendants—government agents—to collect taxes (taking this power out of the hands of the nobility).
Louis took the sun as the symbol of his absolute power and was often quoted as saying, “L’etat, c’est moi”—“I am the state.” He believed just like the sun everything revolved around him.
During his 72-year reign, Louis did not once call a meeting of the Estates General.

9. Estates General Estates General
Similar to Parliament, but not a standing body
Representatives from each of the 3 classes of French society
1st Estate - Clergy
2nd Estate – Nobles
3rd Estate – Everyone else
bourgeoisie, artists, farmers, Peasants, city workers

10. Economics Economic Growth
Jean Baptiste Colbert—finance minister—helps the economy grow. He believes in mercantilism (the idea that France could be self-sufficient through manufacturing its own goods and creating high tariffs on imported goods).
In 1685, Louis cancels Edict of Nantes; Huguenots flee France, including thousands of artisans and business people.
This robbed France of many skilled workers.

11. The Sun King’s Grand Style
A Life of Luxury
Louis lives very well, with every meal a feast.
Louis Controls the Nobility
Louis keeps nobles at palace to increase his power over them.
Builds magnificent palace at Versailles
Patronage of the Arts
Versailles is a center of arts during reign of Louis XIV
Purpose of the arts is to glorify Louis

12. France Palace of Versailles pictures
Louis turned a hunting lodge into a ¼ mile 1300 room Palace.
As many as 10,000 people lived there (keep your friends close and your enemies closer!)
Used Palace as a way of lessening the power of the nobles
The palace was proof of his absolute power
In 2003, it cost an estimated $2.5 billion to build
Levee ceremony

13. Panoramic view of Versailles Palace

14. Another view of Versailles Palace

15. The Versailles Palace Today

16. Drawing of Versailles from above

17. Queen’s Bed Chamber

24. Louis Fights Disastrous Wars
Attempts to Expand France’s Boundaries
Louis fights wars in the 1660s and 1670s to expand France.
1667-Invades Spanish Netherlands (successful).
1672-Invades Dutch Netherlands (not as successful).
In 1680s, fearing Louis’ growing power, many countries unite against him in League of Augsburg
France is weakened by poor harvests, warfare, and high taxes.

25. Louis Fights Disastrous Wars
War of Spanish Succession
Cause:
Spain’s Habsburg king, Charles II, dies with no heir. He promises his throne to Louis XIV’s grandson. Now the two greatest powers in Europe were now ruled by the French Bourbons
Other countries felt threatened by this increase in Bourbon power
War of Spanish Succession begins in 1701
This war attempts to prevent the union of the French and Spanish throne.
War ends in 1714; France and Spain lose some possessions; Great Britain and Austria gain territories

26. Louis Fights Disastrous Wars
Louis’s Death and Legacy
Louis dies leaving mixed legacy
Rule makes France a major military and cultural power in Europe
His wars and palace leave France with heavy debts.
He creates a lifestyle which following French kings could not sustain.

27. France SUCCESSES FAILURES Louis greatly strengthened royal power.
The French army became the strongest in Europe.
France became the wealthiest state in Europe.
French culture, manners, and customs became the European standard.
The arts flourished in France.
Louis engaged in costly wars that had disastrous results.
Rival rulers joined forces to check French ambitions.
Louis persecuted the Huguenots, causing many to flee France. Their departure was a huge blow to the French economy.