3.0 KiB
{} Before Louis
-- Henry IV Brings Peace --
Reformed France - In doing so, expanded his influence into every part of French life - Drained swamps, built or restored roads and bridges - Removed corrupt or incompetent officials - Reclaimed lands that had been taken by nobility, strictly collected taxes - Reduced noble influence, thereby extending his own
-- Cardinal Richelieu --
Henry IV was assassinated, leaving the throne to Louis XIII, who was 9 - Cardinal Richelieu became the chief minister, set to work strengthening the King's power - In escennce, he ruled France from 1624 to 1642 - Took away power from the nobles, increased their dependence on the king - Sent out indentants - 1641 - An edict took away the independent power of the parlements
-- Cardinal Mazarin --
Louis XIV inherited the throne at only 5 years old in 1643 Cardinal Mazarin picked up where Richelieu had left off (died in 1642) - Continued to advice Louis XIV after he came of age - Helped the throne gain power by establishing an efficient administration
{} Louis XIV
-- The "Sun King" --
Louis took power at the age of 23 Believed that he had a divine right to rule - Claimed the sun as his symbol - Absolute power in war, peace, religion, and economy - "I'etat, c'est moi - I am the state" - Images of the sun were found everywhere Goals - Make the monarchy powerful, but give nobles influence locally - Never once called the Estates General - Built the strongest army in Europe - Appointed intendants - Collected taxes, recruited soldiers, carried out policy - Middle class, loyal families
-- Jean-Baptiste Colbert --
Raised to finance minister - Taxes helped financed the king's wars and lifestyle - Utilized mercantilism - Used tarrifs to protect domestic industry - Built up luxury goods industry in France - Encouraged emigration to New France, source of raw materials Brought great wealth, not enough to outweigh huge expenses
-- Building Versailles --
Began as a royal hunting lodge Louis XIV transformed it to the most opulent palace in France - Made it the seat of government - Symbolized his wealth and power - Daily life revolved around him like planets around the sun = Immortalized himself as various Greek and Roman gods Rituals like the levee kept nobles competing for power - These rituals were the only time many nobles got to make their requests of the king
-- Louis XIV's reign --
72 year reign made France the most powerful country in Europe Louis tried to expand France's borders and influence - Other countries came together to keep the balance of power - Made several alliances against France - War of the Spanish Succession, they prevented the unification of France and Spain with the Grand Alliance
-- Long Reign and the Ugly Side of Louis XIV --
Renewed persecution of the Huguenots - 1685: revoked the Edict of Nantes - 100,000 Huguenots left France - Lost many skilled workers and prosperous subjects - A blow to the French economy and France's reputation