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The Reign of Louis XIV

The Reign of Louis XIV. Religious Wars and Power Struggles. Between 1652 and 1598, Huguenots (French Protestants) & Catholics fought 8 religious wars In 1589, Henry IV king – Huguenot & 1 st Bourbon king G ave up his Protestantism and became a Catholic “ P aris is well worth a mass.”

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The Reign of Louis XIV

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  1. The Reign of Louis XIV

  2. Religious Wars and Power Struggles • Between 1652 and 1598, Huguenots (French Protestants) & Catholics fought 8 religious wars • In 1589, Henry IV king – Huguenot& 1stBourbon king • Gave up his Protestantism and became a Catholic • “Paris is well worth a mass.” • 1598 Edict of Nantes - religious tolerance to Huguenots • Henry rebuilt France, made it prosperous, and strengthened the monarchy • He was stabbed to a death in 1610 by a religious fanatic

  3. Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu • Louis XIII, becomes king (son of Henry) • Weak king - strong minister, Cardinal Richelieu • Richelieu basically rules France • Richelieu 2 steps increase monarchs power • Restricted Huguenots (no walls) so they couldn’t defy the king • Weakened power of the nobles • No fortified castles • Gave government jobs to middle class people • Wanted France to be strongest state in Europe • Led to involvement in Thirty Years’ War

  4. Louis XIV Comes to Power • The strengthening of the French monarchy led most powerful ruler in French history – Louis XIV - 1643 • Louis XIV believed that he and the state were one and the same • “L’etat, c’est moi” = “I am the state” • Liked to be called the Sun King because all power radiated from him

  5. Louis XIV said, “L’etat, c’est moi”

  6. Louis, the Boy King • King @ 4 – country ruled byCardinal Mazarin- replaced Cardinal Richelieu • Nobles hated Mazarin - he increased taxes and strengthened the central government • Nobles rebelled and threatened Mazarin and Louis • Rebellion failed when peasants and townspeople got tired of fighting and disorder • They preferred the oppression of an absolute king to the chaos

  7. Louis Weakens the Nobles’ Authority • Mazarin died - Louis took control • Excluded nobles from his councils (weaker) • Increased the power of the intendants, who collected taxes and administered justice • Intendants were like “civil servants”; appointed by king: collect taxes, administer justice & make sure his rule was being followed all over France • He made sure that intendants communicated with him regularly

  8. Economic Growth • Louis wanted France to be economically, politically, and culturally strong • Minister of finance, Jean Baptiste Colbert, believed in mercantilism • Wanted France to keep its wealth by being self-sufficient, rather than relying on imports • Helped expand manufacturing • Placed high tariff (tax) on imported goods • Recognized importance of colonies for raw materials and market for French goods • Fur trade from Canada

  9. Economic Growth • After Colbert’s death, Louis canceled the Edict of Nantes, which protected religious freedom for Huguenots • Thousands of Huguenot artisans and business people left France • France was left without many of its skilled workers • Economic progress was slowed • Who does that remind of you of?

  10. The Sun King’s Grand Style • Louis spent a fortune surrounding himself with luxury • Built the huge palace at Versailles near Paris • Palace was 500 yards long • Ornate decoration and furnishings • Intended to clearly show Louis’s wealth and power

  11. Louis Controls the Nobility • Louis required hundreds of nobles to live at Versailles • They were kept busy with elaborate rituals surrounding Louis • The Levée • Increased royal authority in two ways: • Made the nobility dependent on Louis • Took them away from their homes so the intendants had more power • Kept them under Louis watchful eye

  12. Patronage of the Arts • Versailles was a center of arts • Louis made opera and ballet more popular • Most famous writer – Moliere • Wrote comedies • Louis supported the arts as a way to glorify the king and promote values that supported his absolute rule

  13. Louis Fights Disastrous Wars • France - most powerful country in Europe • Invaded the Spanish Netherlands, but he only gained a small region • Continued to fight but other countries built alliance against him • A poor harvest, high taxes to finance the wars, and constant warfare brought suffering to the people of France

  14. War of Spanish Succession • In 1700, king of Spain dies with no heir • He promised the throne to Louis XIV’s grandson, Philip • Spain & France were enemies - now both French Bourbon ruled • Other countries joined together to stop it unifying of France & Spain • Led to the long War of Spanish Succession

  15. War of Spanish Succession • War lasted until 1714 • Ended w/ Treaty of Utrecht Louis’s grandson remain king of Spain, but thrones Spain & France could not be united • British came out of the war w/ Gibraltar (fortress controlling the Mediterranean) Ability send African slaves to the Spanish colonies in the Americas French territories in North America

  16. Louis’s Death and Legacy • Died in 1715 after 72 years of rule • Positive legacy: • France was a great power • Leader in European art and literature • Military leader of Europe • Had a strong empire of colonies • Negative legacy: • Left huge debt from wars and building Versailles • Resentment by the poor over taxes and Louis’s abuse of power eventually led to revolution

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