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Should a political leader make personal sacrifices for success of his or her country?

Should a political leader make personal sacrifices for success of his or her country? What sacrifices should be expected if you become a head of state?. The Age of Absolutism 1648-1763. What does the term ABSOLUTE mean? unlimited and pure So absolutism means:

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Should a political leader make personal sacrifices for success of his or her country?

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  1. Should a political leader make personal sacrifices for success of his or her country? What sacrifices should be expected if you become a head of state?

  2. The Age of Absolutism1648-1763 • What does the term ABSOLUTE mean? • unlimited and pure • So absolutism means: • The rule of absolute monarchs • Who were rulers that had complete control of their countries.

  3. You Never Know…. • What issues have caused a great deal of controversy in the United States in the last few years? • It’s a bit crazy to think about the implications these decisions could have on our history!

  4. Lets Start with the French! • The Valois Dynasty ruled France but its control was tenuous: • Henry II died (1559), leaving four sons, three of which ruled France for a very short period of time. • Henry II’s wife, Catherine de Medici, was the true head of France. • She made all important decisions, despite the fact her son’s were the actual monarchs.

  5. French Civil War…. • France was split between the Protestants (Huguenots) and Catholics. • The two most powerful families (after the Valois) were the Bourbons and the Guises. • The Bourbons were Protestant • The Guises were Catholic • Both wanted to take over control of the French monarchy • The hatred between these two families sparked many civil wars between 1562 and 1589. • St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre (Aug. 24th, 1572) • Protestants were dragged in to the streets of Paris and killed • Killing went on for a month all over France – 12,000 Protestants were killed. • Catherine de Medici contributed (or even started) to the massacre by plotting the assassination of her son’s (Charles IX) closest advisor (the Admiral de Coligny) who was a Protestant.

  6. Blood thicker than Water? • French nobility was split on who to support. • It appeared that Catholicism would prevail! • Spain’s Phillip II supported the Guise family with military support • Inside the borders of France! • Frenchmen of all religions felt a nationalistic urge for unity • Politiques – desired peace for France • Catherine De Medici died in 1589 • Henry III ordered the death of the Duke of Guise and his brother to protect his throne. • A Dominican Friar named Jacques Clement stabbed Henry III to death.

  7. Henry of Navarre • Henry IV of Navarre eventually took the throne of France. • Henry had it all – he was hansom, brave, strong, and decisive. • He was also a Protestant, as he was the head of the House of Bourbon. • But, to save his life, he had pretended to be Catholic during the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. • To heal his war-torn country, Henry converted to Catholicism. • Edict of Nantes – Huguenots could worship in peace everywhere but in Paris • Rather than continue to fight the nobles who disagreed with him, he paid them off • He made the economy of France more efficient and helped to create a surplus in the treasury. • He wanted to make France so prosperous that every peasant would have a chicken in the pot.

  8. BUT! • He had his marriage to his wife (a Valois) annulled. He married Marie de Medici • They had 6 children. Their first son was Louis XIII • He also fathered 8 more illegitimate children with a variety of mistresses! • Does it matter? • Despite the peace he brought to France, he was killed by a fanatic, who stabbed him to death in 1610. • Louis XIII was 9 when he became king!

  9. The Cardinal that Would be King • Cardinal Richelieu was appointed to be the advisor for Henry’s son, Louis XIII, who was only 9 when he became king • Richelieu became the effective leader of France • He wanted to consolidate the power of the Bourbon house and make France the strongest country in Europe • He had three things he thought weakened France • Virtual independence of the Huguenot cities • Revoked the privilege to worship freely • The power of the nobility • Had government officials from the middle class (intendants) who were loyal to the King • There was no need for the nobility’s military or politics (BEGINNING OF ABSOLUTE MONARCHS!) • The danger of invasion from Austria • 30 Years War

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