French Monarchs: The Bourbon Dynasty

1. French Monarchs: The Bourbon Dynasty

2. Religious War and Henry IV Soon after Protestant Reformation began in Germany, it spread to France • 1560s, one in ten French was Huguenot, French Calvinist Protestant • Many noble families Huguenots • Large number of Protestants threatened Catholic French monarchy • Monarchy thought all should share “one king, one law, one religion” • Religious conflict a challenge to absolute monarchy

3. Henry IV Massacre • Henry of Navarre denied his religion, escaped death • Later in line to be king, but as Huguenot had to fight Catholic troops to claim throne • 1593, won acceptance by converting to Catholicism • Crowned as Henry IV • Explained conversion by saying, “Paris is well worth a mass.” • In France fighting broke out between Catholics and Huguenots • 1572, Catholic queen of France ordered Huguenots in Paris killed • Assassins started with nobles in city for Henry of Navarre’s wedding • Event became known as Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre • Violence spread; final Huguenot death toll up to 70,000 Conflict and a New King

4. Religious Wars • St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre • Huguenots slaughtered by Catholics • Catherine de Medici’s daughter marring Huguenot prince – Henry of Navarre • Most nobles died, Henry survives • Henry IV – Had to Rebuild France • Pressured into converting to Catholicism • Tries to help France more • Edict of Nantes • “Declared Huguenots could live in peace in France” • Some liked him (peace) some didn’t (religion) • Assassinated – Stabbed in a carriage

5. Henry IV of Navarre—1588 to 1610 • Became King of France after King Henry III dies. • Henry was part of a new royal family---House of Bourbon • A Protestant, he changed religions twice. Once from Catholic to Protestant and then to become King of France from Protestant to Catholic. • Passed the Edict of Nantes that made Catholicism the official religion of France, but allowed for toleration of Protestants • Only no Protestant services were allowed in Paris • Strengthened and centralized the power of the monarchy • Introduced monopolies, the corvee-labor tax, and expanded canals • Henry IV was assassinated in 1610 leaving his nine year old son, Louis XIII, to become King of France

6. Compromise • Henry knew compromise needed to restore peace • Edict of Nantes in 1598; gave Huguenots limited freedom of worship • Also, right to hold office, rule in 200 cities where in majority • Subjects no longer had to follow religion of throne; for French Catholics, ended religious wars, but Catholicism official religion • Progress • Henry IV then focused on repairing war-torn country • Improved financial situation, eliminated debt, built up surplus • Created new industries, encouraged agriculture, stimulated trade, drained swamps, built canals, roads • Became one of France’s most respected monarchs

7. Henry IV helped increase the power of the FrenchMonarchy 1. He built a powerful nationalarmy 2. He improved the royalcourts 3. He encouragedtrade because it allowed him to collect more taxes

8. Henry IV

9. The King is Dead • Henry was assassinated in 1610 by a “crazed fanatic” (Francois Ravaillac) • Queen-regent Marie de Medici ruled for their son Louis XIII • Feudal lords and princes began to assert control • Marie appointed Cardinal Richelieu to the council of ministers in 1624

10. Louis XIII

11. The Foundation of Absolutism in France • Absolutism in France began with Louis XIV’s father, Louis XIII and his chief adviser, Cardinal Richelieu. • Richelieu was the one who laid the foundation for absolutism while Louis XIII was still a child. • As his regent, Richelieu worked to secularize the country. • Even though he was a Catholic priest, Richelieu’s first loyalty was to the crown of France.

13. Cardinal Richelieu • Richelieu adhered to the maxim that "the ends justify the means." • Although he devoutly believed in the mission of the Roman Church, he sought to assign the church a more practical role. • Richelieu argued that the state is above everything, and that religion is a mere instrument to promote the policies of the state.

14. Cardinal Richelieu • Cardinal Richelieu became the most powerful person in France, in part because Louis was a weak king and in part because Richelieu was so strong. • He had control of almost every facet of French politics, from the daily activities of the court to foreign policy and affairs. • His dual role as head of the church in France and Prime Minister, allowed him to control the direction of the government.

15. Cardinal Richelieu • The historian and philosopher John Ralston Saul has called the Cardinal, “ Father of the modern nation-state, modern centralized power, and the modern secret service”. • Richelieu wrote: “Harshness towards individuals who flout the laws and commands of the state is for the public good; no greater crime against the public interest is possible than to show leniency to those who violate it.”

17. Things Richilieu did to create French Absolutism • Challenged and alienated the French nobility • Leveled castles, crushed conspiracies • Divided the country into 32 districts with controlling royal indentant in order to weaken the power of the regional nobility • Indentants were: drawn from upper middle class and minor nobility; given extensive powers justice, police and finance; appointed directly by the crown to ensure loyalty and that royal orders were followed

18. Richelieu’s Domestic Policies • Main Goal = total subordination to the monarchy • Leveled castles (to put down feudal symbols of independence) • Dealt with threats (duke of Montmorency, Godson of Henry IV) • Divided France into 32 generalites (districts) • Appointed royal commissioners (intendants) • Not locals from the district • Became the eyes and ears of the king

19. Strengthening the Monarchy • Louis XIII saw this as “a state within a state” and called for a unification of faith • Battle ensues- La Rochelle (1628)---Going After the Huguenot towns… • Protestant district with ties to the English and Dutch • The city fell and the Catholic liturgy was reinstated • First mass was celebrated by Cardinal Richelieu himself

20. The Siege of La Rochelle

21. Like Henry IV, Richelieu sought to increase the power of the FrenchMonarchy 1. He suspended the Huguenots rights to have armedtowns a. They were still free to worship 2. He had all fortifiedcastles belonging to noblesdestroyed 3. He supported mercantilism and encouraged entrepreneurs 4. He allowed merchants to purchase titles of nobility

22. Punishing Nobles Fighting Catholics • Richelieu’s spies uncovered series of planned revolts • Punishments were severe • Richelieu had three prominent nobles publicly executed for treason • As chief minister, Richelieu also directed foreign policy • Thirty Years War pitted Catholics against Protestants in Central Europe • Richelieu involved France on side of Protestants in attempt to bring down Hapsburgs Threat from Nobles • Richelieu and the king saw the nobles as a threat • Cardinal Richelieu turned to suppressing them

23. Death of Louis XIII • Cardinal Richelieu died the year before Louis XIII died. • Louis XIV was only five years old, and not old enough to rule on his own. • He had not been taught how to rule as an absolute monarch. • He would be taught this by Cardinal Mazarin, who was also the lover of Anne, Louis XIV’s mother.

24. Cardinal Mazarin

25. Cardinal Mazarin’s policies were similar to Richelieu’s; he wanted to increaseroyalpower Many nobles and townspeople began to resent increasing absolutism 1. Their revolt in 1648 became known as the Fronde 2. The rebels were notunited and were crushed by Mazarin’s forces

26. Cardinal Mazarin

27. Cardinal Mazarin / Young Louis XIV

28. Louis’ mother, Anne of Austria, and Cardinal Mazarin (who had succeeded Richelieu) did their best to prepare Louis for his role.

29. Louis XIV Rules Absolutely • Cardinal Mazarin was the true ruler b/c Louis was only 5 • Mazarin made France strong: increased taxes and strengthened central government • Mazarin’s policies lead to riots led by nobles – Louis was freaked out and decided to reduce the noble’s power

30. When the Parlement tried to establish independence, Mazarin had the members of the Paris Parlement arrested. The nobles revolted against Mazarin’s power.

31. This revolt was called the “Fronde”: The Fronde consisted of three revolts: *oneby the lower and middle classes against heavy taxation, *a second by the nobles to increase their political power, *and a third by the officeholders to protect their position.

32. “La Fronde”le Comte

33. Fronde: Challenge to Absolutism • (1648-1653) – Civil Wars • Frondeur was a street punk who threw mud at passing carriages • Mazarin not as good at controlling the nobility as Richelieu • Entire regions began to refuse to pay taxes – Intendants were unhappy • Starts with the Parlement of Paris and spreads to the countryside • Many rural Parlements (judicial courts) get involved • 1651 Mazarin and Louis XIV are forced to flee at one point

34. The Fronde (1648 – 1653) • “Nobles of the sword” lash out against royal authority • Ordinary people join in,demanding lower taxes • Mazarin arrests members of Parlement, little use vs. mob • Proves that rulers still have to be strategic and subtle

35. Fronde Ends • Anarchy reigns as Nobles can’t run the government • 1653 Louis XIV returns • French are convinced that a king is the way to go • Results: • Louis XIV realizes that heavy handed policies won’t work • Hurt the French economy

36. La Fronde • This civil war was between the monarchy and disgruntled nobles fed up with their treatment under Louis XIII. • The Fronde lasted for 12 years and had a lasting impact on Louis XIV who determined that the only way to prevent chaos was absolute monarchy.

37. Louis would always remember the nobles who threatened his mother and him.

38. IMPACT OF THE FRONDES • Strong king preferable to anarchy • Frightened a young Louis XIV • Caused him to fear the nobles and look for ways to control them

39. Louis after the defeat of the Fronde, as the Roman god Jupiter

40. Louis’ Strategies • Establishes stability via peace with elite nobility • Restores royal authority by ending rebellion and stamping out peasant tax uprising • Exiles resistant members of Parlement of Paris • Disbands private armies of nobles

41. French rulers created absolutism by • reducing the excessive power of the nobility, • eliminating the Huguenots, and • increasing the esteem of the monarchy

42. Taking away the excessive powers of the nobility. • Took away dueling • No more castles • System of Intendants • Nobles must focus on venal offices

43. Eliminating the Huguenots • Edict of Nantes had created a “state within a state.” • 1627 - Richelieu defeated the Huguenot stronghold of La Rochelle • Richelieu – 1629 Peace of Alias • No walled cities, no separate public orgs., no independent courts of law

44. Increasing the esteem of the Monarchy • Henry VI – Government monopolies, canal system, highway system - corvee (public works force) • Richelieu - Smart handling of the Thirty Years War (Anti-Hapsburg despite being Catholic) • Richelieu–employed the arts and printing press to defend his actions. • Louis XIV – Versailles Propaganda he will be the best at this.