Absolutism in France

Political Centralization

• Louis XIV learned from the mistakes of Cardinals Richelieu and Mazarin

• Ruled through councils composed of loyal ministers

• Preserved regional autonomy except in Paris

• Used the Palace of Versailles as propaganda

• Divine Right of Kings

The Palace of Versailles

Religion

• Louis XIV hounded Huguenots out of public life and bribed them to convert

• Quartered troops in their towns• Revoked the Edict on Nantes in 1685• A quarter of a million Protestants emigrated

• Declaration of the Clergy of France – royal approval for clergy to leave France, can’t appeal to Pope, no excommunicating officials, royal assent for papal laws

Acquisition of Colonies

France acquired territories in:

• North America: the St. Lawrence River Valley; the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys

• The Caribbean: Saint Domingue (Haiti), Guadeloupe, Martinique

• Trading posts in West Africa and India

The Sun King’s Major WarsWar of Devolution: (1667-1668)

Franco-Dutch War: (1672-1678)• France, Sweden, England, Munster and Cologne vs. The

Dutch Republic, Austria, Prussia and Spain• Reasons= trade rivalries, expansionism and revenge for

War of Devolution• Ends with the Treaty of Nimwegen. France gains Franche-

Comte and more territories from the Spanish Netherlands

War of the Reunions: (1683-1684)

Nine Years War: (1688-1697)• France vs. H.R.E. , England, Spain, Dutch Rep., Sweden

etc.• Revocation of Edict of Nantes, commercial interests in N.

Am.Louis preemptive strike.

• Treaty of Ryswick – recognize William III

War of the Spanish Succession: (1702-1714)• vs. England, Holland, H.R.E. (Grand Alliance)• Charles II of Spain leaves his inheritance to Louis

XIV grandson• The Grand Alliance wanted to prevent France

from becoming too powerful.• Treaty of Utrecht gives Gibralter to England

making it a Mediterranean power, Philip renounces French throne, Sicily and Milan to Savoy, H.R.E. receives Spanish Netherlands, Naples and Sardinia.

Battle of Ramilles in the War of The Spanish Succession

The Ascendency of Cardinal Fleury• Tutor to the young Louis

XV and served as defacto first minister from 1726 until his death in 1743

• Prudently managed France’s finances

• Persecuted Catholic Jansenists and Freemasons

• Promoted peace with France’s enemies but left France unprepared for the War of the Austrian Succession