ABSOLUTISM IN FRANCE LEQ: How does Absolutism develop in France?
THE RISE OF ABSOLUTISM IN FRANCE
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Transcript of THE RISE OF ABSOLUTISM IN FRANCE
THE RISE OF ABSOLUTISM
IN FRANCE
“L’etat, c’est moi (I am the state)”
–Louis XIV
THE RISE OF ABSOLUTISM IN FRANCE
Louis XIIICardinal Richelieu
• Louis XIII died in 1643
• Cardinal Richelieu died in 1642
• Louis XIV crowned in 1643
• reduced power of nobility
• restricted local authorities
•Richelieu’s spies uncovered series of planned revolts•Punishments were severe, including death for treason•wanted to reduce power of Huguenots, strengthen monarchy
Punished Nobles
THE RISE OF ABSOLUTISM IN FRANCE
Can you compare these tactics to other Absolute rulers?
BUILDING ABSOLUTISM
Young Louis XIV Cardinal Mazarin
• Louis XIV becomes king at young age, with mother as regent
• Cardinal Mazarin, chief minister after Richelieu, provided advice
• Louis raised to be king, taught skills needed from childhood
Rise of the Sun King
• Young king supremely confident in ability to rule
• When Mazarin died, 18-year-old Louis declared he would run government himself – takes reigns of government in 1661
• “I am the state,” he declared
Confident in Ability to Rule
RULE OF LOUIS XIV
Absolute Monarchy
• Louis XIV retained absolute power – Declared Divine Right Rule
• Began tradition of absolute monarchy to last more than century
• Demanded to be in charge of all military, political, economic initiatives
RULE OF LOUIS XIV
Versailles
Central Government
• Drew power to himself, deprived nobles of influence
• Built palace outside Paris at Versailles; demanded nobles visit and live there
• Nobles gained prestige being servants at Versailles court, not by fighting
• Additionally, Louis urged nobles to develop expensive new habits of dressing, dining, and gambling
• As nobles grew poorer, had to depend on king’s generosity just to survive
RULE OF LOUIS XIV
Versailles
Versailles was a grand spectacle of kingly power • Louis XIV’s style, ceremony emphasized political strength• Practically every moment of king’s day required rituals by
bowing courtiers– Eating, dressing, walking in garden, all required a ritual– Louis always knew who had given what he considered proper attention
RULE OF LOUIS XIV
Louis XIV chose the sun as his personal symbol, implying that the world revolved around him. He thus became
known as the Sun King.He was God’s representative on Earth!
RULE OF LOUIS XIV
Religious unification
• Louis smashed power of Huguenots
• Edict of Nantes had protected Huguenots since reign of Henry IV
• Even Richelieu had not be able to eliminate that protection
• 1685, Louis revoked Edict of Nantes, outlawed Protestantism in France
• Over 200,000 Huguenots fled—prosperous merchants, artisans
• Loss of their skills, wealth helped cause financial crisis
“One king, one law, one faith”
RULE OF LOUIS XIV
• Louis’ finances always a concern• Grand lifestyle cost great deal of
money• Limited imports, increased exports• Mercantilist System
Money and the Military
• Louis needed cash to build up military, expand French territory
• Enlarged army to more than 200,000 disciplined soldiers
• Spent money on good equipment• Was most powerful ruler in Europe,
taking France to war four times
Most Powerful Ruler
ABSOLUTISM IN FRANCE
Dependant on many advisors & bureaucrats Many old privileges & customs continued to exist Estates General – Representative law making body – had to be called to meet by the King
•Pinnacle of power, wealth, prestige
•Overseas exploration & expansion – New World, Africa, SE Asia
•Cultural & intellectual leader – Art, Fashion, Cuisine, Philosophy