The Royal StateAbsolutism in Western Europe (1589-1715)

Derived from the assumption of “Divine Right of Kings” Absolutism was most successful in France under Louis XIV

Characteristics of Western European Absolutism Sovereignty of the state was embodied in the ruler Monarchs were not subordinate to national assemblies Established nobility (Nobles of the Sword) was brought under

control of the monarch who limited their power. New nobles purchased their titles from the monarch (Nobles of

the Robe) and were loyal to the crown. Bureaucracies were composed of officials appointed by the crown

and who were accountable to the king. Absolute states maintained large standing armies to protect

against foreign aggression. Secret police weakened political opposition

Bourbon France

Establishment of the Bourbon Dynasty

Between 1562 and 1589, civil war broke out in France between Catholics and protestant Huguenots (French Calvinists).

In 1589. a Huguenot leader Henry Bourbon seized control of the French throne and became Henry IV.

He established the Bourbon dynasty that would rule France for the next two hundred years.

Following the civil war, France was in chaos. Henry began rebuilding the country into the strongest nation in Europe.

Henry IV 1589-1610 Henry converted to Catholicism to

gain support of the country’s majority. Issued the Edict of Nantes in 1598

proclaiming toleration of Huguenots. His finance minister the Duke of Sully,

instituted mercantilist policies and began major economic reforms and public works programs to enrich the nation and rebuild from the damage of the civil war.

In 1610, Henry was assassinated by an fanatic monk as he rode in his carriage.

Louis XIII 1610 - 1643 Henry was succeeded by his ten year old son who

became Louis XIII. His mother Marie de Medici served as his regent

and arranged his marriage to a Hapsburg princess, Anne of Austria. She dismissed Sully leaving France without strong leadership.

With this void in leadership Huguenots and nobles took advantage to strengthen their own positions and threaten royal authority.

In 1521 Marie appointed a strong chief minister Cardinal Richelieu to aid the king.

Louis had little interest in ruling and spent most of his time at his hunting lodge at Versailles.

Richelieu ran the country on behalf of Louis and re-strengthened the monarchy.

Hunting Lodge of Louis XIII (Versailles)

Cardinal RichelieuRichelieu was a member of the clergy and a shrewd politique. He had three main goals:1. Reassert royal power over the

nobility. 2. Destroy the political power of the

Huguenots.3. Build France into the most

powerful nation in Europe

Cardinal Richelieu (1585-1642)To achieve his goals Richelieu

Sent royal officials (intendants) into the provinces to strengthen royal authority.

Appointed members of the middle class (bourgeoisie) to government positions rather than nobles.

Weakened the power of the Huguenots by destroying their walled cities that had been allowed under the Edict of Nantes. He still allowed their freedom of religion to avoid another civil war. (Peace of Alais, 1629).

Enriched the monarchy by imposing heavy taxes on the lower classes.

Entered the Thirty Years War on the side of German protestants to weaken Frances rivals.

Foreign Affairs under Richelieu and Louis XIII

Richelieu revived French opposition to the traditional rival Hapsburg rulers in the Holy Roman Empire.

In 1635, Catholic France entered the Thirty Years War on the side of the protestants rather than the Catholics.

Hapsburg power was severely weakened by the war. It ended in 1648 with the signing of the Peace of Westphalia.

Although Richelieu (1642) and Louis (1643) died before the war ended, France emerged as Europe’s most powerful country

Richelieu was succeeded by Cardinal Mazarin who continued his policies Cardinal Mazarin

r. 1642-1661

Louis XIV “The Sun King”1643 - 1715

Louis XIV as a Child

In 1643, following the death of Louis XIII, his five year old son became king as Louis XIV.

His mother, Anne served as his regent aided by Cardinal Mazarin. Mazarin continued the policies of Cardinal Richelieu

During his childhood French nobles rebelled against royal power (1648-1653) in what was known as The Fronde.• Louis would never forget this and he become the ultimate

absolute monarch. • Louis XIV would become one of the strongest and most colorful

monarchs of all time. He was known as the Sun King.

Louis XIV “The Sun King”Through the Years

Louis XIV “The Sun King”1643 - 1715

Louis’ Reign is noted for: Absolute Rule Blossoming of French Culture Religious Persecution Strong Economic Policy Ongoing warfare

Louis XIV “The Sun King”1643 - 1715

Louis claimed Divine Right Exercised unlimited power Never convened the Estates

General during his reign. Forced the nobles to live at

Versailles so he could keep them busy, watch them, and assure their loyalty and allegiance.

Absolute Rule

Louis XIV The Sun King

Louis XIV “The Sun King”1643 - 1715

Built Versailles into the most magnificent palace in the world.

France became the center of art and culture in Europe.

French became the most widely spoken language in Europe.

The greatest cultural and political figures of the time visited the court at Versailles.

Blossoming of French Culture

The Palace of Versailles

Original Hunting Lodge of Louis XIII

The Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles

The Gardens and Fountains of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles

The King’s Chamber

The Queen’s Chamber The Theatre

The Palace of Versailles

The Hall of Mirrors

Louis XIV 1643 - 1715 In 1661, Louis appointed Jean Baptiste Colbert , to

oversee and stimulate the French economy. Colbert was an ardent mercantilist and a strong

advocate of Bullionism. He established French colonies abroad and

strengthened the French Navy and commercial fleet. He restructured the tax system including the taille,

which led to drastic increased revenue. He ordered construction of new roads and canals to

improve trade. Supported new industries with government funds,

reduced internal tariffs, and government supported monopoly powers.

Despite the heavy spending of the crown, Colbert was able to keep the French government solvent

Louis did not replace Colbert after his death in 1683. Due to other royal expenditures the French economy began to spiral downward.

Strong Economic Policy

Jean Baptiste Colbert1661-1683

Louis XIV 1643 - 1715

In 1685, Louis revoked the Edict of Nantes with the Edict of Fontainebleau

He ordered the destruction of Huguenot churches and closing of protestant schools

Only Catholicism was tolerated as a state religion. Huguenots persecution was sanctioned by the king. Over the next two decades hundreds of thousands of

Protestants left France, taking with them skills and knowledge vital to the French economy.

Many of Frances wealthiest merchants left. This would later deeply hurt France economically and contributed to the economic growth in other European states.

18th century Enlightenment philosophes stressed religious toleration which was eventually restored during the latter part of the century.

The Edict of Tolerance was issued by Louis XVI in 1787, just prior to the French Revolution. Calvinist, Huguenots, Lutherans, and Jews were given legal recognition and right to open worship.

Religious Persecution

Persecution of Huguenots

The Wars of Louis XIV

It centered over who would assume the Spanish throne when the last Spanish Hapsburg Charles II died without an heir in 1700.

HRE Emperor Leopold I favored his son Charles. Louis favored his grandson Philip of Anjou.

The war raged for 13 years and ended with the Treaty of Utrecht Louis’ grandson became Spanish king but France lost territory

including colonies in North America. A balance of power was re-established in Europe

European countries feared the growing power of Louis and France. During his reign Louis fought four major wars and many smaller skirmishes

against these countries. The wars were initially successful but continuously drained the country’s

treasury. The last of these was The War of Spanish Succession (1701-1714).

By the time of Louis’ death in 1715, France was facing severe financial crisis. Louis great grandson Louis XV inherited the French throne. He and his successor Louis XVI were crippled by debt, war, and civil unrest. They

were much weaker rulers than the “Sun King”. France moved closer to revolution. It finally erupted in 1789.