Transcript France
Unit 8 Chapter 19 Absolute Monarchs Section 1 – France Henry of Navarre • 1589 – Becomes Henry IV as he inherits the throne. – First Bourbon king in France – Good leader, clever politician • Way to keep power is to put France first. •Huguenot, Converts to Catholicism. • Issues Edict of Nantes - 1598 – Gave Huguenots freedom of worship and right to build churches in certain areas, and could defend own towns. Henry IV • Henry devoted reign to rebuilding France. – Restored monarchy power. •rebuilt the bureaucracy •Tried to fix system of taxation – Peace in France – Some still hated him •1610 – was stabbed to death. •Louis XIII (his son) becomes king – Age 8. – Louis was a sick and weak king but appointed wise advisors. Cardinal Richelieu • Cardinal Richelieu – Chief Minister – Took more power away from the nobles – Wanted to centralize power and strengthen the monarchy •Intendants-regional agents of the king – Two threats to France •Huguenots •Hapsburgs – Strengthened trade and industry. Cardinal Richelieu • Huguenots – believed to be dangerous – Wanted to prevent them from challenging power. – 1627 – started attacking their cities – 1628 – they want peace - agree not fortify cities • Hapsburg Empire. – 1618 - Influenced Thirty Years War Thirty Years’ War • 1618 – Conflict over religion, territory and power – Started as a Protestant revolt in Prague against HRE • Cardinal Richelieu tried to influence the war and keep it going but technically keep France out of it until 1648. – War basically over Peace of Westphalia • 1648 – Peace treaty ends war. – Weakened Spain, Austria, Holy Roman Empire and Habsburg’s family – Ended religious wars in Europe – Netherlands and Switzerland gained independence – Strengthened France – gained some German land - Alsace Louis XIV • 1643 - Louis XIII dies – Louis XIV (son) - 5 years old – becomes King – Mother, Anne of Austria and Cardinal Mazarin rule for him until he’s able – Continues to centralize power. • 1661 - Mazarin dies - Louis is 23 rules on his own – Ruled for 72 years – Frances’s most powerful ruler ever – Dominates Europe Louis XIV - "The Sun King" • Symbol was the sun – As the earth depends upon the sun for its existence, so did his subjects depend on him. – Divine right to rule, absolute power, representative from God. Louis XIV and the Nobility • Had hundred of nobility living at Versailles – Helped him dress – Hoping for his approval – The better to watch over them.... •Decreased their local power, increased Intendants power. http://en.chateauversailles.fr/homepage Louis XIV - Versailles • Royal Palace • 11 miles southwest of Paris • More like a royal city • Rich decorations – Showed wealth and power. • Elaborate ceremonies • Center of culture – Opera became more popular than ballet – Purpose to glorify the king and his values Colbert Economics • Jean Baptiste Colbert - Minister of Finance • Believed in Mercantilism – Manufacture what you need, no imports. – Make country self-sufficient – Keep wealth within country. • Businesses – Lend Money – Tax breaks until making money – High tariffs on imports • Encouraged trade and Colonies – Get raw materials Colbert Economics • Under Colbert – Economy prospered • After Colbert’s Death – Economic growth slows Louis XIV’s Changes • 1685 – Louis XIV Canceled Edict of Nantes – Ended religious toleration for Huguenots – Believed they threatened the unity and stability of France – Huguenots, to escape persecution, fled to England, Americas and the Dutch Netherlands. – Weakened France in the long run. Wars • Wanted to extend France to gain natural barriers • Invaded Spanish and Dutch Netherlands, Sweden, England, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire. • France gains some new territory. • 1660-1670’s – European alliance formed – Meant to reach a balance of power. War of the Spanish Succession • France had been weakened by poor harvests and constant warfare and increased taxes. – People wanted peace, got another war • 1700 - Charles II, king of Spain dies, last of Hapsburgs – No heir, promises throne to Philip V, Louis XIV’s grandson • European powers concerned about possible unification of France and Spain under the Bourbons. • France and Spain vs. Europe War of the Spanish Succession • Peace of Utrecht – 1713 – French suffer loses – Louis agrees that Spain will be ruled by Philip V •Would never unite – Austria - gets Spanish Netherlands, areas in Italy. – England - gets New Foundland, Nova Scotia, Hudson Bay, Gibraltar, and Minorca •Lands which had been France’s. – Prussia and Savoy recognized as kingdoms – Left France in debt Louis’s Legacy • Louis realized his wars had ruined France – Debt and abuses of power • Set up some colonies in U.S., Asia & India • Died in 1715 – People of France rejoiced • Left a mixed legacy – France was a powerful nation – Debt and abuses would hinder future heirs to throne. • Leaders that come after will comparably weaker rulers – Nobility will win back many of its privileges – Royal authority starts to decline.