Eliminated inefficiency and corruption

Still a heavy tax burden on bourgeoisie, peasantry and working class

Reduced nobilities influence in Local affairs

Sent Royal officials

Intendants

Assassinated by nobles 1610

Henry IV

Issues Edict of Nantes 1598Right-hand man, the minister Maximilien

de Béthune, duc de Sully (1560–1641), - to regularise state finance, - promote agriculture- drain swamps to create productive crop lands,- undertake many public works- encourage education

LOUIS XIII

• KING AT 10 (1610) Henry IV assassinated• Marie de’ Medici Regent dismissed Henry

IV chief Minister Sully• Appointed Richelieu as Chief Minister

in1624– Expand power of King by destroying

• Huguenots• Nobles• Used Intendants to limit power of Nobles

DOMINATE EUROPE

ORDER, STABILITY, AND REFORM IN FRANCE

ADVISORS--

Kept a group of Professional diplomats as his advisors. - Cardinal Richelieu

Cardinal Mazarin Takes over after Richelieu’s death

THE FRONDE--1648-1653 (slang for “slingshot” – used by the boys in the streets of Paris)

Series of rebellions against royal power – lead by the nobles and the townspeople

WHY????

Authority had been undermined by the Royal Officials

Represented a threat to the crown’s power

Ultimately served to strengthen the crown’s power

The disorder it created showed the people the need for a strong monarchy

Began at Mazarin’s death

“L’etat, c’est moi” – “I am the state”

Absolute power

“lettre de cache” – authorized imprisonment or exile without trial

1660 –Married Marie Therese – political

The Personal Rule of the Sun King

To limit power of nobility he appointed more middle class

Selling the titles – “nobles of the robe” they undermined “nobility of the sword”

Versailles – King’s residence and center of government

Cost a great deal of money

Controlled finances under Louis XIV

Expanded government role in the economy

Encouraged industry

Built roads and canals

Nobility and clergy stayed tax exempt

tax burden remained on peasants and lower middle class

Inadequacy of financial system was a major weak spot

GALLICANISM

Louis XIV exercised administrative control over the church in France

REVOCATION OF THE EDICT OF NANTES

Louis XIV believed in Religious unity

200,000 Huguenots fled causing economic problems – France was deprived of their knowledge and skills

THE WAR OF DEVOLUTION (1667-1668)

France was awarded several towns on the border of the Spanish Netherlands

THE DUTCH WAR (1672 – 1678)

France gained several additional towns along the border of the Spanish Netherlands

THE WAR OF THE LEAGUE OF AUGSBURG (9 YEARS’ WAR) – (1688 – 1697)

France lost most of its prior gains, but kept Alsace

Louis XIV – claimed his grandson Philip of Anjou was heir to the Spanish throne

Hapsburg Holy Roman Emperor Leopold challenged – claiming the throne was for his son Charles

England, Holland & Holy Roman Emperor joined forces against France

Philip of Anjou became King Philip V of Spain

Neither he nor his successors could occupy the French throne

France lost a number of colonies in the New World, but kept Quebec

Created a Political Alliance with Spain.BUILT THE PALACE OF VERSAILLES

Forced the Nobility to live there

They had all the privileges they wanted and non of the power.

He had ABSOLUTE CONTROL