The Rise of Absolutism in France

I. Introduction to Absolutism

A. Absolutism defined; compared with constitutional state

B. Governments increase spendingC. Large permanent standing armies D. Heavy taxation by poorest classesE. Central government controls all other

institutions within the country1. For example, courts, private armies, etc.

F. Rise of state bureaucracies—centralization1. Appointed by and loyal to the king2. From middle class and nobility

II. Absolutism in FranceA. Long-term causes—after The 100 Years’ War

1. Charles VII (1422-1461)a) Taxed (gabelle and taille)b) Created first permanent royal armyc) Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges

2. Louis XI “Spider King” (1461-1483)a) Promoted economic growth, new industries, and tradeb) Improved the army, increased taxesc) Gained feudal territories—Burgundy, Anjou, Provence…

3. Othera) Louis XII: Married Anne of Brittanyb) Francis I: Concordat of Bologna (1516)—French crown control over

church• Creates Catholicism as state religion

II. Absolutism in France Continued

B. French Civil War (1559-1598)1. Roots

a) Concordat of Bologna—civil service men rewarded with church offices

b) Many French attracted to Calvinism—”reform”c) Weak sons of Henry II—Francis II, Charles IX, Henry IIId) Nobility converts to Calvinism e) Widespread Catholic-Calvinist fightingf) St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre—1572

• Margaret of Valois and Henry of Navarre• 12,000 Huguenots massacred

2. Begins war of three Henrys—Henry Guise (Cath), Henry of Navarre (Prot), Henry III (Cath)a) Politiques—restore strong monarchy, accept Huguenots

II. Absolutism in France ContinuedC. Henry IV (1589-1610)

1. Restored internal peace in France2. Issued Edict of Nantes (1598)3. Kept France at peace;

Henry IV Quotes:

“Paris is well worth a Mass.”

“There should be a chicken in every peasant's pot every Sunday.”

“If we are without compassion for the people, they must succumb and we will all perish with them.”

II. Absolutism in France ContinuedC. Henry IV (1589-1610)

1. Restored internal peace in France2. Issued Edict of Nantes (1598)3. Kept France at peace4. Introduced paulette (Fee paid by royal officials)5. Appointed Duke of Sully as Chief Minister

a) Increased trade; subsidized Company for Trade with Indies; started a highway system

6. Assassinated

D. Louis XIII (1610-1643)1. Marie de’ Medici—headed the government2. Feudal nobles run the show3. Cardinal Richelieu appointed to Council of Ministers (1624)4. Ended Protestant independence

a) La Rochelle; Weakened Calvinism

II. Absolutism in France Continued

E. Cardinal Richelieu1. All groups subordinated to throne2. Curbed power of nobility, leveled castles3. Intendants—appointed by king, could not own

land in generalites, collected tax, regulated trade, law a) Greatly increased power of the throne

4. Support of Sweden in Thirty Years’ War5. French Academy—to standardize French

language6. Wrote Political Testament

a) “Finances are the sinews of the state”

7. Raison d’etat—to justify policies 8. Had Jules Mazarin appointed successor

II. Absolutism in France Continued

F. Jules Mazarin1. Italian protégé 2. Continued centralizing policies under

Louis XIV3. Fronde—Civil wars of 1648-1653

a) Those who opposed the policies of the kingb) Large parts of France refused to pay taxesc) Aristocrats, bureaucrats, judges, intendants,

peasants, artisans d) Affected young Louis XIV—distrust of nobilitye) Alternative to monarchy is absolute monarchy

II. Absolutism in France ContinuedG. Louis XIV (1643-1715)—Culture,

Court and power1. Believed God established monarchy2. Taught by Mazarin3. Married Maria Theresa4. Complete control over nobility5. Brought court to Versailles6. Never called Estates General7. Used spies, opened letters8. Named Colbert controller of finances

a) Mercantilism; made France sell abroad; expanded industries; merchant marine