France under the Sun King 1643 1715 Cardinal

France under the Sun (King) 1643 -1715

Cardinal Richelieu and Mazarin n n Richelieu rules France during the end of Louis XIII (dies 1642) Mazarin rules 1642 until 1661 under Louis XIV Both lay the groundwork for Absolute rule in France The Fronde- a series of revolts by the Protestant nobles against the policies of Mazarin. Most fail. Louis XIV however sees this as a sign that hard line policies could endanger the monarchy. Therefore, when Mazarin dies, Louis takes over all policy making at the age of 23.

I am the State (coo kachoo) n n This means the nobles would be directly challenging the King and not the advisors. Growing up Louis was tutored in the idea of the Divine Right of Kings by Bossuet. n n n Old Testament origins If God can judge the Pope and the Pope can judge the King, God can judge the King and therefore cannot be judged by parliaments and the people This education reportedly prompts Louis to proclaim L’etat c’est moi. ” (I am the State)

Louis’ early wars n n France had the finances to raise and maintain a fairly large army First target: Holland n n Secure the Northern border of the Spanish Netherlands, Alsace, Lorraine and Franche. Comte. Secure southern borders near Spain and harass the Habsburgs

Wars of the Devolution n Fought to insure Louis first wife, Maria Therese, inherited the Spanish Netherlands n n Due to complex legalities, the Sp Netherlands “devolved” to her Ended by the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen) France gains part of the Sp Neth.

France/England vs. Holland/HRE n n Treaty of Dover forges French/English alliance William of Orange bands with the HRE France is now seen as a menace to all of Europe, regardless of religion Ended by Treaty of Nijmwegen, wherein France gains more land at Holland’s expense (1672)

Jean-Baptiste Colbert n n n Economic minister to Louis XIV Created new jobs and industries in France based on new technologies Helped establish the French Academy (Science) n

The REAL Colbert

Colbert and the French Academy

Religious Issues Edict of Nantes still law Jansenists- Catholic movement opposed to the ideas and policies of the Jesuits Believed in the teachings of St. Augustine Opposed free will and believed the original sin has corrupted mankind that no one could save themselves

n n n Jansenism made inroads among several noble families in France Some were involved in the Fronde 1653 - Pope Innocent X declares Janseists to be heretics 1656 - Pope bans their books 1660 - Louis allows Papal Bull to be enforced in France Jansenists go underground

Reverse Nantes n n n Louis revoked the Edict of Nantes (see handout) 1. 75 million Protestants in France Louis tries to unite France religiously Was influenced by his mistress Madame de Maintenon Louis hounds Protestants out of public life, bans them from government, and excludes from printing and medical professions

Big Mistake n n n Revoking the Edict was bad- Louis now became a target for all Protestants Many highly skilled workers (mostly Protestants) left France (some left for North America) Made England look moderate in terms of repression