THE RISE OF ABSOLUTISM IN FRANCE

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THE RISE OF ABSOLUTISM IN FRANCE
Letat, cest moi (I am the state) Louis XIV
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THE RISE OF ABSOLUTISM IN FRANCE
Punished Nobles

• Louis XIII died in 1643
• Cardinal Richelieu died in 1642
• Louis XIV crowned in 1643
• reduced power of nobility
• restricted local authorities

• Richelieus spies uncovered series of planned
  revolts
• Punishments were severe, including death for
  treason
• wanted to reduce power of Huguenots, strengthen
  monarchy

Cardinal Richelieu
Louis XIII
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THE RISE OF ABSOLUTISM IN FRANCE
Can you compare these tactics to other Absolute
rulers?
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BUILDING ABSOLUTISM
Young Louis XIV
Cardinal Mazarin
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RULE OF LOUIS XIV

• Absolute Monarchy
• Louis XIV retained absolute power Declared
  Divine Right Rule
• Began tradition of absolute monarchy to last more
  than century
• Demanded to be in charge of all military,
  political, economic initiatives

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RULE OF LOUIS XIV

• Central Government
• Drew power to himself, deprived nobles of
  influence
• Built palace outside Paris at Versailles
  demanded nobles visit and live there
• Nobles gained prestige being servants at
  Versailles court, not by fighting
• Additionally, Louis urged nobles to develop
  expensive new habits of dressing, dining, and
  gambling
• As nobles grew poorer, had to depend on kings
  generosity just to survive

Versailles
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RULE OF LOUIS XIV

• Versailles was a grand spectacle of kingly power
• Louis XIVs style, ceremony emphasized political
  strength
• Practically every moment of kings day required
  rituals by bowing courtiers
• Eating, dressing, walking in garden, all required
  a ritual
• Louis always knew who had given what he
  considered proper attention

Versailles
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RULE OF LOUIS XIV
Louis XIV chose the sun as his personal symbol,
implying that the world revolved around him. He
thus became known as the Sun King. He was Gods
representative on Earth!
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RULE OF LOUIS XIV
Religious unification
One king, one law, one faith

• Louis smashed power of Huguenots
• Edict of Nantes had protected Huguenots since
  reign of Henry IV
• Even Richelieu had not be able to eliminate that
  protection
• 1685, Louis revoked Edict of Nantes, outlawed
  Protestantism in France
• Over 200,000 Huguenots fledprosperous merchants,
  artisans
• Loss of their skills, wealth helped cause
  financial crisis

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RULE OF LOUIS XIV
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ABSOLUTISM IN FRANCE

• Dependant on many advisors bureaucrats

• Many old privileges customs continued to exist

• Estates General Representative law making body
  had to be called to meet by the King

• Pinnacle of power, wealth, prestige
• Overseas exploration expansion New World,
  Africa, SE Asia
• Cultural intellectual leader Art, Fashion,
  Cuisine, Philosophy