Bourbon France

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Bourbon France
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Cardinal Richelieu
Richelieu was a member of the clergy and a
politician. He had two main goals 1. Make the
monarchy the supreme authority in France. 2.
Build France into the most powerful nation in
Europe
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Cardinal Richelieu

• Richelieu achieved his goals by
• Weakening the power of nobles by destroying their
  castles.
• Weakening the power of the Huguenots by
  destroying their walled cities.
• Enriching the monarchy by imposing heavy taxes on
  the lower classes.
• Entering the Thirty Years War in Germany to
  weaken Frances rivals.

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The Thirty Years War

• Began as a struggle in Germany between
  Protestants and Catholics.
• France sided with the Protestants rather than the
  Catholics.
• Nearly 1/3 of Germany's population died.
• Ended in 1648 with the signing of the Peace of
  Westphalia.

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Results of The Thirty Years War

• The Netherlands and Switzerland became
  independent
• Many longstanding problems between European
  nations were resolved.
• France gained the valuable German territory of
  Alsace and Lorraine

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Louis XIV The Sun King 1643 - 1715

• In 1643, following the death of Louis XIII, his
  five year old son became king as Louis XIV.
• Louis XIV would become one of the strongest
  monarchs of all time. He was known as the Sun
  King and built France into one of the most
  powerful states in Europe.

Louis XIV as a Child
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• The Sun Kings Reign is noted for its
• Absolute Rule
• Blossoming of French Culture
• Religious Persecution
• Strong Economic Policy

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Louis XIV The Sun King 1643 - 1715
Absolute Rule

• Louis claimed Divine Right
• Exercised unlimited power
• Never convened the Estates General during his
  reign.
• Forced the nobles to live in his court so he
  could watch them.

Louis XIV The Sun King
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Blossoming of French Culture

• Built Versailles into the most magnificent palace
  in the world.
• France became the center of art and culture in
  Europe.
• French became the most widely spoken language in
  Europe.
• The greatest cultural and political figures of
  the time visited the court at Versailles.

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The Palace of Versailles
Original Hunting Lodge of Louis XIII
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Fun Facts about Versailles

• Larger than the island of Manhattan
• Would have cost 2 billion in todays dollar
• Hall of Mirrors contains 43 chandeliers
• Took 28 years to complete the chapel
• Queens bedchamber was the largest private room
  because she had to give birth in public
• 5,000 people could live there (including
  servants)

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Louis XIV The Sun King 1643 - 1715
Religious Persecution

• Louis revoked the Edict of Nantes and Huguenots
  were persecuted.
• Protestants were forced to convert to Catholicism
  of leave France.
• Many of Frances wealthiest merchants left. This
  later deeply hurt France economically.

Persecution of Huguenots
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Louis XIV The Sun King 1643 - 1715
Strong Economic Policy

• Appointed a strong finance minister Jean Baptiste
  Colbert.
• Colbert built new roads and canals to improve
  trade.
• Established French colonies abroad.
• Supported new industries with government funds.

Jean Baptiste Colbert
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The Daily Dressing of the Sun King