France under the Sun (King)
1643-1715
Cardinal Richelieu and Mazarin
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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 coo kachoo)
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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.
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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
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France had the finances to raise and
maintain a fairly large army
First target: Holland
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Secure the Northern border of the Spanish
Netherlands, Alsace, Lorraine and FrancheComte.
Secure southern borders near Spain and
harass the Habsburgs
Wars of the Devolution
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Fought to insure Louis first wife, Maria
Therese, inherited the Spanish
Netherlands
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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
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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
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Economic minister to
Louis XIV
Created new jobs and
industries in France
based on new
technologies
Helped establish the
French Academy
(Science)
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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
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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
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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
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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