18.2: Absolute Monarchy and France
Cardinal Richelieu
(1585-1642) Minister to Louis XIII. His three point plan= 1.) Break the power of the nobility 2. Humble the House of Austria 3. Control the Protestants) helped to send France on the road to absolute monarchy.
War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1713)
A war fought over the Spanish throne. Louis XIV wanted it for his grandson and fought a war against the Dutch, English, and the Holy Roman Empire to gain the throne for France. The Peace of Utrecht ended the war.
What were the effects of the siege of La Rochelle?
An important stage in the creation of a strong central government in France, that would take the whole control of the territory and was religiously intolerant.
Henry IV (of Navarre)
Ascended the French throne as a convert to Catholicism "Paris is worth the mass!" (1589-1610)
Louis XIV "The Sun King" (1643-1715)
Best example of an absolute monarch, Louis led France during a time of great power, prosperity, and glory (His reign had a lasting impact on France—both positive and negative).
Edict of Nantes (1598)
Decree issued by the French crown granting limited toleration to French Protestants. Ended religious wars in France and inaugurated a period of French preeminence in Europe and across the Atlantic. Its repeal in 1685 prompted a fresh migration of Protestant Huguenots to North America.
What did Louis XIV mean by "L'état, c'est moi"?
He meant that "I an the state" because he was an absolute monarchy and would decide all of the laws and make all of the important decisions for the country.
How could Louis XIV have improved his legacy?
He shouldn't have started so many wars and not create many buildings/places and wouldn't have placed France in debt.
Attributed to Henry IV is the quotation, "Paris is well worth a mass." What does this statement mean?
He thought that being King of France was worth converting to Catholicism.
Who was Cardinal Richelieu, and why was he significant?
He was chief minister of Louis XIII and helped change French society and gov't.
Write a brief definition of the following terms: Huguenot, Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre, Edict of Nantes.
Huguenot= French Calvinist Protestant Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre= Two leaders did not want the marriage of a Protestant and Catholic so Catharine Medici ordered a massacre the eve before the wedding in Paris Edict of Nantes= gave freedoms to Huguenots but Catholicism was the official religion
What was Versailles? Why was it important?
Louis XIV created the castle which took about 10-20 years to build due to extreme detail but would distract the rest of France from life and this would symbolize his wealth and power.
List in order the major events in the conflict between French Huguenots and Catholics.
Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre, Edict of Nantes, 30 Years War
Cardinal Mazarin (1602-1661)
Successor of Cardinal Richelieu. He ran the government while Louis XIV was still a child. His bad attempts to increase royal revenue and the state lead to the Fronde.
Why would the demolition of the nobles' castles diminish their military power?
The demolition of the noble's castles would diminish their military power because they would have to live under the King's command because he made them spend all of their money on expensive things causing them debt-mooch the king and be vulnerable to French troops.
Who did Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu see as their enemies?
The duo saw their enemies as the Huguenots and also wanted to diminish the power of the Hapsburg family who were Catholic so France took the Protestant side to overthrow them.
How did Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu strengthen the French monarchy?
They got rid of the power of nobles and Protestants by stripping down their protective walls keeping them not safe.
Treaty of Utrecht (1713)
Treaty that ended the War of Spanish Succession & recognized France's Philip V as Kind of Spain, but prohibited the unification of the French and Spanish monarchies; gave England profitable lands in North America from France.
Why did the streets of Paris run with blood?
Two days before the wedding, Catherine de' Medici, the queen of France and the bride's mother, had ordered the murder of a prominent Protestant leader. The attempt failed, but then Catherine had another idea. While so many Protestants were in the city, she ordered their massacre. Just before dawn on August 24, the killing began, with a bloodbath as the result.
What were some main events during Louis XIV's reign?
Versailles, Cancellation of Edict, War of Spanish Succession, Treaty of Utrecht.
How did Henry IV end France's wars of religion?
he created the Edict of Nantes to create limited freedom to the Huguenots to worship but they could hold office ad rule the towns with the most popularity of this religion (concept forgotten) but the Catholics agreed because the violence between the two subsided and Catholicism was declared as the official religion of France.
Saint Batholomew's Day Massacre
in 1572, on the night of the wedding of Henry of Navarre and Marguerite, the Guise family and Catharine de Medici plotted to kill all the Huguenot nobility. largely successful. Massacre of Catholic mobs onto Huguenots
Louis XIII (1610-1643)
king of France from 1610 to 1643 who relied heavily on the advice of Cardinal Richelieu (1601-1643)- (mother was a regent; ruled (govern) in his place because when he was crowned he was still very young and could not rule France)
un roi, une loi, une foi
one king, one law, one religion
Huguenot
French Calvinist Protestant
What were some high points and low points in the life of Henry IV?
High points= Edict of Nantes, debt paid off, surplus, new industries, etc. Low points= Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre
