Henry IV brought stability to France after the Wars of Religion through the Edict of Nantes, which granted Huguenots religious tolerance. He reformed the government and increased the power of the monarchy, laying the foundations for absolutism. Under the guidance of Cardinals Richelieu and Mazarin, Louis XIII and Louis XIV further strengthened the monarch's control over the nobility and established absolutism, with Louis XIV proclaiming "L'état, c'est moi." Louis XIV expanded the bureaucracy, built up the army, revoked the Edict of Nantes, and was a patron of the arts, but his revocation damaged France's economy and reputation.

1. French AbsolutismWorld HistoryChapter 7

2. Absolutism a form of monarchical power that is unrestrained by any other institutions, such as churches, legislatures, or social elites

3. French Absolutism

4. Henry IV of NavarrePont Neuf, Paris

5. Henry IV of NavarreBourbon“Le Bon Roi Henri”State of France = mess (religious wars)Wedding of Henry IV to Margot de Valois (MOB = Catherine de’ Medici)

6. Wars of Religion Catholics vs. Huguenots

7. Huguenot = French Protestant

8. Henry IV = Huguenot = troubleSt. Bartholomew’s Day MassacreSt. Bartholomew’s Day MassacreAugust 24, 1572Over 3,000 Huguenots massacredCatherine de Medici (plotter??)Conversion of Henry IV to Catholicism

9. Edict of Nantes1598Ends French Wars of ReligionGrants religious tolerance to HuguenotsHuguenots could:Worship freely without persecutionFortify their towns and citiesGreatly resented by Catholics

10. Reforms of Henry IVGovernment involved in all aspects of life in France  foundation for absolutismGovernment under Henry IV:Justice Dept.Built & improved roadsBuilt bridgesRevived agricultureBuilt royal bureaucracyDecreased power of nobles

11. Demise of Henry IVMay 14, 1610 François Ravaillac stabbed Henry IV to deathRavaillac imprisoned, then drawn & quartered

12. The Assassination of Henry IV

13. Henry IVof NavarreTombBasilique St. Denis, Paris

14. Louis XIIISon of Henry IV and Marie de’ Medici (Henry’s 2nd wife)Inherited throne at the age of 9Mom claimed regent

15. Tomb of Louis XIIIBasilique St. Denis, Paris

16. Cardinal Armand RichelieuChief advisor to Louis XIIILaid foundation for absolutismMain goals:Destroy power of nobles Defeated private armiesDestroyed fortified castlesBrought them to courtDestroy Huguenots Outlawed armiesStill let them practice religion

17. Cardinal Jules MazarinChief minister to Louis XIVPicked up where Richelieu left offBarely escaped with life during La Fronde

18. Louis XIVSon of Louis XIII and Anne of AustriaLouis XIV’s birth considered a miracleQueen Anne childless after 23 years of marriagePrayed to Virgin MaryVal-de-Grâce (Benedictine Convent) built in gratitude

19. Louis XIVLouis XIV became king at age 5Reigned for 72 years (54 personally)Name became synonymous with absolutism

20. La FrondeAn uprising of the nobles, peasants, urban poor, and merchant classesLouis XIV (child) and Mazarin nearly diedMajor impact on Louis XIV and how he viewed the nobility

21. “L’etat c’est moi”“I am the state”Believed in divine rightKing is answerable to God aloneNever called a meeting of Estates GeneralSun = Louis’ symbol (center of the universe)Defined absolutism

22. Louis XIVThe Sun King

23. Reign of Louis XIVExpanded bureaucracyBuilt up ArmyRevoked Edict of NantesPatron of the ArtsBuilt Le Château de Versailles

24. Expanded BureaucracyAppointed intendantsPublic officials (“civil service”)Usually upper and middle classThe intendantsJustice (oversaw courts)Police (protection & military affairs)Finance (taxes & financial affairs)

25. Jean-Baptiste ColbertChief Financial Minister of Louis XIVFinancial whizEconomy & trade flourishedFrance still in debt (why???)

26. Colbert’s TombSt. EustacheParis

27. Built Up ArmyPaid, fed, trained, & supplied over 300,000 soldiersBuilt Hôtel des Invalides (military hospital)

28. Hôtel desInvalidesParis

29. Revoked Edict of NantesOctober 1685 – Edict of Fontainebleau Perhaps his biggest mistakeProtestantism made illegalExodus of over 100,000 Huguenots (to Great Britain, Prussia, Dutch Republic, etc.)

30. Revoked Edict of NantesFrance lost skilled workers with the exodus, thus negatively affecting France’s economyAlso damaged Louis XIV’s reputation – bordering Protestant nations became more hostile

31. Patron of the ArtsLouis XIV strongly supported the artsBrought to court Playwrights & authorsArtistsComposers & musicians

32. Portrait of MolièreMusée Carnavalet, Paris

33. Place de la Victoire