France Under Louis XIV

1
France Under Louis XIV

• Ch. 17 sec. 2

2

• Religious wars between Huguenots (French
  Protestants) and the Catholic majority tore
  France apart.
  
• (1572) St. Bartholomews Day Massacre
• Both Catholics and Huguenots gathered for a royal
  wedding. Violence erupted and thousands of
  Huguenots were slaughtered.
  
• This symbolized complete breakdown of order in
  France.
  
• (1589) Henry of the Protestant Bourbon family
  inherited throne and becomes Henry IV.
  
• Henry knew that he would face big problems since
  France was largely Catholic so he converted.

3

• Edict of Nantes- issued by Henry IV and granted
  Huguenots religious toleration and let them have
  their own towns.
  
• (1610) Henry IV assassinated.
• 9 year old son Louis XIII inherited the throne.
• Cardinal Armand Richelieu is appointed as his
  chief minister to help the young boy rule.
  
• Richelieu wanted to destroy power of nobles and
  Huguenots.
  
• He defeated both of their small armies, yet
  allowed Huguenots to practice their religion.
  Basically wanted no military threat to the
  throne.

4

• Richelieu hand-picked his successor, Cardinal
  Jules Mazarin, when he saw death coming on.
  
• (1643) Louis XIV (age 9) inherited throne one
  year after Richelieus death.
  
• Mazarin was in place as chief minister.
• Mazarin dies 18 years later.
• Louis XIV took sun as symbol of his power. Known
  as the Sun King.
  
• The Estates General were representatives from all
  three estates clergy, nobles, and townspeople.
  
• Louis XIV didnt call a meeting of the estates
  general during his entire reign (72 yrs).
  
• Thus it never gained power of the purse (taxes)
  or served as a balance to royal power.
  

5

• Palace of Versailles became perfect symbol of the
  Sun Kings wealth and power. Housed 10,000
  people, was formerly a hunting lodge. Held
  elaborate ceremonies.
• In painting, music, architecture, and decorative
  arts, French styles became model for Europe.
  
• French culture, manners, and customs replaced
  those of Renaissance Italy as standard of taste.
  
• Ballet gained popularity at French court.

6

• Louis XIV wanted to expand French borders and
  dominate Europe.
  
• French army became the strongest in Europe
  (300,000 soldiers), Grand Army.
  
• At first, he gained much territory. Later wars
  were disastrous though as rival rulers joined to
  check his ambitions.
  
• Fight for balance of power was led by Dutch and
  English.
  
• Louis XIV made attempts to unite France and Spain
  when his grandson Philip V inherited Spanish
  throne. Never happened.

7

• (1685) Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes.
• 100,000 Huguenots faced persecution and fled
  France.
  
• Big blunder on Louis part because Huguenots were
  most hard-working and prosperous of Louis
  subjects. This caused a serious blow to French
  economy.
• Louis XIV ruled for 72 yrs, longer than any other
  monarch.
  
• Died in 1715 and outlived grandsons.
• 5 yr old great grandson Louis XV inherited throne
  next.

8

• Years of warfare had drained treasury. Bad
  harvests and heavy taxes added to problems.
  
• Louis XV was too weak of a king to deal with
  these problems.
  
• Neglected his duties by filling hours with
  dancing, hunting, and other pleasures.
  
• Need for reform was growing.