Répand Comme Une Flamme Sauvage Soon after the Protestant Reformation began in Germany, it spread to France. (think geography) By 1560’s one in ten people in France were French Calvinist Protestants (also known as Huguenots) A large population of the Huguenots consisted of noble families and threatened the Catholic French monarchy. Translation: “spreading like wildfire””

Religion Matters! Absolutism and France Why did the streets of Paris run with blood? It was August 24, 1572, the Catholic feast of St. Bartholomew. Many Protestant nobles were in Paris for the wedding of Henry of Navarre, a Protestant nobleman, to Marguerite de Valois, a Catholic princess. The marriage was supposed to calm the hostilities between Catholics and Protestants that had been tearing France apart.

BUT…. Just two days before, 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!!!!!

un roi, une loi, une foi One King, One Law, One Religion (faith) August 24th, 1572 St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre From Paris the violence spread to other parts of France. Estimates of the death toll range from 10,000 – 70,000.

What happened to the groom? Well, Henry of Navarre escaped death by denying his religion. Years later, he was in line to become king. He won acceptance by converting to Catholicism and was crowned Henry IV.

Spread the Love In 1593 Henry of Navarre became Henry IV He was able to gain acceptance from France by converting from Protestantism to Catholicism “Paris is well worth a Mass” Even though he was a newly affiliated Catholic, Henry didn’t forget his religious roots. Henry issued the Edict of Nantes.

Prince Charming In addition to encouraging religious tolerance, Henry IV also eliminated France’s debt and was able to build a surplus. He also drained swamps, built roads and canals and encouraged agriculture.

Thus Ends Henry IV Henry is assassinated by a Catholic

It’s A Bullet! It’s a Plane, No It’s Superman! In 1624 , Louis XIII appointed Cardinal Richelieu as his chief minister and most trusted adviser. Sought to destroy the Huguenots and the Nobility two groups that did not bow to royal authority Created Reason Of The State

Louis XIV Considered history’s best example of an absolute monarch “I am the state”, “L’etat c’est moi” Demanded to be in charge of the: Military Political Affairs Economic Affairs Being in control of all of these areas deprived the nobility of influence

No more tolerance Louis XIV evokes the Edict of Nantes Over 200,000 French Protestants fled, loss of their skills and wealth. Similar to Spain’s expulsion of the Jews and Muslims Battle of Rockroy Most powerful army

Spanish Succession The most COSTLY war, War of Spanish Succession, started when the King of Spain died without an heir 1701, England, Netherlands, Holy Roman Empire went to war against France, to prevent the combining forces of France and Spain

1713 Treaty of Utrecht Louis accepts defeat, but his grandson got the Spanish throne anyway. Stated France and Spain could never be ruled by the same Monarch War benefitted England at the expense of France and Spain

Versailles