Louis XIV “the sun king” Absolute Monarchy in France

Absolute Rule in France Under the Bourbon Family Henry IV 1589 – 1610 Louis XIII 1610 – 1643 – Cardinal Richelieu (chief minister) Louis XIV 1643 – 1715 (The Sun King) – “I am the State”

Coordinating a French Golden Age 1. Henry IV of Navarre a.A Calvinist (Huguenot: French Protestant) b.Involved in the Wars of Religion early in life c.Goal as king of France = he wanted to avoid the problems that plagued Spain, but still wanted to follow the idea of absolutism Accomplishments: Providing religious tolerance: signed the Edict of Nantes – Allowed Protestantism (wants to avoid the religious conflict that Spain experienced)

2. Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu a.Henry IV was assassinated and his heir, Louis XIII, too young to rule b.Richelieu acted as Louis’ chief advisor Goals: 1.Strengthen France and its absolute monarchy 2.Take power from Spain Accomplishments: – Cutting costs: Demolition of Feudal Castles no more upkeep costs/ no more place to hid for rebellious nobles – Increasing education and manufacturing: French Academy (people from different social classes attend)

3. Louis XIV “The Sun King” The Absolute Absolute Monarch a.Takes complete control over state – Refuses to call The Estates General (council of French society) so no check on royal power – Built an efficient bureaucracy b.Economy advisor Jean-Baptiste Colbert makes France rich – Diverse economy, regulates trade

The Sun King’s Accomplishments a.Built a palace (Versailles) as a symbol of his power b.Organizing the economy (Colbert) – Kept tariffs (taxes) on imported goods to limit import – Managed the amount of money in circulation to limit inflation – Built up trade *France expands it’s borders

Steps to Absolutism in France Providing religious tolerance: Edict of Nantes (Henry IV) – Allowed Protestantism Cutting costs: Demolition of Feudal Castles (Louis XIII and Richelieu) – no more upkeep costs Increasing education and manufacturing: French Academy (Louis XIII and Richelieu) Organizing the economy (Louis XIV and Colbert) – Kept tariffs (taxes) on imported goods to limit import – Managed the amount of money in circulation to limit inflation – Built up trade

The Craft of Kingship (craft – an occupation or trade requiring skill) What are the skills of a good absolute monarch according to Louis XIV?

Versailles

Visual Demonstrations of Power during the Age of Absolutism Warm Up Question 1. What are your first impressions of Versailles? 2. What message do you think Louis XIV is trying to send by building Versailles?

Palace of Versailles Grounds

250 acre garden with miles of meticulously laid flower beds. The landscape includes ornamental lakes, dozens of classical statues, and even a small canal! The Apollo Fountain

The Orangerie

Visual Demonstrations of Power Queen’s Chambers

Hall of Mirrors

Compare and Contrast consider: purpose of the buildings, types of rooms or structures in the buildings, cost of the building, culture created or stored in the buildings, size of the buildings El Escorial Versailles

Questions What part of the palace most impressed you? In What way does this palace represent the idea of absolutism?

The Craft of Kingship (craft – an occupation or trade requiring skill) What are the skills of a good absolute monarch according to Louis XIV?

Compare and Contrast Philip II of SpainLouis XIV of France Absolute Ruler

sources episodes/Introduction%20:%20Versailles%20a nd%20Louis%20XIV html episodes/Introduction%20:%20Versailles%20a nd%20Louis%20XIV html