France

Henry IV

Good king, popular for lowering taxes, building roads Was Protestant (Huguenot), but converted to Catholicism to end religious wars in France “Paris is well worth a mass” Issued the Edict of Nantes in 1598 Gave religious freedom to Huguenots Assassinated in 1610 by a Catholic fanatic

Henry IV Repaired France: Built roads, bridges Improved farming Reduced the influence of nobles

Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu

Louis XIII ( ) – 9 yrs old when he became king. Cardinal Richelieu served as Chief Minister and expanded absolute power. Curbed the power of the nobles and Huguenots. Developed a network of spies and crushed conspiracies quickly.

Richelieu “Where the interests of the state are concerned, God absolves actions which, if privately committed, would be a crime”

Cardinal Mazarin and the Fronde Richelieu was followed by Mazarin. He was a foreigner and intensely disliked by the French people. His attempts to increase taxes led to the Fronde. ( ) Uprisings by the nobles and peasants

Cardinal Mazarin

King Louis XIV

When Mazarin died in 1661, Louis XIV (who took throne at 5) was 23 and declared he would rule alone. The Fronde was very influential in shaping L14’s attitude toward the nobles and his own rule. Ruling from (72 years), he became the longest reigning European monarch in history.

Louis XIV – “L’etat c’est moi”

An Absolute Monarch The Sun King—earth revolves around the sun Built Palace of Versailles and forced nobles to live there Limited nobles through rituals like the levee and his use of intendants (rd. pg. 150) Built up the French army (300,000) and fought numerous wars Revoked the Edict of Nantes “One King, One Faith, One Law”

Versailles Construction began in 1660 and wasn’t completed until Intended to overawe subjects and impress foreign powers. Used elaborate ceremonies here to distract the nobles and royal princes. Active involvement was a prerequisite to offices, titles, and pensions they wanted.

Louis’s Death and Legacy France: great and powerful (culture) Bankrupted the country with war. Died in 1715 of gangrene. Outlived all of his own children and grandchildren. His great-grandson became L15.

Peter the Great