 Louis XIII was the oldest son of Henry IV  Louis XIII ascended to the throne at the age of 8 after his father was assassinated  His mother, Marie de Medici, ruled for him until he turned 15 (rebelled against mom)

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 When Louis XIII came to power, he filled his administration with loyal friends  He executed people who were loyal to his mother  In 1624, Cardinal Richelieu would play a key part in Louis XIII’s administration for 18 years

 French Chief Minister

 His chief goal was to check the power of the Hapsburg Empire  He was a Catholic Cardinal, but was not afraid to make pacts with Protestant rulers  He oversaw the fighting of the Thirty Years War

 Cardinal Richelieu had to raise taxes in order to pay for the Thirty Years War  A tax was raised on salt and on land  However, most of the burden fell on the poor, while the Clergy and Nobility found loopholes

 He censored the press  Had internal spies  Executed those who rebelled

 Cardinal Richelieu died 5 months before Louis XIII  Cardinal Richelieu was followed by Cardinal Mazarin and Louis XIII was followed by Louis XIV  France is on its way to becoming the strongest country in Europe