1. The Rise of Absolute Monarchy in France

2. France Weak monarchy before 17th century
Powerful nobles rule parts of France
Bourbon Dynasty begins centralization of France

3. RELIGIOUS CONFLICT NOBLES
Were Huguenots, Protestants. Think Protestant Reformation.
Were a threat to the King.
THE MONARCHY
“One king, one law, one religion”
Monarchs were Catholic.
Had to deal with the “Nobles Problem” in order to have total (absolute) power.

4. The Rise of Absolute Monarchy in France
Henry IV becomes King of France in 1589,
Beginning of Bourbon Dynasty
Conflict between King and Nobility
Signed the Edict of Nantes allowing Huguenots to have “freedom of worship”. Why???
Began creating a centralized government
Henry IV was assassinated in 1610

5. The Rise of Absolute Monarchy in France
Louis XIII becomes king at the age of 9
Cardinal Richelieu runs the country
Louis XIII dies in 1643

6. The Rise of Absolute Monarchy in France
Louis XIV becomes king in 1643
Cardinal Mazarin in charge during his Louis’ early years
Mazarin continues policy of Richelieu
Louis XIV takes over after Mazarin’s death in 1661

7. Louis XIV ( )
“The Sun King”

8. Rise to “Absolute Power”
Louis XIV controls the nobility
He builds up the bureaucracy
French military modernized
Louis XIV revokes the Edict of Nantes in 1685
Louis XIV brings France into wars to advance its position in Europe

9. Louis XIV ( )

10. Lifestyle
Lived a lavish life funded by heavy taxes on most of his subjects
Most of his subjects lived in poverty with barely enough to eat

11. Palace of Versailles Became the French capital Built 1671-1682 by
12 miles outside of Paris
Really angered the “peasants”
Built by
King Louis XIV
Shows how out of touch and
insincere King Louis XIV was
towards his subjects

12. King Louis XIV (“The Sun King”)
Believed in Divine Right: Believed God anointed him king so he was only responsible to answer to God, not to his subjects

13. Conclusion
Constitutional Monarchy develops in England after struggles between King and Parliament
Absolutism established in France after long process of centralization