The Rise of Absolute Monarchy in France

1589-1715

France

Weak monarchy before 17th centuryPowerful nobles rule parts of FranceBourbon Dynasty begins centralization of France

The Rise of Absolute Monarchy in France

Henry IV becomes King of France in 1589, Beginning of Bourbon DynastyConflict between King and NobilityBegan creating a centralized governmentHenry IV was assassinated in 1610

The Rise of Absolute Monarchy in France

Louis XIII becomes king at the age of 9Cardinal Richelieu runs the countryLouis XIII dies in 1643

The Rise of Absolute Monarchy in France

Louis XIV becomes king in 1643Cardinal Mazarin in charge during his minorityMazarin continues policy of RichelieuThe Fronde (1649 and 1652)Louis XIV takes over after Mazarin’s death in 1661

Louis XIV (1643-1715)

The Rise of Absolute Monarchy in France

Louis XIV controls the nobilityHe builds up the bureaucracy French military modernized Louis XIV revokes the Edict of Nantes in 1685

The Edict of Nantes, issued on 13 April 1598, by Henry IV of France, granted the Calvinist Protestants of France (also known as Huguenots) substantial rights in a nation still considered essentially Catholic. In the Edict Henry aimed primarily to promote civil unity.

The later revocation of the Edict of Nantes in October 1685 by Louis XIV, the grandson of Henry IV, drove an exodus of Protestants, and increased the hostility of Protestant nations bordering France.

The Rise of Absolute Monarchy in France

Louis XIV brings France into wars to advance its position in Europe Wars of the Devolution (1667-1668)

France vs. Holland, England, and Sweden Invasion of the Netherlands 1672-1678 War of the League of Augsburg (1688-

1697) France vs. League of Augsburg (England,

Spain, Sweden, Holand, German states)

Louis XIV (1643-1715)

The Rise of Absolute Monarchy in France

The War of the Spanish Succession The King of Spain dies in 1700 Louis XIV’s grandson to inherit Spain and its

colonies England, Holland, and the Holy Roman

Empire form Grand Alliance against Louis XIV

War ends in stalemate in 1713 Louis XIV dies in 1715, his great-grandson,

Louis XV succeeds

Conclusion

Constitutional Monarchy develops in England after struggles between King and Parliament

Absolutism established in France after long process of centralization