Transcript The Reign of Louis XIV - Hackettstown School District

The Reign of Louis
XIV
Chapter 21, Section 2
Essential Questions:
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What were the origins of the Bourbon dynasty?
How did religious differences in France lead to
conflict
How did Louis XIV consolidate power in order
to become the absolute ruler of France?
What was the legacy of Louis XIV?
Religious Wars and Power Struggles
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Henry of Navarre
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Henry, who was a French
Calvinist (Huguenot) ascends
to French throne in 1589 and
converts to Catholicism
ending the religious wars.
Becomes Henry IV- the first
king of the Bourbon Dynasty
Issues Edict of Nantes—a
declaration of religious
toleration- designed to heal
the religious divisions that
existed within France
Henry IV- Was unfortunately stabbed and
killed by a religious fanatic in 1610
Religious Wars and Power Struggles
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Louis XIII was a weak king, but :
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Appoints Cardinal Richelieu in 1624 as
minister who rules France. He was
ambitious and enjoyed his authority.
Increases power of the Bourbons by
limiting Huguenots’ freedom
Also weakens power of the nobility by
having them take down their fortified
castles. He also relied upon
government agents from the middle
class rather than from the nobility.
He also involved France in the Thirty
Years War in order to thwart Habsburg
power (but more on that later…)
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Picture of Louis
XIII, oh la la….
Writers Turn Toward Skepticism
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A New Attitude
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Skepticism—the idea that nothing can be known for
certain. It resulted from those who were horrified by
groups that claimed to be the only ones with a
correct set of doctrines.
Montaigne and Descartes
Montaigne explores ideas about life’s meaning in
essays.
 Descartes uses observation and reason to create new
philosophy and help develop scientific method.
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Louis XIV Comes to Power
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A New French Ruler
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Louis XIV was the most powerful
ruler in French history, calling
himself the Sun King
Louis the Boy King (age 5)
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Hatred of Cardinal Mazarin, Louis’
minister while he was a boy, lead to
riots, mainly from the nobility. It
was referred to as the Time of the
Fronde (1648-1653). Louis felt
humiliated by the nobility.
As a result, Louis grew up hating the
nobility, determined to consolidate
all power unto himself
Louis Weakens the Nobles
Authority
After
Cardinal Mazarin died, Louis took control of the
government in 1661 at the age of 22 years old.
He appointed intendants—government agents—to
collect taxes (taking this power out of the hands of the
nobility).
Louis took the sun as the symbol of his absolute power
and was often quoted as saying, “L’etat, c’est moi”—“I am
the state.” He believed just like the sun everything revolved
around him.
During his 72-year reign, Louis did not once call a meeting
of the Estates General.
Estates General
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Estates General
Similar to Parliament, but not a standing body
 Representatives from each of the 3 classes of French
society
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1st Estate - Clergy
2nd Estate – Nobles
3rd Estate – Everyone else
bourgeoisie, artists, farmers, Peasants, city workers
Economics
Economic Growth
Jean Baptiste Colbert—finance minister—
helps the economy grow. He believes in
mercantilism (the idea that France could be
self-sufficient through manufacturing its
own goods and creating high tariffs on
imported goods).
In 1685, Louis cancels Edict of Nantes;
Huguenots flee France, including
thousands of artisans and business people.
This robbed France of many skilled
workers.
The Sun King’s Grand Style
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A Life of Luxury
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Louis lives very well, with every meal a feast.
Louis Controls the Nobility
Louis keeps nobles at palace to increase his power
over them.
 Builds magnificent palace at Versailles
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Patronage of the Arts
Versailles is a center of arts during reign of Louis
XIV
 Purpose of the arts is to glorify Louis
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France
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Palace of Versailles pictures
Louis turned a hunting lodge into a ¼ mile 1300
room Palace.
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As many as 10,000 people lived there (keep your
friends close and your enemies closer!)
Used Palace as a way of lessening the power of
the nobles
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The palace was proof of his absolute power
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In 2003, it cost an estimated $2.5 billion to build
Levee ceremony
Panoramic view of Versailles Palace
Another view of Versailles Palace
The Versailles Palace Today
Drawing of Versailles from above
Queen’s Bed Chamber
Louis Fights Disastrous Wars
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Attempts to Expand France’s Boundaries
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Louis fights wars in the 1660s and 1670s to expand
France.
1667-Invades Spanish Netherlands (successful).
 1672-Invades Dutch Netherlands (not as successful).
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In 1680s, fearing Louis’ growing power, many
countries unite against him in League of Augsburg
 France is weakened by poor harvests, warfare, and
high taxes.
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Louis Fights Disastrous Wars
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War of Spanish Succession
Cause:
Spain’s Habsburg king, Charles II, dies with no heir. He
promises his throne to Louis XIV’s grandson. Now the
two greatest powers in Europe were now ruled by the
French Bourbons
 Other countries felt threatened by this increase in
Bourbon power
 War of Spanish Succession begins in 1701
 This war attempts to prevent the union of the French
and Spanish throne.
 War ends in 1714; France and Spain lose some
possessions; Great Britain and Austria gain territories
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Louis Fights Disastrous Wars
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Louis’s Death and Legacy
Louis dies leaving mixed legacy
 Rule makes France a major military and cultural
power in Europe
 His wars and palace leave France with heavy debts.
 He creates a lifestyle which following French kings
could not sustain.
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France
SUCCESSES
Louis greatly strengthened royal
power.
The French army became the
strongest in Europe.
France became the wealthiest state
in Europe.
French culture, manners, and
customs became the European
standard.
The arts flourished in France.
FAILURES
Louis engaged in costly wars that
had disastrous results.
Rival rulers joined forces to
check French ambitions.
Louis persecuted the Huguenots,
causing many to flee France.
Their departure was a huge blow
to the French economy.