5.2 The Reign of Louis XIV

Edict of Nantes

a 1598 declaration in which the French king Henry IV promised that Protestants could live in peace in France and could set up houses of worship in some French cities

Cardinal Richelieu

Chief minister of France who reduced the power of the nobles

Skepticism

the idea that nothing can ever be known for certain

Louis XIV

(1638-1715) Known as the Sun King, he was an absolute monarch that completely controlled France. One of his greatest accomplishments was the building of the palace at Versailles.

intendant

A French government official appointed by the monarch to collect taxes and administer justice

Jean Baptiste Colbert

Minister of finance to Louis XIV; he supported mercantilism and tried to make France economically self-sufficient. Brought prosperity to France.

War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1713)

a conflict in which a number of European states fought to prevent the Bourbon family from controlling Spain as well as France.

After King Henry II of France died, how many of his 4 sons ruled?

3 but were weak

Who was the more powerful successor following King Henry II's death?

His wife, Catherine de Medis

Catherine de Medici

(1547-1589) The wife of Henry II (1547-1559) of France, who exercised political influence after the death of her husband and during the rule of her weak sons.

Huguenots

French Protestants (Calvinists)

Which group did Huguenots conflict with?

Catholics

How many religious wars were fought between 1562-1598?

8

Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre (1572)

thousands of French Huguenots and other Protestants killed at wedding of Henry of Navarre and Catherine's daughter; lasted 6 weeks

Who inherited the throne after Catherine Medici and her last son's death?

Prince Henry IV

Henry IV of France

inherited France in bad condition, cared about his people, lowers taxes, achieves peace, commissioned Edict of Nantes, gave Huguenots religious liberty

Why did Henry IV convert to Catholicism?

To bring peace and unity to France

What was Henry IV devoted to?

Rebuilding France and it's prosperity to restore French monarchy

How did Henry IV die?

(1610) He was assassinated in his carriage by Protestant rebels

Who ruled after Henry IV?

His weak son, Louis XIII

In 1624, who did Louis XIII appoint as his minister?

Cardinal Richelieu

what did Cardinal Richelieu do to strengthen the power of Bourbon monarchs?

- moved against Huguenots (no walls for Protestant cities)

- weakened nobles power (no fortified castles)

What did Cardinal Richelieu want France to become?

The strongest EU state

Hapsburg

a royal German family that provided rulers for several European states and wore the crown of the Holy Roman Empire from 1440 to 1806

What was an obstacle to France?

The Hapsburgs land surrounding Spain

Why was France involved in the Thirty Years War?

To limit Hapsburg

Why did skeptics think doubting old ideas helped?

the truth

Michel de Montaigne

(1533-1592), introduced early modern skepticism, developed the essay to express his thoughts and ideas

Rene Descartes

Father of modern philosophy

Who was the Sun King?

King Louis XIV

"L'etat, c'est moi"

I am the state

How old was Louis XIV when he became king?

4 years old

Cardinal Mazarin

(1602-1661), Successor of Cardinal Richelieu and his bad attempts to increase royal revenue and the state lead to the Fronde; ran the government while Louis VIII was still a child

Why did nobles hate Cardinal Mazarin?

He raised taxes and strengthened classical government

1648-1653 what threatened the king?

violent anti-Mazarin riots; made king strong through fear

Why did the rebellion against Louis XIV fail?

- leaders didn't trust each other

- government used violent suppression

- townspeople tired of fighting

Why did Louis XIV take over at 22?

Cardinal Mazarin died in 1661

Why did Louis XIV exclude nobles from councils?

to weaken their power

mercantilism

belief in the benefits of profitable trading; commercialism

How did Louis XIV try to make France self sufficient?

- giving government funds

- tax benefits to French companies

- raised taxes on international goods

- encouraged people to migrate from France to Canadian colonies (fur trade)

fur trade

European powers sought to capitalize on popularity of fur in Europe; involved trade with Indians

What happened after the Edict of Nantes was cancelled in 1685?

Huguenots fled

Describe King Louis XIV's lifestyle?

lavish- 500 cooks, waiters, and servants

Who did Louis XIV make dress him?

nobles; only 4 would get to put on his slippers/ hold sleeves

Where did lesser nobles wait while Louis XIV dressed?

In the hall, hoping for acknowledgement

Versailles

Palace constructed by Louis XIV outside of Paris to glorify his rule and subdue the nobility.

What did the palace of Versailles raise?

Royal authority and the power of intendents

intendents

Government agents used by Louis XIV who collected taxes and administered justice

How many yards long is Versailles?

500

What two fine arts did Louis XIV popularize? why?

opera and ballet; to glorify king and promote values that support absolute rule

During King Louis XIV's rule, which EU country was the most powerful?

France

During King Louis XIV's rule, how large was the French population and army?

20 million citizens; army was 4x England and 10x Dutch

In 1667, where did Louis XIV gain 12 towns?

Spanish Netherlands

Where did Louis XIV personally lead his army in 1672?

Dutch Netherlands

William of Orange

Dutch prince invited to be king of England after The Glorious Revolution. Joined League of Augsburg as a foe of Louis XIV.

League of Augsburg

This was a military alliance that was created in 1689 by all of the major European nations except for France. The purpose of the alliance was to prevent France from dominating Europe. (Austrian Hapsburg emperor, Kings of Spain/Sweden).

What made France weak/suffer?

- poor harvest

- constant warfare

Who took the Spanish throne after Charles V in 1700? Why?

No heir; 16 yr old Philip of Anjou (Louis XIV grandson)

What happened after Philip took rule of Spain?

2 large powers controlled by Bourbon family

In 1701, what countries joined to stop Spain/France in the War of Spanish Succession?

England, Austria, Dutch, Portugal, German/Italy city-states

Treaty of Utrecht (1714)

The treaty that ended the War of Spanish Succession and stopped Louis XIV's attempts to gain more land for France, defending the balance of power.

Gibraltar

Fortress taken by Great Britain from Spain that controlled entrance to Mediterranean.

Who was the winner of the War of Spanish Succession?

Britain

After the War of Spanish Succession, what did Spain grant Britain?

the right to send slaves to colonies

What lands did France give Britain after the War of Spanish Succession? What did Austria take?

Nova Scotia and Hudson Bay; the Spanish Netherlands

Once Louis XIV reached old age, what did he realize?

War hurt France and he regret

What happened when Louis XIV died (1715)?

French people rejoiced

What were the positives of Louis XIV's rule?

- ranked above in art, literature, and statesmanship

- military leader of EU

- strong empire of colonies

- resources/goods for trade

statesmanship

the qualities, abilities, or methods of a statesman; skill in handling public affairs

What were the negatives of Louis XIV's rule?

- constant warfare and construction of Versailles caused FR debt

- tax abuse on the poor plagued heirs and caused revolt