State Building: Absolutism and Constitutionalism 9/9/25

Henry IV (France reigned 1589–1610)

First Bourbon king of France who restored stability after the Wars of Religion issued the Edict of Nantes to grant religious toleration to Protestants (Huguenots) and laid foundations for absolute monarchy

Cardinal Richelieu

Chief minister under Louis XIII who strengthened royal authority by weakening the nobility and Huguenots expanded bureaucracy through intendants and advanced absolutist policies

Parlement

French law courts (not like Parliament in England) that often resisted royal policies but were eventually brought under tighter royal control

Divine Right

Doctrine that kings ruled by God’s will and were accountable only to God not their subjects which served as a central justification for absolutism

Louis XIV (reigned 1643–1715)

Known as the “Sun King” and epitome of absolutist monarchy who built Versailles centralized power controlled nobility expanded standing armies and revoked the Edict of Nantes

The Fronde (1648–1653)

Series of noble-led revolts against royal centralization during Louis XIV’s childhood whose failure convinced Louis to strengthen absolutism

Intendants

Royal officials appointed by the crown to enforce laws collect taxes and weaken local noble power which became a key tool of absolutist centralization

Jean-Baptiste Colbert

Finance minister for Louis XIV who promoted mercantilism built up the French economy and infrastructure and increased state revenues to support absolutism

Edict of Nantes (1598 revoked 1685)

Issued by Henry IV granting religious toleration to Protestants which was later revoked by Louis XIV leading to persecution and Huguenot emigration

Charles I (reigned 1625–1649)

Monarch who clashed with Parliament over taxation and religion tried to rule without it and was executed after losing the English Civil War

English Civil War (1642–1649)

Conflict between supporters of Charles I (Royalists) and Parliamentarians led largely by Puritans which resulted in Parliament’s victory and the execution of Charles I

Puritans / Oliver Cromwell

Radical Protestant reformers who sought to purify the Church of England and Cromwell who led the Parliamentary army and later ruled as Lord Protector in a republican government

The “Glorious Revolution” (1688)

Overthrow of James II in favor of William and Mary which established the supremacy of Parliament and created a constitutional monarchy

William and Mary

Rulers invited by Parliament after James II who accepted the English Bill of Rights which limited royal power and strengthened parliamentary authority