French Absolutism
In 17th century France, each ruler had very different tactics for gaining and maintaining power. Regardless to the extent of power, each ruler used some absolutist methods in his reign. Although his predecessors are responsible for their own forms of absolutism through politics and war, economics, and religion, Louis XIV was most responsible for the development of the French absolutist state. For many rulers, the situation in which they start already has problems. In 1589, Henry IV inherited the crown and with that, civil wars. The state of France was very weak at the time: terrible harvests and near starvation, great depopulation, and poor commercial activity. At the time of his crowning, nobles, officials, merchants and peasants wanted peace, order, and stability. Henry provided this as a unique ruler who actually cared about his people, which proved important to absolutism because of the trust the people had in their ruler. Henry appointed the devout Protestant Maximilien de Bethune, duke of Sully, as his chief minister. With the effective actions of Sully, public order in France was restored in only twelve years. Besides a small successful war with Savoy in 1601, Henry maintained peace. After the death of Henry IV i
The contrasts among French absolutist leaders was also apparent in their approach to the economy. The religious tolerance was only suppose to be temporary. To show off his power, Louis participated in many wars. Religion also played a major factor in control. Things were not going well for Louis until he named Colbert the controller general of finances. Also, religious liberty was not a popular policy at the time. Henry IV converted to Catholicism for better relations with the Pope. In Henry's decision, he gave money to each of the protestant cities to protect themselves. Under the influence of Sully, Henry IV accomplished many economic achievements. In 1685 Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes. With the death of Henry, and the division of France into generalites, a new system was adopted. Also, indirect taxes were placed salt, sales and transit. His first action was leading men into Holland, which was fought off by the Dutch flooding the countryside. Reforms such as this, and the building of a country-wide highway system proved Henry's rule to be very progressive, and in only twelve years restored social order and laid the foundations for economic prosperity. He required all the great nobility of France, under all circumstances, to come live at Versailles for at least part of the year.
Common topics in this essay:
Louis XIII,
Sun King,
Henry IV,
Edict Nantes,
Cardinal Richelieu,
Louis XIV,
,
Indies Reforms,
Protestant Maximilien,
Louis IV,
louis xiv,
henry iv,
louis xiii,
edict nantes,
french absolutist,
economics religion louis,
major factor,
economics religion,
repression huguenots,
religion louis,
total power,
religion louis xiv,
campaign repression huguenots,
|
Acceptance Essays
