1717thth-18-18thth Century France Century France““The Absolute Monarchy Reigns”

Louis XIIIBorn 1601 - Died 1643

Reigned 1610-1643

•Father was Henry IV – the first Bourbon KingFather was Henry IV – the first Bourbon King•Took throne at age 8 ½ after father’s assassinationTook throne at age 8 ½ after father’s assassination•Mother ruled until he was 13Mother ruled until he was 13

•November 9, 1615, at age 14, was married to a November 9, 1615, at age 14, was married to a Hapsburg Princess, Hapsburg Princess, Anne of AustriaAnne of Austria, daughter of King , daughter of King

Philip III of SpainPhilip III of Spain •Begins construction of Begins construction of VersaillesVersailles in 1624 in 1624

1717thth-18-18thth Century France Century France““The Absolute Monarchy Reigns”

Louis XIV“The Sun King”Born 1638 - Died 1715

Reigned 1643-1715

• Only 4 when father dies so power goes to Cardinal Richelieu (had been advisor to Louis XIII since 1624)

He is known as The Sun King (in French, “Le Roi Soleil”) because it was thought that, just as the planets revolve around the Sun, so too should France and the Court revolve around him.

1717thth-18-18thth Century France Century France““The Absolute Monarchy Reigns”

•When Richelieu dies, power passed to Cardinal Mazarin until his death in 1661

•Cardinals led France to prominence in Europe (especially Richelieu)

•Louis XIV crowned King in 1661 (23 years

old) and marries Maria Teresa – Infanta of Spain

• Voltaire refers to Louis XIV as “L’etate, c’est moi” – “I am the State”• This sums up Louis’ view on absolutism

• Louis takes total control of government, isolated and controlled the nobility by moving them to Versailles in 1682

• Life for nobility was an endless succession of meaningless social rituals centered on honors bestowed by the king

1717thth-18-18thth Century France Century France““The Absolute Monarchy Reigns”

VERSAILLES

VERSAILLES

• Still depended upon advisors, but they no longer came automatically from the nobility – rather, he selected well-qualified people

• Went to war four times from 1667-1715• Depleted treasury• Levied even more taxes on an already poor

citizenry (except nobility)

1717thth-18-18thth Century France Century France““The Absolute Monarchy Reigns”

Louis XV Born 1710 - Died 1774 Reigned 1715 – 1774

• Great-grandson of Louis XIV• Came to throne at age five, married to Maria Leczinska

at age 15, father at age 16• VERY inept leader• Three wars gained some territory from Poland, but lost

North America to Great Britain

1717thth-18-18thth Century France Century France““The Absolute Monarchy Reigns”

Louis XVI Born 1754 - Died 1793 Reigned 1774 – 1793

• Grandson of Louis XV• VERY incompetent, dull-minded, weak ruler – lacked

leadership skills and decision-making capabilities• Didn’t really want to rule, forced to when Louis XV dies• Power greatly limited after 1789 revolution –

Constitutional Monarchy (really just a figurehead)

1717thth-18-18thth Century France Century France““The Absolute Monarchy Reigns”

Louis XVI

• Married to Marie Antoinette of Austria (in some ways she was more of a leader than he was)

• Both were executed after the revolution, during the Reign of Terror

1717thth-18-18thth Century France Century France““The Absolute Monarchy Reigns”

1717thth-18-18thth Century France Century France““The Absolute Monarchy Ends”

1793-1794 The Jacobins Rule under Robespierre* executed July 28, 1794

1794-1799 The Directory (National Convention)

1799-1815 Napolean Bonaparte