In the 14th and 15th century France underwent several difficulties: War Disease Famine Religious division

As feudal government was unable to deal with these issues a new worldview started to evolve.

This was known as the Renaissance (rebirth) This was a rediscovery of the ancient

beliefs of the Greeks and Romans. This led to a shift in the way political

decisions were madeThe semi-independent feudal lords

now started to become answerable to a centralized power.

The shift in government was based on several beliefs

These were characterized in The Prince by Nicolo Machiavelli He believed that men were basically evil

and required strong leadership to civilize society.

Women began to become more subservient (serving or acting in a lesser capacity)to their husbands and fathers.

Women were removed from all power positions.

In France the centralization of power under the king was overseen by the Cardinal Richelieu, the King’s chief minister

Richelieu would resort to extreme measures to centralize power

Louis XIII (13th) became an absolute monarch

Cardinal Mazarin

▪ Louis XiV

In 1643 Louis XIII(13th) died and his five year old son became King Louis XIV. (14th) Louis was too young to rule so power was held by his mother and Cardinal Mazarin. The nobles took this opportunity to challenge

the growing power of the monarchy

An armed rebellion by the nobles against the monarchy

It involved a series of civil wars in France between 1648 and 1653.

This civil war lasted twelve years and would be the last attempt by the nobles to challenge the king

The nobles were upset about the rising taxes

After the war Louis was determined to never share power again

At the age of 23 Louis XIV assumed full power as King of France.

He reigned for 72 years, 54 of them he personally controlled the French government

He embarked on a series of expensive projects: Wars in Europe The Palace of Versailles

Under his rule he denied the nobles the ancient right of advising the king

Middle class (common) bureaucrats were selected to advice the kingHe created a secret police to root out any disloyaltyLouis even refused to call the Estates General

He was unable to raise money to cover his spending

He was unable to accept religious diversity in France

Read Pg. 392 – 395 in your textbook.Answer the focus questions on pg.

392Answer section review questions 1- 4

on pg. 395 I will check homework next class.