The 14th and 15th centuries saw a period of territorial unity in the French monarchy. The strengthening of the power of the monarch and a desire for total unification of French territories led to the Hundred Years War (1337–1453). This was fought between France and England and ended with the expulsion of the English from the continent. France was also where, during the Reformation, religious wars took place between Catholics and the Protestant HuguenoutsHuguenotsHuguenouts, which ended when the Huguenot Henry IV took the throne. In 1598 he issued the Edict of Nantes, which allowed free admission of faith. Henry IV was the first ruler of the Bourbon dynasty.
At the turn of the 15th and 16th centures, within a united and centralised France, there began to develop an authoritarian system known as AbsolutismAbsolutismAbsolutism. At this time, the First Ministers who supported the king played a special role in government. One of these was Cardinal Armand de Richelieu, who rules on behalf of King Louis XIII. His policies led to rebellion by the aristocracy, who were gradually marginalised from power. He also limited the rights of the Huguenots, leading to war breaking out, which ended with the Protestants being defeated. To strengthen France's position on the international stage, the Cardinal devoted much time to foreign policy. In alliance with Sweden, he fought against Spain and also took part in the Thirty Years War against the Hapsburgs.
Cardinal Richelieu's successor was Giulio Mazzarini, who carried on the policies of his predecessor. In the years 1648–1653 he suppressed rebellions that broke out in opposition to oppression and new taxes. After Mazzarini's death, King Louis XIV did not appoint a new First Minister and ruled himself. It was during his reign that absolutism in France reached its apogee, with these words attributed to the monarch „I am the State”„I am the state”„I am the State”. Louis XIV gained the nickname of the Sun King because he thought himself the most important person in the country. He introduced laws and passed judgements himself. He did not value the opinions of his representatives from different social strata, therefore he did not convene the Estates GeneralEstates GeneralEstates General (parliament).
The Palace of Versailles became the symbol for the absolute power of Louis XIV, which was his seat. The court etiquette introduced by him has become famous.
The 17th century saw France become more important on the international arena, with Paris becoming a world centre for culture and art. The development of the state had a huge impact upon art, where there was incredible momentum. This was also largely dependent on the preferences of the ruler – Louis XIV, who founded many academies devoted to the arts during his reign.
Task 1
Based on the knowledge you have acquired, do a SWOT analysis for the system of rule of Louis XIV.
Did the Louis XIV's system of governance include the representation of society? Think about what dangers was this system exposed to in case of inept ruler being in power?
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Obraz przedstawiający oficjalny portret Ludwika XIV w stroju koronacyjnym.
The official portrait of Louis XIV in coronation attire. It was painted in 1701 by Hyacinthe Rigaud (1659-1743). Currently, the painting is in the Louvre.
Source: Hyacinthe Rigaud, domena publiczna.
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Exercise 1
Connect the ideas and definitions into pairs. Absolutism Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. a form of government where the monarch has absolute power., 2. parliament in France., 3. a political movement in France, in the mid-seventeenth century, who were opposed to the king., 4. followers of Calvinism in France in the 16th and 17th centuries., 5. special officials in France who were sent to the provinces by the king., 6. words attibuted to Louis XIV, which were supposed to have been said by him in 1686. They were connected to the period of the fronda, the last attempt to oppose absolutism in France. Louis's words were to emphasise his authority and unshakable attitude to rebellion. Fronde Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. a form of government where the monarch has absolute power., 2. parliament in France., 3. a political movement in France, in the mid-seventeenth century, who were opposed to the king., 4. followers of Calvinism in France in the 16th and 17th centuries., 5. special officials in France who were sent to the provinces by the king., 6. words attibuted to Louis XIV, which were supposed to have been said by him in 1686. They were connected to the period of the fronda, the last attempt to oppose absolutism in France. Louis's words were to emphasise his authority and unshakable attitude to rebellion. Huguenots Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. a form of government where the monarch has absolute power., 2. parliament in France., 3. a political movement in France, in the mid-seventeenth century, who were opposed to the king., 4. followers of Calvinism in France in the 16th and 17th centuries., 5. special officials in France who were sent to the provinces by the king., 6. words attibuted to Louis XIV, which were supposed to have been said by him in 1686. They were connected to the period of the fronda, the last attempt to oppose absolutism in France. Louis's words were to emphasise his authority and unshakable attitude to rebellion. Intendants Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. a form of government where the monarch has absolute power., 2. parliament in France., 3. a political movement in France, in the mid-seventeenth century, who were opposed to the king., 4. followers of Calvinism in France in the 16th and 17th centuries., 5. special officials in France who were sent to the provinces by the king., 6. words attibuted to Louis XIV, which were supposed to have been said by him in 1686. They were connected to the period of the fronda, the last attempt to oppose absolutism in France. Louis's words were to emphasise his authority and unshakable attitude to rebellion. "I am the State" Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. a form of government where the monarch has absolute power., 2. parliament in France., 3. a political movement in France, in the mid-seventeenth century, who were opposed to the king., 4. followers of Calvinism in France in the 16th and 17th centuries., 5. special officials in France who were sent to the provinces by the king., 6. words attibuted to Louis XIV, which were supposed to have been said by him in 1686. They were connected to the period of the fronda, the last attempt to oppose absolutism in France. Louis's words were to emphasise his authority and unshakable attitude to rebellion. Estates General Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. a form of government where the monarch has absolute power., 2. parliament in France., 3. a political movement in France, in the mid-seventeenth century, who were opposed to the king., 4. followers of Calvinism in France in the 16th and 17th centuries., 5. special officials in France who were sent to the provinces by the king., 6. words attibuted to Louis XIV, which were supposed to have been said by him in 1686. They were connected to the period of the fronda, the last attempt to oppose absolutism in France. Louis's words were to emphasise his authority and unshakable attitude to rebellion.
Connect the ideas and definitions into pairs. Absolutism Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. a form of government where the monarch has absolute power., 2. parliament in France., 3. a political movement in France, in the mid-seventeenth century, who were opposed to the king., 4. followers of Calvinism in France in the 16th and 17th centuries., 5. special officials in France who were sent to the provinces by the king., 6. words attibuted to Louis XIV, which were supposed to have been said by him in 1686. They were connected to the period of the fronda, the last attempt to oppose absolutism in France. Louis's words were to emphasise his authority and unshakable attitude to rebellion. Fronde Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. a form of government where the monarch has absolute power., 2. parliament in France., 3. a political movement in France, in the mid-seventeenth century, who were opposed to the king., 4. followers of Calvinism in France in the 16th and 17th centuries., 5. special officials in France who were sent to the provinces by the king., 6. words attibuted to Louis XIV, which were supposed to have been said by him in 1686. They were connected to the period of the fronda, the last attempt to oppose absolutism in France. Louis's words were to emphasise his authority and unshakable attitude to rebellion. Huguenots Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. a form of government where the monarch has absolute power., 2. parliament in France., 3. a political movement in France, in the mid-seventeenth century, who were opposed to the king., 4. followers of Calvinism in France in the 16th and 17th centuries., 5. special officials in France who were sent to the provinces by the king., 6. words attibuted to Louis XIV, which were supposed to have been said by him in 1686. They were connected to the period of the fronda, the last attempt to oppose absolutism in France. Louis's words were to emphasise his authority and unshakable attitude to rebellion. Intendants Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. a form of government where the monarch has absolute power., 2. parliament in France., 3. a political movement in France, in the mid-seventeenth century, who were opposed to the king., 4. followers of Calvinism in France in the 16th and 17th centuries., 5. special officials in France who were sent to the provinces by the king., 6. words attibuted to Louis XIV, which were supposed to have been said by him in 1686. They were connected to the period of the fronda, the last attempt to oppose absolutism in France. Louis's words were to emphasise his authority and unshakable attitude to rebellion. "I am the State" Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. a form of government where the monarch has absolute power., 2. parliament in France., 3. a political movement in France, in the mid-seventeenth century, who were opposed to the king., 4. followers of Calvinism in France in the 16th and 17th centuries., 5. special officials in France who were sent to the provinces by the king., 6. words attibuted to Louis XIV, which were supposed to have been said by him in 1686. They were connected to the period of the fronda, the last attempt to oppose absolutism in France. Louis's words were to emphasise his authority and unshakable attitude to rebellion. Estates General Możliwe odpowiedzi: 1. a form of government where the monarch has absolute power., 2. parliament in France., 3. a political movement in France, in the mid-seventeenth century, who were opposed to the king., 4. followers of Calvinism in France in the 16th and 17th centuries., 5. special officials in France who were sent to the provinces by the king., 6. words attibuted to Louis XIV, which were supposed to have been said by him in 1686. They were connected to the period of the fronda, the last attempt to oppose absolutism in France. Louis's words were to emphasise his authority and unshakable attitude to rebellion.
Connect the ideas and definitions into pairs.
a form of government where the monarch has absolute power., followers of Calvinism in France in the 16th and 17th centuries., words attibuted to Louis XIV, which were supposed to have been said by him in 1686. They were connected to the period of the fronda, the last attempt to oppose absolutism in France. Louis's words were to emphasise his authority and unshakable attitude to rebellion., parliament in France., a political movement in France, in the mid-seventeenth century, who were opposed to the king., special officials in France who were sent to the provinces by the king.
„Państwo to ja” – (fr. L'État, c'est moi) słowa przypisywane Ludwikowi XIV, które miały być wypowiedziane przez niego w 1686 r. Wiąże się je z czasami frondy, będącej ostatnią próbą przeciwstawienia się absolutyzmowi we Francji. Słowa Ludwika XIV miały podkreślić potęgę jego władzy i niewzruszoną postawę wobec buntu.
