Ascendance of France

Introduction

France, one of Europe’s most prominent nations, has undergone various transformations through the
centuries, significantly impacting its social, political, and cultural development. The period from Henry IV
to Louis XV was crucial in shaping modern France. Henry IV (1589–1610) emerged from the Wars of
Religion and sought to restore stability to the French throne. Cardinal Richelieu and Cardinal Mazarin
ministers to Louis XIII—ushered in an era of centralization of power. Louis XIV’s reign, lasting over
seventy years, marked the zenith of absolute monarchy in Europe, while Louis XV’s rule saw France begin
to decline, leading to the eventual French Revolution.

This paper will examine the events, policies, and significant figures that led to the ascendancy of France
in Europe, as well as the challenges the nation faced in the 17th and early 18th centuries. It will discuss
how key policies, such as the Edict of Nantes under Henry IV, the centralizing reforms of Richelieu and
Mazarin, Louis XIV's absolutism, and the troubled reign of Louis XV, all contributed to shaping the
trajectory of French power.

(Sources: Sorel, Albert. A History of Modern France. Paris: Hachette, 1895; Luard, H. M. C. T. Richelieu:
The Power of Kings. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992)

1. Succession War and Henry IV (1598–1610)

The transition from the Wars of Religion to relative peace and stability in France under Henry IV is one of
the most significant turning points in French history. The Wars of Religion (1562–1598) had torn France
apart between Catholic and Protestant factions. Henry IV’s ascension in 1589, after the death of the
Catholic King Henry III, symbolized the end of this conflict.

The War of the Three Henrys (1587–1589):The War of the Three Henrys, also known as the French Civil
War, was fought between three claimants to the throne: Henry III of France, Henry of Navarre (who
would later become Henry IV), and Henry of Guise. The war culminated in Henry of Navarre's victory,
which led to his coronation as King Henry IV. His conversion from Protestantism to Catholicism in 1593—
famously saying, "Paris is worth a Mass"—was a pragmatic decision to win over Catholic subjects and
unify the country.

The Edict of Nantes (1598): One of Henry IV's most crucial policies was the Edict of Nantes, which
granted religious tolerance to French Protestants (Huguenots). This edict was a milestone in ending the
Wars of Religion, guaranteeing Protestants religious freedom and civil rights while preserving Catholicism
as the official religion. Henry's ability to consolidate power, even as a Protestant ruler in a predominantly
Catholic country, was instrumental in stabilizing France. The edict allowed for political and social peace,
thus paving the way for economic recovery.

Henry’s Economic and Political Reforms: Henry IV implemented reforms aimed at improving the French
economy, especially after the devastation caused by the Wars of Religion. He established roads, canals,
and new industries, which encouraged trade and commerce. He also sought to curb the power of the
nobility and strengthened the monarchy’s control over the country. His administration laid the
foundation for a strong centralized state.

(Sources: Hewins, W. A. S. The History of France. London: Macmillan, 2005; Coulton, Charles. Henry IV of
France: A Political Biography. London: Longmans, Green, 2004; Britannica, "Henry IV,"
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-IV-king-of-France)

2. Richelieu and Mazarin (1624–1661)

The period following Henry IV’s death and the brief reign of his son, Louis XIII, marked the rise of two of
the most influential ministers in French history: Cardinal Richelieu and Cardinal Mazarin. They were
instrumental in shaping French policy and centralizing power, even in the face of internal and external
challenges.

Cardinal Richelieu’s Role: Richelieu, appointed chief minister by Louis XIII in 1624, had a vision of
transforming France into a powerful centralized state. Richelieu pursued policies that diminished the
influence of the French nobility, which had often challenged the monarchy's authority. He strengthened
the central government by asserting royal control over provinces and enforcing laws that curtailed the
power of the nobility.
Richelieu and the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648): Richelieu’s foreign policy was marked by France’s
involvement in the Thirty Years' War, which was primarily a religious conflict between Catholics and
Protestants across Europe. Richelieu, despite being a Catholic, supported the Protestant side in the
conflict to prevent the Habsburgs (rulers of Spain and Austria) from becoming too powerful and
dominating Europe. France’s entry into the war marked the beginning of the decline of Habsburg
influence in Europe, and by the war’s end in 1648, France emerged as one of Europe’s most powerful
nations.

The Fronde (1648–1653): The Fronde was a series of civil wars in France that erupted due to resentment
against royal absolutism. These rebellions, primarily led by the nobility and segments of the parliament,
aimed to curb the power of the monarchy. However, Mazarin, Richelieu’s successor, was able to suppress
the Fronde, reinforcing the monarchy’s absolute power. The Fronde also shaped the future policies of
Louis XIV, who would come to understand that a strong, centralized monarchy was necessary to avoid
civil unrest.

(Sources: Luard, H. M. C. T. Richelieu: The Power of Kings. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992; Article
on Richelieu, Encyclopedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cardinal-Richelieu;
History.com, "Cardinal Richelieu," https://www.history.com/topics/france/cardinal-richelieu)

3. The Age of Louis XIV (1643–1715)

Louis XIV’s reign, lasting over seventy years, represents the pinnacle of absolute monarchy in France and
Europe. His assertion of personal control over the government and his use of extravagant symbolism to
consolidate power reshaped France and left a lasting legacy in European history.

Louis XIV’s Absolutism: Louis XIV believed in the divine right of kings, which held that the king's
authority was ordained by God and not subject to any earthly challenge. His famous declaration, "L'État,
c'est moi" (I am the State), embodied this belief. Under his rule, the French monarchy reached its
absolute zenith. Louis XIV centralized the French state, eliminating many regional powers and asserting
direct control over the nobility.

The Construction of Versailles: Louis XIV transformed the Palace of Versailles into a symbol of his power
and authority. He moved the royal court to Versailles in 1682, turning it into the epicenter of political,
social, and cultural life in France. The elaborate construction of Versailles also served to control the
nobility, who were required to spend a significant amount of time at court, reducing their ability to plot
against the king. The palace became a tool for both political and personal control.

The Wars of Louis XIV: Louis XIV engaged in a series of wars throughout his reign, seeking to expand
French territory and influence. Some of the notable conflicts include the War of Devolution (1667–1668),
the Franco-Dutch War (1672–1678), and the War of Spanish Succession (1701–1714). These wars were
costly for France and strained its resources, yet Louis XIV’s military campaigns elevated France’s status as
a dominant European power.

The Revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685): One of the most controversial actions of Louis XIV’s reign
was the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. This decision to persecute Protestants and close Protestant
churches led to the emigration of many skilled artisans and workers. The economic consequences were
significant, as the loss of Huguenot talent weakened France’s economy.

(Sources: Mansel, Philip. The Sun King: Louis XIV at Versailles. London: Penguin Books, 2006; Mitford,
Nancy. Louis XIV. London: The Folio Society, 2002; Baugh, Daniel A. The War of Spanish Succession.
London: Routledge, 1993; Article on Louis XIV, History.com,
https://www.history.com/topics/france/louis-xiv)

4. Internal and External Policies under Louis XV (1715–1774)

The reign of Louis XV, grandson of Louis XIV, marked the decline of French power and the unraveling of
the centralized state established by his predecessors. Though Louis XV initially inherited a strong state,
his mismanagement of both domestic and foreign affairs led to a series of crises that weakened the
monarchy and laid the groundwork for the French Revolution.

The Regency of Philippe d'Orléans (1715–1723):Upon Louis XV’s ascension to the throne as a child, a
regency was established under Philippe d’Orléans. The regency faced challenges, including efforts to
limit royal power and the influence of the nobility. During the regency, France also experienced a period
of relative peace after the end of the War of Spanish Succession.

Internal Economic Issues: Louis XV inherited a nation burdened by war debts from his grandfather’s
campaigns. The French economy struggled to recover, and there were rising discontent with the tax
burden, which disproportionately fell on the common people. Despite efforts to reform the taxation
system, the monarchy’s inability to address economic inequality contributed to growing unrest.

The Seven Years' War (1756–1763): The Seven Years' War, fought between major European powers, was
disastrous for France. Not only did France lose significant territories in North America (including Canada)
and India to Britain, but the war also exacerbated France’s economic troubles. The defeat in the war
contributed to the weakening of France’s position in global affairs and created further dissatisfaction
with the monarchy.

Decline of Royal Power: The latter part of Louis XV’s reign saw a decline in royal authority. The king’s
inability to manage the kingdom’s finances, coupled with his controversial court life and personal
indifference, alienated both the nobility and the common people. His reign ultimately left France on the
brink of the French Revolution.

(Sources: Gulland, David R. Louis XV. New York: HarperCollins, 1994; Cranston, Maurice. *The Rise and
Fall of France's Political Power. London: Penguin Press, 1980; History.com, "The Seven Years' War,"
https://www.history.com/topics/7-years-war)

5. Ascendancy of France in Europe

The period from Henry IV to Louis XV saw France ascend as the dominant European power. Its political,
military, and cultural influence was at its peak under Louis XIV, though France began to experience
challenges by the time of Louis XV’s reign.

France as a European Power:The reigns of Henry IV, Richelieu, Louis XIII, and Louis XIV helped establish
France as the principal European power. Under Louis XIV, France’s military prowess and influence over
European politics reached its peak. France was central to European affairs and exerted considerable
influence in shaping the continent’s political landscape.

Economic and Cultural Influence: France also dominated European culture during this period. Paris
became the cultural heart of Europe, attracting intellectuals, artists, and philosophers. French art,
literature, and philosophy set the trends across Europe. Figures such as Voltaire and Montesquieu were
pivotal in shaping the intellectual environment that would later fuel the Enlightenment and the
Revolution.
The Decline of French Influence: However, by the time of Louis XV’s reign, France’s political and
economic dominance had begun to wane. The disastrous outcome of the Seven Years' War, the financial
crisis, and rising internal dissatisfaction with royal absolutism set the stage for the collapse of the
monarchy and the onset of the French Revolution in 1789.

(Sources: Cranston, Maurice. The Rise and Fall of France's Political Power. London: Penguin Press, 1980;
Article on French Enlightenment, Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/event/French-Enlightenment;
Article from History.com on The French Revolution, https://www.history.com/topics/france/french-
revolution)

Conclusion

The reigns of Henry IV, Richelieu, Louis XIV, and Louis XV shaped the course of French history, with each
monarch building on the successes and failures of their predecessors. Henry IV's policies brought peace
after the Wars of Religion, Richelieu and Mazarin consolidated royal power, Louis XIV's absolutism
reached unprecedented heights, and Louis XV’s mismanagement paved the way for revolution. France’s
ascendancy in Europe and its decline in the 18th century were driven by a combination of military,
political, and economic factors, with long-lasting effects on French society and European politics.

References

1. Hewins, W. A. S. The History of France. London: Macmillan, 2005.

2. Coulton, Charles. Henry IV of France: A Political Biography. London: Longmans, Green, 2004.

3. Luard, H. M. C. T. Richelieu: The Power of Kings. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992.

4. Mansel, Philip. The Sun King: Louis XIV at Versailles. London: Penguin Books, 2006.

5. Mitford, Nancy. Louis XIV. London: The Folio Society, 2002.

6. Baugh, Daniel A. The War of Spanish Succession. London: Routledge, 1993.

7. Gulland, David R. Louis XV. New York: HarperCollins, 1994.

8. Cranston, Maurice. The Rise and Fall of France's Political Power. London: Penguin Press, 1980.

9. Article from Britannica on Louis XIV. Britannica Online, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-

(Accessed March 6, 2025).

11. Article on French Enlightenment, Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/event/French-

(Accessed March 6, 2025).

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(Accessed March 6, 2025).