Thirty Years' War and the Rise of French Absolutism

Thirty Years' War

The Thirty Years' War was a sum of conflicts and religious wars. It began in Germany and eventually most European powers intervened. The problem was Hispano-Dutch and religious, political and colonial, with Sweden and Denmark + France vs Spain. It developed in Germany, the Rhine corridors, the Franco-Dutch and Franco-German border, and the colonial high seas.

Richelieu: Domestic Policy

Richelieu strengthened the authority of the monarchy, subjugated the nobles who held excessive power, and dealt with various internal factions by counterbalancing that power with a strong state. He appointed intendants (tax collectors) in the provinces, who held judicial, fiscal and military powers. The nobility conspired and was financed by Spain. Richelieu modified government institutions and created new instruments of government, increasing local administrative controls. The nobility of the robe owed its enrichment to the state. A press and propaganda office created a culture at the service of the monarchy.

Richelieu: Foreign Policy

Richelieu aimed to prevent the Habsburgs from encircling France and to halt their expansion. He waged war against Spain, in which France played a key role, supported by alliances with Portugal and Catalonia. The Peace of the Pyrenees came after his death.

Louis XIV (1638-1715)

Louis XIV died at the age of 43, having established French imperial and Catholic hegemony. He met daily with Mazarin. Spain lost its military hegemony to France, which annexed territories in Flanders, Luxembourg, Alsace and Roussillon; Spain lost subjects, revenues and patrimony. The Grand Tour of France was a necessity to be seen. After Mazarin's death, Louis obtained full sovereignty and established absolute monarchy in France, with a personality and firmness that controlled the central organs of government. He presented himself as God's representative on earth and as infallible.

Foreign Policy: Military Expansionism

His goal was to impose French supremacy in the West. France became the most powerful state, with an expanded army and four expansionist wars:

• War of Devolution (1667-68): France annexed Flanders. Spanish King Charles II was a military walkover for the French.
• Consequences of the Triple Alliance: The Dutch Republic, England and Sweden forced France to accept the Treaty, and some returned territories went back to Spain.
• Franco-Dutch War (1672-78): For commercial motives, France obtained the Franche-Comté from Spain, becoming the leading power in military and maritime commerce.
• War of the Reunions (1683-84): France conquered new lands. Through treaties with the other powers, and later in the War of the Grand Alliance / Augsburg League (1688-97), France had to return most of the territories.