The Sun King
This French monarch, often known as the Sun King, ruled from 1661 to 1715 and symbolized the peak of absolutism in France. He belonged to the famous Bourbon family which would continue to rule France after his death
Who is Louis XIV?
Louis XVI argued that religious toleration would ruin absolute royal power and spark civil war to justify enforcing this policy across France.
What is one unified religion?
During the French Revolution, angry citizens stormed a famous prison in Paris on July 14, 1789, searching for weapons and symbolizing their fight against the king's authority. What was the name of this prison?
What is The Bastille?
A series of rebellions in France during Louis XIV's childhood weakened the power of nobles and convinced the monarchy that stronger royal authority was needed to maintain order. What was this series of rebellions called?
What is The Fronde?
Louis XIV required powerful nobles to spend much of their time at his royal palace, where he could keep an eye on them and prevent them from gaining too much power. What palace did he use to control the French nobility?
What is The Palace of Versailles?
This massive royal palace became the center of French political life and allowed Louis XIV to keep the French nobility close and monitor their behavior. What was it?
What is the Palace of Versailles?
Louis XIV used this belief to assert his authority came directly from God, justifying his use of absolute power and encouraging his citizens to obey him
What is the divine right of kings?
As the French Revolution became more radical, a period of extreme violence occurred when thousands of people accused of being enemies of the Revolution were arrested and executed by guillotine. What was this violent period called?
What is The Reign of Terror?
This event happened in June 1789, when members of the Third Estate found themselves locked out of their meeting room. They gathered in an indoor tennis court and swore they would not separate until France had a constitution. What is this event?
What is the Tennis Court Oath?
Louis XIV weakened the independence of the French nobility by giving government responsibilities to these royal officials, who collected taxes and enforced the king’s policies throughout France. What were they called?
Who is an intendant?
Louis XIV's government became increasingly centralized because he weakened independent noble authority and relied on royal officials to carry out his policies. What type of government did he establish?
What is an absolute monarchy?
This document previously created by Henry IV was revoked in 1685, ending official religious toleration of French Protestants and triggering immense political and social consequences
What is the Edict of Nantes?
This financial problem weakened the French monarchy because the government had accumulated massive debt from wars and extravagant spending. What crisis helped lead to the French Revolution?
France's growing debt forced Louis XVI to call a meeting of representatives for the first time in 175 years. This gave the Third Estate an opportunity to challenge the king's absolute power. What were these events?
What are the Financial Crisis and the First Meeting of the Estates-General?
This French chief minister under Louis XIII weakened the power of the nobility, reduced the influence of Huguenots, and strengthened the monarchy by centralizing royal authority. Who was he?
Who was Cardinal Richelieu?
In 1661, after Cardinal Mazarin died, Louis XIV decided to rule without a chief minister, taking direct control of the government. What type of rule did he establish?
What is personal rule?
Louis XIV believed that religious unity would strengthen his monarchy, so he revoked the Edict of Nantes in 1685. What was the religious group that lost its protections and was driven out of France?
What are Huguenots?
This group of French people, including peasants and workers, became increasingly angry because they faced high taxes, food shortages, and an unfair social system. Who helped drive the French Revolution?
What is the third estate?
This attack by civilian insurgents and workers on a fortress and state political prison occurred on July 14, 1789, transforming from a local riot to a full-scale revolution. This attack would later be popularized as the starting event of the French Revolution.
What is the Storming of the Bastille?
Requiring nobles to live at Versailles weakened their influence over the rest of France because of these two reasons
Despite building one of Europe's strongest monarchies, Louis XIV's expensive wars and construction projects placed France deeply in debt. What was one major weakness of his rule?
What is economic instability and financial debt?
Louis XIV believed that religious unity was necessary to maintain absolute power in France. During his reign, he supported the Catholic Church and took actions against religious groups that did not follow Catholicism. Name TWO ways Louis XIV tried to strengthen Catholicism and limit religious freedom in France.
What is He persecuted the Huguenots and restricted Protestant worship?
This 1792 proclamation by Marie Antoinette’s brother, the Duke of Brunswick, threatened the people of Paris with destruction if the French royal family was harmed, increasing revolutionary anger at Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI for conspiring with foreign powers instead of discouraging revolution.
What is the Brunswick Manifesto
This 1627 revolution by French Huguenots was put down by King Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu, breaking the military strength of the French protestants and paving the way to royal absolutism and a centralized government
What is the siege of La Rochelle?
Louis XIV strengthened his monarchy by controlling the nobility, using divine right, and centralizing government. Name three strategies used to keep the nobles from challenging his authority.
What is making them live at Versailles, giving them pensions and privileges to keep them occupied, and using intendants to reduce their political power?