==Introduction==Cardinal Richelieu was one of the most important statesmen in French if not European history<youtube>https://www. He was chief minister to Louis XIII and he changed the nature of French government and society. Today he is best known as a character in Dumas’, The Three Musketeers. Richelieu was a master politician and diplomat, who because of his influence over the monarch laid the foundations of an ‘absolute monarchy’ in France. Richelieu was also able to use the Thirty Years War to further the national interests of France and he, more than anyone else made France the greatest power in Europe by the second half of the seventeenth century. He was also a very important figure in the development of the French Empire. However, these achievements, while significant resulted in death and misery for millions of French peopleyoutube. com/watch?v=GCWOVp9ekxM</youtube>
==Background==In the early seventeenth century France was one of the leading powers in Europe but it __NOTOC__[[File: Kardinaal de Richelieu.jpg|300px|thumb|left|Titian’s portrait of Richelieu]]Cardinal Richelieu (1585-1642) was very divided and vulnerable. It was surrounded by one of France's most significant leaders because he both strengthened and consolidated the Hapsburgs who controlled power of the Low Countries and Spainmonarchy. The kingdom He was also very divided because of religion. Europe was torn by religious conflict chief minister to Louis XIII, and in 1618 he changed the Thirty Years War broke out and much nature of the continent was dragged into the conflict between Catholic French government and Protestant<ref> Bergin, Josephsociety. The Rise of Richelieu (Manchester: Manchester University PressToday, 1997)he is best known as a character in Alexander Dumas’ classic novel, p[https://www.amazon. 34<com/gp/product/1853260401/ref>. The international situation =as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1853260401&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=ee86619b16656a6345cc090c6a7968c3 The Three Musketeers]. Richelieu was destabilizing French society which was divided between Catholic a master politician and Protestant (Huguenot)diplomat who used his influence to lay the foundations of an ‘absolute monarchy’ in France. The Edict of Nantes had granted French Protestants religious toleration and this community effectively ran their own ‘parallel state’ Richelieu was also able to use the Thirty Years War to further France's national interests. There were continued tensions between Catholics and Protestants and this frequently exploded into riot and violenceMore than anyone else, he made France the greatest power in Europe by the second half of the seventeenth century. The Catholic community itself was divided between hardliners and those who took a more pragmatic approach to religion However, these achievements, while significant, were a catastrophe for most French citizens. The country itself == Why was still largely a feudal society <ref> BerginFrance divided before the arrival of Cardinal Richelieu? ==In the early seventeenth century, p. 13</ref>. The local nobility France was one of Europe's leading powers, but it was very divided and magnates dominated vulnerable. It was surrounded by the Hapsburgs, who controlled the localities Low Countries and they were the de-facto rulers in their own landsSpain. The great noble families such as the Conde owned massive estates kingdom was also very divided because of religion. Europe was torn by religious conflict, and they even had their own private armies. These noble families owed more allegiance to themselves than to France. The nobility in 1618 the Thirty Years War broke out, and much of the continent was factionalized dragged into the conflict between Catholic and they constantly quarreled and even fought each other to gain influence and even intrigued with the Hapsburgs against their king<Protestant.<ref> CollinsBergin, James BJoseph. <i>The State in Early Modern France Rise of Richelieu</i> (CambridgeManchester: Cambridge Manchester University Press 1995, 1997), p. 1534</ref>. The actual power of the monarch international situation was very limited. The king in France destabilizing French society, which was dependent upon the nobles to raise taxes divided between Catholic and an armyProtestant (Huguenot). If the aristocrats did not want to cooperate with the king The Edict of Nantes had granted French Protestants religious toleration, he was in great difficultiesand this community effectively ran their own ‘parallel state. Many found this situation intolerable ’ There were continued tensions between Catholics and demanded reformsProtestants, especially the middle class and urban elitesthis frequently exploded into riots and violence. [[File: Kardinaal de Richelieu.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Titian’s portrait of Richelieu]]==Cardinal Richelieu==Cardinal Richelieu was born in 1585The Catholic community itself was divided between hardliners and those who took a more pragmatic approach to religion. The country itself was still largely feudal society.<ref>Bergin, during one of France’s many Religious Warsp. Richelieu was the son of the Lord of Richelieu and a member of the minor nobility<ref> Bergin, p. 413</ref>. He was educated in Paris at The local nobility and magnates dominated the Collège de Navarrelocalities, a brilliant student he was well-versed in history and they were the classicsde-facto rulers in their lands. He had originally been intended for The great noble families such as the military but his family decided that he should enter the priesthoodConde owned massive estates, and they even had their private armies. In April 1607, after receiving a papal dispensation as he These noble families owed more allegiance to themselves than to France. The nobility was only 21factionalized, he was ordained as a priest and bishop at Lucon. Richelieu was very ambitious they constantly quarreled and fought each other to gain influence and studied even intrigued by the works of MachiavelliHapsburgs against their king. The extent of the influence of the Italian political philosopher can be seen in Richelieu’s cynical aphorisms<ref> Collins, especially in his Testament Politique (1641)James B. His most famous epigram is ‘one may use all means against one’s enemies’ <refi>The State In Early Modern France</i> Richelieu, Political Testament, 1662(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1995), p. 915</ref>By 1614 the young prelate had achieved a reputation as a capable administrator and regularly attended meetings The actual power of the Estates-General (French Parliament), where his oratory impressed manymonarch was minimal. Richelieu The king in France was a member of dependent upon the dévot party nobles to raise taxes and a very strong supporter of Roman Catholicism and held pro-Spanish views<ref> Collins, pan army. 13 </ref>. The young bishop came If the aristocrats did not want to cooperate with the attention of the queen-regentking, Marie de Medicihe was in great difficulties. Many found this situation intolerable and demanded reforms, who asked Richelieu to attend especially the Royal Courtmiddle class and urban elites. Richelieu became chaplain == Who was Cardinal Richelieu? ==Cardinal Richelieu was born in 1585, during one of France’s many Religious Wars. Richelieu was the young queen Anne in 1615. She was son of the wife Lord of Louis XII, who was too young to rule in his own name Richelieu and power really rested with his mother Marie de Medicia member of the minor nobility.<ref> Bergin, p. Richelieu 4</ref> He was a political genius and soon educated in Paris Collège de Navarre, a brilliant student he was appointed Secretary of State for Warwell-versed in history and the classics. HoweverHe had originally intended to the military, but his patron Marie de Medici fell from grace with family decided that he should enter the king because of court-politics and it seemed that Richelieu’s career priesthood. In April 1607, after receiving a papal dispensation as he was over <ref> Levionly 21, Anthonyhe was ordained as a priest and bishop at Lucon. Cardinal Richelieu was very ambitious and studied the Making works of FranceMachiavelli. New York: Carroll and Graf The extent of the Italian political philosopher's influence can be seen in Richelieu’s cynical aphorisms, 2000especially in his Testament Politique (1641), p. 112</ His most famous epigram is ‘one may use all means against one’s enemies.’<ref>. HoweverRichelieu, <i>Political Testament, 1662</i>, p. 9</ref> By 1614, Richelieu managed to reconcile the queen-mother and her son and he eventually was rewarded with the position of Chief Minister young prelate had achieved a reputation as a capable administrator and with the backing regularly attended meetings of Louis XII he began the transformation of Estates-General (French societyParliament), where his oratory impressed many. The king also secured a Cardinal’s hat for Richelieu. The French statesman was committed to furthering a member of the power dévot party and a powerful supporter of the monarchy Roman Catholicism and Franceheld pro-Spanish views. In pursuit of this<ref>Collins, he attacked the Huguenots and began p. 13 </ref> The young bishop came to erode their power base. He reformed the navy and queen regent's attention, Marie de Medici, who asked Richelieu to attend the armyRoyal Court. He also reformed Richelieu became the bureaucracy and sought to curb the power chaplain of the nobles. Much of his time young Queen Anne in power was an effort to centralize power1615. He She was dependent upon the king’s favor and confidence but wife of Louis XIIIXII, who was too young to rule in his name, an indolent and enigmatic manpower rested with his mother, gave Marie de Medici. Richelieu, great leeway to pursue the policies that was a political genius, and soon he thought were best was appointed Secretary of State for the kingdomWar. The Cardinal was often embroiled in disputes However, his patron Marie de Medici fell from grace with noble factions but the support king because of the monarch allowed him to initiate key reforms court-politics, and radical policiesit seemed that Richelieu’s career was over.<ref>Levi, Anthony. The <i>Cardinal sought to establish an Absolute Monarchy in Richelieu and the Making of France</i>. New York: Carroll and Graf, where the king would be2000), obeyed through p. 112</ref> However, Richelieu managed to reconcile the land queen-mother and the feudal nobility no longer acted like independent lordsher son. He suppressed several conspiracies eventually was rewarded with the position of Chief Minister, and rebellions and limited with the powers backing of Louis XII, he began the nobility<ref> Collins, ptransformation of French society. 115</ref> The king also secured a Cardinal’s hat for Richelieu. Richelieu The French statesman was very much a ‘realist’ in international affairs and he allied himself with Protestant nations, though a Catholic committed to strengthen furthering the position power of his beloved the monarchy and France in Europe. In pursuit of this, he attacked the Huguenots and began to erode their power base. He intervened in reformed the Thirty Years War navy and changed the direction army. He also reorganized the bureaucracy and sought to curb the power of that conflictthe nobles. Richelieu died hated by many Much of his time in 1642 and his work power was continued by his handpicked successor Cardinal Mazarin, who completed his old masters work and created an absolute monarchy in Franceeffort to centralize power. == Government Reform==Richelieu made sweeping changes to He was dependent upon the way that France was governed he expanded the standing army king’s favor and the navyconfidence. He also made sure Still, Louis XIII, an indolent and enigmatic man, gave Richelieu great leeway to pursue the policies that they he thought were regularly funded by best for the Royal Treasury for the first timekingdom. Richelieu The Cardinal was eager to remove often embroiled in disputes with noble factions, but the influence of the nobility from the bureaucracy monarch's support allowed him to initiate fundamental reforms and he opened the civil service to commonersradical policies. However, many of these bought their positions and this lead The Cardinal sought to nepotism and corruption establish an Absolute Monarchy in France, where the later years of Richelieu’s <ref> Collinsking would be, p. 115</ref>. The Cardinal did make obeyed through the bureaucracy more efficient land, and made sure that the royal budget was balancedfeudal nobility no longer acted like independent lords. His most important reforms were in local government. Traditionally He suppressed several conspiracies and rebellions and limited the local notables had been free to do what they likepowers of the nobility.<ref> Collins, they were expected to administer their districtp. This was a relic of feudalism and 115</ref> Richelieu believed that it was not suitable for very much a modern state‘realist’ in international affairs. He persuaded Louis XIII allied himself with Protestant nations, though a Catholic, to appoint an ‘intendant’ or official to every district and they would administer the areastrengthen his position beloved France in Europe. This did much to reduce He intervened in the Thirty Years War and changed the influence direction of the local notables but they still had immense powers. The appointment of government officials did much to curb the authority and freedom of provincial noblesthat conflict. Richelieu administrative reforms did much to change France from a feudal to a modern statedied hated by many in 1642. HoweverHis work was continued by his hand-picked successor Cardinal Mazarin, this was arguably not finished until the French Revolutionwho completed his old master's work and created an absolute monarchy in France. == How did Richelieu also had many castles and fortresses demolished and this reduced reform the ability of French Government? ==Richelieu made sweeping changes to how France was governed. He expanded the nobility to defy their monarch, however they were still able to recruit large private armies from among their tenants standing army and retainersthe navy. The new administration He also meant more taxes for made sure that the peasantry and there were many peasant uprisings during Royal Treasury regularly funded them for the Cardinal’s ministry<ref>Bergin, pfirst time. 116</ref>Richelieu was eager to remove the nobility's influence from the bureaucracy, and he opened the civil service to commoners. [[File: Louis XIIIHowever, many of these bought their positions, leading to nepotism and corruption in the later years of Richelieu’s.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Portrait of King Louis XIII]] ==Huguenots==<ref> Collins, p. 115</ref> The Huguenots, were perhaps Cardinal did make the strongest faction in the country bureaucracy more efficient and they had a significant army and were supported by Charles I of England. Richelieu attempted to revoke many of the privileges made sure that were granted to the Huguenots under the Edict of Nantesroyal budget was balanced. This led to a rebellion and Richelieu besieged one of their main strongholds La RochelleHis most important reforms were in local government. This siege was personally directed by Traditionally the Cardinal and he imitated the siege tactics of Alexander the Great local notables had been free to do what they like; they were expected to capture the strategic portadminister their district. The Huguenots continued their rebellion but the Cardinal was implacable and the Royalist army defatted the French Protestants in battle <ref> Levi, p. 113 <dh-ad/ref>. This forced the Huguenot leader to seek terms with the king. was a relic of feudalism, and Richelieu adopted believed it was not suitable for a conciliatory policy towards them was influenced by personal philosophy ‘First, all means to conciliate; failing that, all means modern state. He persuaded Louis XIII to appoint an ‘intendant’ or official to crush’ <ref> Richelieuevery district, Political Statementand they would administer the area. (1663)This did much to reduce the influence of the local notables, p. 13</ref>but they still had immense powers. If the Huguenots had not obeyed The appointment of government officials did much to curb the Cardinal’s will he would have waged a total war against themauthority and freedom of provincial nobles. Richelieu, eventually appointed the Huguenot leader 's administrative reforms did much to change France from a feudal to a senior position in the army and integrated some Huguenot soldiers into the Royal armymodern state. The Cardinal at However, this was arguably not finished until the same timeFrench Revolution. Richelieu also had many castles and fortresses demolished, under which reduced the Peace of Alais, the Protestants still had religious freedom but nobility's ability to defy their monarch. However, they were shorn of still able to recruit large private armies from among their military tenants and political rightsretainers. The new administration also meant more taxes for the peasantry, and there were many peasant uprisings during the Cardinal’s ministry.<ref>Bergin, p. 116</ref> == Why did Cardinal Richelieu attack the French Huguenots? ==
[[File: Siege of La Rochelle 1881 Henri Motte 1846 1922.jpg|200px|thumb|left| Richelieu at the siege of La Rochelle]]
The Huguenots were perhaps the strongest faction in the country, and they had a significant army and were supported by Charles I of England. Richelieu attempted to revoke many of the privileges granted to the Huguenots under the Edict of Nantes. This action led to a rebellion, and Richelieu besieged one of their main strongholds La Rochelle. The Cardinal personally directed this siege, and he imitated Alexander the Great's siege tactics to capture the strategic port. The Huguenots continued their rebellion, but the Cardinal was implacable, and the Royalist army defatted the French Protestants in battle.<ref> Levi, p. 113</ref> This forced the Huguenot leader to seek terms with the king. Richelieu adopted a conciliatory policy towards them because of personal philosophy ‘First, all means to conciliate; failing that, all means to crush.’<ref> Richelieu, <i>Political Statement</i>. (1663), p. 13</ref> If the Huguenots had not obeyed the Cardinal’s will, he would have waged total war against them. Richelieu eventually appointed the Huguenot leader to a senior position in the army and integrated some Huguenot soldiers into the Royal army. The Cardinal at the same time, under the Peace of Alais, the Protestants still had religious freedom, but they were shorn of their military and political rights. ==What Cardinal Richelieu's role in the Thirty Years War? ==<div class="portal" style='float:right; width:35%'> ====Related Articles===={{#dpl:category=French History|ordermethod=firstedit|order=descending|count=8}}</div>[[File: Battle of Lens.jpeg|200px|thumb|left| 19th-century painting of the Battle of Lens (1648)]]Richelieu was unique among statemen politicians of the time as he put the needs of his king 's needs before that of his religion. He devised a strategy that promoted and safeguarded the geopolitical interests of France. Despite being an early adherent of the devot Devot party, he was determined to limit the power of his fellow Catholics ' power, the Hapsburgs .<ref> Levi, p. 123</ref>. This dynasty ruled in Spain and in Austria , and they dominated much of Europe. For over a hundred years , they had threatened France or interfered in her internal affairs when . When he became Minister , he adopted a determined anti-Hapsburg policy. He Through subsidies, he supported, through subsidies various Protestant armies in Germany that were fighting the Catholic armies of the Hapsburgs. In 1629 when the Hapsburgs seemed on the point of victory , he encouraged the Swedes to invade Germany. This was not enough for Richelieu , and he had French armies fight against the Spanish Hapsburgs in Northern Italy and even in Spain itself (Catalonia). The Cardinal used all the resources of France to contain and defeat the Hapsburgs. He believed was concerned that if they were not that they would the Hapsburgs sought to encircle and even conquer France. The He raised taxes raised to pay for the military campaigns led to real hardships for many . The increased taxes disproportionately targeted ordinary people families and even caused localized famines. However, Richelieu 's policies were continued with , and they eventual eventually led to the French victory over the Spanish Hapsburgs at Lens in 1648. This is widely regarded as the end of the Hapsburgs ' supremacy in Europe and was a victory that saw the France's emergence of France as the greatest most significant power in Europe. Richelieu did not live to implement all his plans , but he undoubtedly helped to make France the preeminent power in seventeenth -century Europe. ==How did Richelieu and expand the power of the French Empire? ==Not only did Richelieu help to make France the greatest power in Europe , but he was also instrumental in the establishment of a French overseas Empire. His Navy reforms of the navy meant that the French could secure new colonies , especially in the eighteenth century. When he came to power , the French colony in New France (Canada) was in decline. He revived the fortunes of the colony by the formation of the ‘Company of New France’France. ’ This shift helped to boost trade between the colony and France and this , which encouraged many French emigrants to settle in the colonyterritory. Richelieu encouraged the settlers to live in harmony with the Native Americans and this , which did much to strengthen the French colony. The Cardinal was one of the pivotal figures in the history of Quebec and Francophone Canada. [[File: Battle of Lens.jpeg|200px|thumb|left|19th century painting of the Battle of Lens (1648)]]==Conclusion==Richelieu was one of the greatest figures in Early Modern Europe. He changed France from a feudal society into a modern state. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Absolute Monarchy in France, because he managed to curb the power of the French nobility. His foreign policy effectively ended the Hapsburg threat to France and made her one of, or perhaps the most powerful kingdom on the continent. Richelieu, died before his policies came to fruition , but his protégé Mazarin ensured that the Cardinal plans of the Cardinal were carried out. This meant that French society was utterly changed. Richelieu also had a very modern outlook , and he created the apparatus of a modern nation -state and laid the foundations for the future French Empire in North America. His last words to the king, before he died , sum up his achievements .<ref> Collins, p. 114</ref>Richelieu said< "I have the consolation of leaving your kingdom in the highest degree of glory and of reputation</ref> ." However, all of this came at a cost. After his death, the French nobility revolted in two wars known as the FrondesFronde, that which devastated France. His military campaigns and administrative reforms led to widespread poverty, rebellion , and famine in the countryside. Richelieu did make France great , but in doing so , he caused many millions to suffer. No wonder he was such a divisive figure, who was either hated or loved. ====References====<references/>Reviewed Januray 29, 2019.{{Contributors}}[[Category:European History]][[Category:French History]][[Category:18th Century History]][[Category:Wikis]]