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Cardinal Richelieu (1585-1642) was one of France's most significant leaders because he both strengthened and consolidated the power of the most important statesmen in French if not European historymonarchy. He was chief minister to Louis XIII , and he changed the nature of the French government and society. Today , he is best known as a character in Alexander Dumas’classic novel, [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1853260401/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1853260401&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=ee86619b16656a6345cc090c6a7968c3 The Three Musketeers]. Richelieu was a master politician and diplomat, who because of used his influence over the monarch laid to lay the foundations of an ‘absolute monarchy’ in France.  Richelieu was also able to use the Thirty Years War to further France's national interests. More than anyone else, he made France the greatest power in Europe by the second half of the seventeenth century. However, these achievements, while significant, were a catastrophe for most French citizens. == Why was France divided before the arrival of Cardinal Richelieu? ==In the early seventeenth century, France was one of Europe's leading powers, but it was very divided and vulnerable. It was surrounded by the Hapsburgs, who controlled the Low Countries and Spain. The kingdom was also very divided because of religion. Europe was torn by religious conflict, and in 1618 the Thirty Years War broke out, and much of the continent was dragged into the conflict between Catholic and Protestant.<ref> Bergin, Joseph. <i>The Rise of Richelieu</i> (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1997), p. 34</ref> The international situation was destabilizing French society, which was divided between Catholic and Protestant (Huguenot).  The Edict of Nantes had granted French Protestants religious toleration, and this community effectively ran their own ‘parallel state.’ There were continued tensions between Catholics and Protestants, and this frequently exploded into riots and violence. The 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, p. 13</ref>

Richelieu was also able to use The local nobility and magnates dominated the localities, and they were the Thirty Years War to further de-facto rulers in their lands. The great noble families such as the national interests of France Conde owned massive estates, and he, they even had their private armies. These noble families owed more allegiance to themselves than anyone else made to France . The nobility was factionalized, and they constantly quarreled and fought each other to gain influence and even intrigued by the greatest Hapsburgs against their king.<ref> Collins, James B. <i>The State In Early Modern France</i> (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1995), p. 15</ref> The actual power in Europe by the second half of the seventeenth centurymonarch was minimal. He The king in France was also a very important figure in dependent upon the nobles to raise taxes and an army. If the development of aristocrats did not want to cooperate with the French Empireking, he was in great difficulties. HoweverMany found this situation intolerable and demanded reforms, these achievements, while significant resulted in death especially the middle class and misery for millions of French peopleurban elites.

====Background==Who was Cardinal Richelieu? ==In the early seventeenth century France Cardinal Richelieu was born in 1585, during one of the leading powers in Europe but it was very divided and vulnerableFrance’s many Religious Wars. It Richelieu was surrounded by the Hapsburgs who controlled son of the Low Countries and Spain. The kingdom was also very divided because Lord of religion. Europe was torn by religious conflict Richelieu and in 1618 the Thirty Years War broke out and much a member of the continent was dragged into the conflict between Catholic and Protestantminor nobility.<ref> Bergin, Joseph. The Rise of Richelieu (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1997), p. 344</ref> The international situation He was destabilizing French society which educated in Paris Collège de Navarre, a brilliant student he was divided between Catholic well-versed in history and Protestant (Huguenot)the classics. The Edict of Nantes He had granted French Protestants religious toleration and this community effectively ran their own ‘parallel state’originally intended to the military, but his family decided that he should enter the priesthood. There were continued tensions between Catholics and Protestants and this frequently exploded into riot In April 1607, after receiving a papal dispensation as he was only 21, he was ordained as a priest and violencebishop at Lucon. The Catholic community itself Richelieu was divided between hardliners very ambitious and those who took a more pragmatic approach to religionstudied the works of Machiavelli. The country itself was still largely a feudal society.<ref> Berginextent of the Italian political philosopher's influence can be seen in Richelieu’s cynical aphorisms, pespecially in his Testament Politique (1641). 13</ref>

The local nobility and magnates dominated the localities and they were the de-facto rulers in their own lands. The great noble families such as the Conde owned massive estates and they even had their own private armies. These noble families owed more allegiance to themselves than to France. The nobility was factionalized and they constantly quarreled and even fought each other to gain influence and even intrigued with the Hapsburgs His most famous epigram is ‘one may use all means against their kingone’s enemies.’<ref> CollinsRichelieu, <i>Political Testament, James B. The State in Early Modern France (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1995)1662</i>, p. 159</ref> The actual power of By 1614, the monarch was very limited. The king in France was dependent upon the nobles to raise taxes young prelate had achieved a reputation as a capable administrator and an army. If regularly attended meetings of the aristocrats did not want to cooperate with the kingEstates-General (French Parliament), he was in great difficulties. Many found this situation intolerable and demanded reforms, especially the middle class and urban eliteswhere his oratory impressed many. ====Cardinal Richelieu====Cardinal Richelieu was born in 1585, during one of France’s many Religious Wars. Richelieu was the son a member of the Lord of Richelieu dévot party and a member powerful supporter of the minor nobilityRoman Catholicism and held pro-Spanish views.<ref> BerginCollins, p. 413 </ref> He was educated in Paris at the Collège de Navarre, a brilliant student he was well-versed in history and the classics. He had originally been intended for the military but his family decided that he should enter the priesthood. In April 1607, after receiving a papal dispensation as he was only 21, he was ordained as a priest and bishop at Lucon. Richelieu was very ambitious and studied the works of Machiavelli. The extent of the influence of the Italian political philosopher can be seen in Richelieu’s cynical aphorisms, especially in his Testament Politique (1641).

His most famous epigram is ‘one may use all means against one’s enemies.’<ref> RichelieuThe young bishop came to the queen regent's attention, Political TestamentMarie de Medici, 1662, pwho asked Richelieu to attend the Royal Court. 9</ref> By 1614 Richelieu became the chaplain of the young prelate had achieved a reputation as a capable administrator and regularly attended meetings Queen Anne in 1615. She was the wife of the Estates-General (French Parliament)Louis XII, who was too young to rule in his name, where and power rested with his oratory impressed manymother, Marie de Medici. Richelieu was a member political genius, and soon he was appointed Secretary of State for War. However, his patron Marie de Medici fell from grace with the dévot party and a very strong supporter king because of Roman Catholicism court-politics, and held pro-Spanish viewsit seemed that Richelieu’s career was over.<ref> CollinsLevi, Anthony. <i>Cardinal Richelieu and the Making of France</i>. New York: Carroll and Graf, 2000), p. 13 112</ref> However, Richelieu managed to reconcile the queen-mother and her son. He eventually was rewarded with the position of Chief Minister, and with the backing of Louis XII, he began the transformation of French society.

The young bishop came king also secured a Cardinal’s hat for Richelieu. The French statesman was committed to furthering the attention power of the queen-regentmonarchy and France. In pursuit of this, Marie de Medici, who asked Richelieu he attacked the Huguenots and began to attend erode their power base. He reformed the navy and the Royal Courtarmy. Richelieu became chaplain He also reorganized the bureaucracy and sought to curb the power of the young queen Anne in 1615nobles. She was the wife Much of Louis XII, who his time in power was too young an effort to rule in his own name and centralize power really rested with his mother Marie de Medici. Richelieu He was a political genius dependent upon the king’s favor and soon he was appointed Secretary of State for Warconfidence. HoweverStill, his patron Marie de Medici fell from grace with the king because of court-politics and it seemed that Richelieu’s career was over.<ref>LeviLouis XIII, Anthony. <i>Cardinal Richelieu and the Making of France</i>. New York: Carroll an indolent and Graf, 2000), p. 112</ref> Howeverenigmatic man, gave Richelieu managed great leeway to reconcile pursue the queen-mother and her son and policies that he eventually thought were best for the kingdom. The Cardinal was rewarded often embroiled in disputes with noble factions, but the position of Chief Minister monarch's support allowed him to initiate fundamental reforms and with the backing of Louis XII he began the transformation of French societyradical policies.

The king also secured a Cardinal’s hat for Richelieu. The French statesman was committed Cardinal sought to furthering the power of the monarchy and establish an Absolute Monarchy in France. In pursuit of this, he attacked where the Huguenots and began to erode their power base. He reformed king would be, obeyed through the navy land, and the armyfeudal nobility no longer acted like independent lords. He also reformed the bureaucracy suppressed several conspiracies and rebellions and sought to curb limited the power powers of the noblesnobility. Much of his time <ref> Collins, p. 115</ref> Richelieu was very much a ‘realist’ in power was an effort to centralize powerinternational affairs. He was dependent upon the king’s favor and confidence but Louis XIIIallied himself with Protestant nations, an indolent and enigmatic manthough a Catholic, gave Richelieu, great leeway to pursue the policies that he thought were best for the kingdomstrengthen his position beloved France in Europe. The Cardinal was often embroiled He intervened in disputes with noble factions but the support Thirty Years War and changed the direction of the monarch allowed him to initiate key reforms that conflict. Richelieu died hated by many in 1642. His work was continued by his hand-picked successor Cardinal Mazarin, who completed his old master's work and radical policiescreated an absolute monarchy in France.

The Cardinal sought == How did Richelieu reform the French Government? ==Richelieu made sweeping changes to establish an Absolute Monarchy in how France, where was governed. He expanded the king would be, obeyed through the land standing army and the feudal nobility no longer acted like independent lordsnavy. He suppressed several conspiracies also made sure that the Royal Treasury regularly funded them for the first time. Richelieu was eager to remove the nobility's influence from the bureaucracy, and rebellions he opened the civil service to commoners. However, many of these bought their positions, leading to nepotism and limited corruption in the powers later years of the nobilityRichelieu’s.<ref> Collins, p. 115</ref> Richelieu was very much a ‘realist’ in international affairs The Cardinal did make the bureaucracy more efficient and he allied himself with Protestant nations, though a Catholic to strengthen made sure that the position of his beloved France royal budget was balanced. His most important reforms were in Europelocal government. He intervened in Traditionally the Thirty Years War and changed the direction of that conflict. Richelieu died hated by many in 1642 and his work was continued by his handpicked successor Cardinal Mazarin, who completed his old masters work and created an absolute monarchy in Francelocal notables had been free to do what they like; they were expected to administer their district.

====Government Reform====Richelieu made sweeping changes to the way that France was governed he expanded the standing army and the navy. He also made sure that they were regularly funded by the Royal Treasury for the first time. Richelieu was eager to remove the influence of the nobility from the bureaucracy and he opened the civil service to commoners. However, many of these bought their positions and this lead to nepotism and corruption in the later years of Richelieu’s.<ref> Collins, p. 115<dh-ad/ref> The Cardinal did make the bureaucracy more efficient and made sure that the royal budget was balanced. His most important reforms were in local government. Traditionally the local notables had been free to do what they like, they were expected to administer their district.

This was a relic of feudalism , and Richelieu believed that it was not suitable for a modern state. He persuaded Louis XIII to appoint an ‘intendant’ or official to every district , and they would administer the area. This did much to reduce the influence 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 nobles. Richelieu 's administrative reforms did much to change France from a feudal to a modern state. However, this was arguably not finished until the French Revolution. Richelieu also had many castles and fortresses demolished and this , which reduced the nobility's ability of the nobility to defy their monarch. However, however they were still able to recruit large private armies from among their tenants and retainers. 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==? ==

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 that were 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. This siege was The Cardinal personally directed by the Cardinal this siege, and he imitated Alexander the Great's siege tactics of Alexander the Great 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 was influenced by 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 a 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 politicians of the time as he put 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 party, he was determined to limit his fellow Catholics' power, the Hapsburgs.<ref> Levi, p. 123</ref>  This dynasty ruled in Spain and Austria, and they dominated much of Europe. For over a hundred years, they had threatened France or interfered in her internal affairs. When he became Minister, he adopted a determined anti-Hapsburg policy. Through subsidies, he supported 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 was concerned that the Hapsburgs sought to encircle and conquer France. He raised taxes to pay for the military campaigns. The increased taxes disproportionately targeted ordinary families and even caused localized famines. However, Richelieu's policies were continued with, and they 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 France's emergence as the most significant power in Europe. Richelieu did not live to implement all his plans, but he undoubtedly helped make France the preeminent power in seventeenth-century Europe.

==How did Richelieu expand the power of the French Empire? ==Thirty Years War====[[File: Battle of Lens.jpeg|200px|thumb|left|19th century painting of the Battle of Lens (1648)]]Not only did Richelieu was unique among statemen of help to make France the time as greatest power in Europe, but he put was also instrumental in the needs establishment of his king before that of his religiona French overseas Empire. He devised a strategy His Navy reforms meant that promoted and safeguarded the geopolitical interests of FranceFrench could secure new colonies, especially in the eighteenth century. Despite being an early adherent of the Devot party, When he was determined came to limit the power of his fellow Catholics , the Hapsburgs.<ref> Levi, p. 123</ref> This dynasty ruled in Spain and French colony in Austria and they dominated much of Europe. For over a hundred years they had threatened New France or interfered (Canada) was in her internal affairs when he became Minister he adopted a determined anti-Hapsburg policydecline. He supported, through subsidies various Protestant armies in Germany that were fighting revived the Catholic armies fortunes of the Hapsburgs. In 1629 when colony by the Hapsburgs seemed on formation of the point ‘Company of victory he encouraged the Swedes to invade GermanyNew France. 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 This shift helped boost trade between the resources of France to contain colony and defeat the Hapsburgs. He believed that if they were not that they would encircle and even conquer France. The taxes raised , which encouraged many French emigrants to pay for settle in the military campaigns led to real hardships for many ordinary people and even caused localized faminesterritory. However, Richelieu policies were continued encouraged the settlers to live in harmony with and they eventual led the Native Americans, which did much to strengthen the French victory over the Spanish Hapsburgs at Lens in 1648colony. This is widely regarded as the end The Cardinal was one of the Hapsburgs supremacy pivotal figures in Europe and was a victory that saw the emergence history of France as the greatest 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 EuropeQuebec and Francophone Canada.

====Richelieu and the French Empire==Conclusion ==Not only did Richelieu help to make France was one of the greatest power figures in Early Modern Europe he . He changed France from a feudal society into a modern state. He was also instrumental in the establishment of a French overseas Empire. His reforms of the navy meant that the French could secure new colonies especially Absolute Monarchy in the eighteenth century. When France because he came managed to curb the power of the French colony in New France (Canada) was in declinenobility. He revived the fortunes of the colony by the formation of His foreign policy effectively ended the ‘Company of New France’. This helped Hapsburg threat to boost trade between the colony and France and this encouraged many French emigrants to settle in the colony. Richelieu encouraged the settlers to live in harmony with the Native Americans and this did much to strengthen the French colony. The Cardinal was made her one of , or perhaps the pivotal figures in most powerful kingdom on the history of Quebec and Francophone Canadacontinent.

====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 reputation."

I have the consolation of leaving your kingdom in the highest degree of glory and of reputation 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.

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