Paulette
The Paulette was an annual fee paid by royal officials to guarantee hereditary in their offices and was first introduced by King Henry IV in 1602-1604. It was created in order to compensate for lost revenues.
Louis XIII and Huguenot independence
King Louis XIII took steps to limit the Huguenot independence. In 1627, Louis decided to end Protestant military and political independence because it constituted "a state within a state" and represented political disobedience. He sieged the city of La Ro
Cardinal Richelieu's domestic policies
Cardinal Richelieu had a policy of total subordination of all groups and institutions to the French monarchy. He reshuffled the council of ministers to get rid of potential power brokers. He leveled castles (symbols of feudal independence) and crushed ari
Cardinal Richelieu's foreign policies
Cardinal Richelieu's foreign policy was aimed at the destruction of the fence of Habsburg countries surrounding France. Consequently, Richelieu supported the Habsbug's enemies. An example of this support of Habsburg enemies would be Richelieu's support of
Mercantilism
Mercantilism is a collection of governmental policies for the regulation of economic activities, especially commercial activities, by and for the state. In mercantilist theory, a nation;s international power was thought to be based on its wealth, specific
French military reforms
King Louis XIII and especially King Louis XIV significantly expanded the military from 25,000 men to 250,000 men. King Louis XIV appointed Francois le Tellier to create a professional army.
The French military was now owned by the French state rather priv
Jean Baptiste-Colbert
Jean Baptiste-Colbert was the controller of general finances. His central principle was that the wealth and the economy of France should serve the state and he rigorously applied mercantilism to France.
He believed that France should be self sufficient an
French financial system under King Louis XIV
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