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==Introduction==__NOTOC__[[File: Kardinaal de Richelieu.jpg|300px|thumb|left|Titian’s portrait of Richelieu]]Cardinal Richelieu (1585-1642) was one of the most important statesmen significant leaders in French if not European historyFrance because he both strengthened and consolidated the power of the monarchy. 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 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 used of 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 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 people.

==Background==In Richelieu was also able to use the Thirty Years War to further the early seventeenth century national interests of France was one of the leading powers and he, more than anyone else, made France the greatest power in Europe but it was very divided and vulnerable. It was surrounded by the Hapsburgs who controlled second half of the Low Countries and Spainseventeenth century. However, these achievements, while significant were a catastrophe for most French citizens. The kingdom  ====Why was also very France divided because before the arrival of religion. Europe was torn by religious conflict and in 1618 Cardinal Richelieu?====In the Thirty Years War broke out and much early seventeenth century France was one of the continent leading powers in Europe, but it was dragged into the conflict between Catholic very divided and Protestant<ref> Bergin, Josephvulnerable. It was surrounded by the Hapsburgs who controlled the Low Countries and Spain. The Rise kingdom was also very divided because of Richelieu (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1997), p. 34</ref>religion. The international situation Europe was destabilizing French society which torn by religious conflict and in 1618 the Thirty Years War broke out, and much of the continent was divided dragged into the conflict between Catholic and Protestant (Huguenot). <ref> Bergin, Joseph. <i>The Edict Rise of Nantes had granted French Protestants religious toleration and this community effectively ran their own ‘parallel state’Richelieu</i> (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1997), p. There were continued tensions between Catholics and Protestants and this frequently exploded into riot and violence. The Catholic community itself 34</ref> The international situation was destabilizing French society which was divided between hardliners Catholic and those who took a more pragmatic approach to religionProtestant (Huguenot).  The country itself was still largely a feudal society <ref> BerginEdict of Nantes had granted French Protestants religious toleration, pand this community effectively ran their own ‘parallel state. 13</ref>. The local nobility and magnates dominated the localities ’ There were continued tensions between Catholics and Protestants, and this frequently exploded into riot and they were the de-facto rulers in their own landsviolence. The great noble families such as the Conde owned massive estates Catholic community itself was divided between hardliners and they even had their own private armies. These noble families owed those who took a more allegiance pragmatic approach to themselves than to Francereligion. The nobility country itself was factionalized and they constantly quarreled and even fought each other to gain influence and even intrigued with the Hapsburgs against their kingstill largely a feudal society.<ref> CollinsBergin, James Bp. The State in Early Modern France (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1995), p. 1513</ref>.  The actual power of local nobility and magnates dominated the localities, and they were the monarch was very limitedde-facto rulers in their lands. The king in France was dependent upon great noble families such as the nobles to raise taxes Conde owned massive estates and an armythey even had their private armies. If the aristocrats did not want These noble families owed more allegiance to themselves than to cooperate with the kingFrance. The nobility was factionalized, he was in great difficulties. Many found this situation intolerable and demanded reforms, especially the middle class they constantly quarreled and also fought each other to gain influence and urban elites. [[File: Kardinaal de Richelieueven intrigued with the Hapsburgs against their king.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Titian’s portrait of Richelieu]]==Cardinal Richelieu==Cardinal Richelieu was born in 1585<ref> Collins, during one of France’s many Religious WarsJames B. Richelieu was the son of the Lord of Richelieu and a member of the minor nobility<refi> BerginThe State in Early Modern France</i> (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1995), p. 415</ref>The actual power of the monarch was minimal. He was educated The king in Paris at the Collège de Navarre, a brilliant student he France was well-versed in history and dependent upon the classicsnobles to raise taxes and an army. He had originally been intended for If the aristocrats did not want to cooperate with the military but his family decided that he should enter the priesthood. In April 1607king, after receiving a papal dispensation as he was only 21, he was ordained as a priest in great difficulties. Many found this situation intolerable and demanded reforms, especially the middle class and bishop at Luconurban elites. Richelieu  ====Who was very ambitious and studied the works Cardinal Richelieu?====Cardinal Richelieu was born in 1585, during one of MachiavelliFrance’s many Religious Wars. The extent Richelieu was the son of the influence Lord of Richelieu and a member of the Italian political philosopher can be seen in Richelieu’s cynical aphorismsminor nobility.<ref> Bergin, especially in his Testament Politique (1641)p. His most famous epigram is ‘one may use all means against one’s enemies’ 4</ref> RichelieuHe was educated in Paris at the Collège de Navarre, Political Testament, 1662, p. 9</ref>By 1614 a brilliant student he was well-versed in history and the young prelate classics. He had achieved a reputation as a capable administrator and regularly attended meetings of the Estates-General (French Parliament)originally been intended for the military, where but his oratory impressed manyfamily decided that he should enter the priesthood. Richelieu In April 1607, after receiving a papal dispensation as he was only 21, he was ordained as a member of the dévot party priest and a bishop at Lucon. Richelieu was very strong supporter ambitious and studied the works of Roman Catholicism and held pro-Spanish views<ref> Collins, p. 13 </ref>Machiavelli. The young bishop came to extent of the attention influence of the queen-regentItalian political philosopher can be seen in Richelieu’s cynical aphorisms, Marie de Medici, who asked Richelieu to attend the Royal Courtespecially in his Testament Politique (1641). Richelieu became chaplain of the young queen Anne in 1615 His most famous epigram is ‘one may use all means against one’s enemies. She was the wife of Louis XII’<ref>Richelieu, <i>Political Testament, 1662</i>, who was too p. 9</ref> By 1614 the young to rule in his own name and power really rested with his mother Marie de Medici. Richelieu was prelate had achieved a reputation as a political genius capable administrator and soon he was appointed Secretary regularly attended meetings of State for War. Howeverthe Estates-General (French Parliament), where his patron Marie de Medici fell from grace with oratory impressed many. Richelieu was a member of the king because dévot party and a very strong supporter of court-politics Roman Catholicism and it seemed that Richelieu’s career was over held pro-Spanish views.<ref> LeviCollins, Anthonyp. Cardinal Richelieu and the Making 13 </ref>  The young bishop came to the attention of France. New York: Carroll and Grafthe queen-regent, 2000), p. 112</ref>. HoweverMarie de Medici, who asked Richelieu managed to reconcile attend the queen-mother and her son and he eventually Royal Court. Richelieu became chaplain of the young Queen Anne in 1615. She was rewarded with the position of Chief Minister and with the backing wife of Louis XII he began the transformation of French society, who was too young to rule in his name and power rested with his mother, Marie de Medici. The king also secured Richelieu was a Cardinal’s hat for Richelieu. The French statesman political genius, and soon he was committed to furthering the power appointed Secretary of the monarchy and FranceState for War. In pursuit of thisHowever, he attacked his patron Marie de Medici fell from grace with the Huguenots and began to erode their power base. He reformed the navy king because of court-politics, and the armyit seemed that Richelieu’s career was over. He also reformed the bureaucracy <ref>Levi, Anthony. <i>Cardinal Richelieu and sought to curb the power Making of the noblesFrance</i>. Much of his time in power was an effort to centralize power. He was dependent upon the king’s favor New York: Carroll and confidence but Louis XIIIGraf, an indolent and enigmatic man2000), p. 112</ref> However, gave Richelieu, great leeway managed to pursue reconcile the policies that he thought were best for the kingdom. The Cardinal queen-mother and her son, and he eventually was often embroiled in disputes rewarded with noble factions but the support position of Chief Minister and with the backing of Louis XII he began the monarch allowed him to initiate key reforms and radical policiestransformation of French society. The Cardinal sought to establish an Absolute Monarchy in France, where the  The king would be, obeyed through also secured a Cardinal’s hat for Richelieu. The French statesman was committed to furthering the power of the land monarchy and France. In pursuit of this, he attacked the feudal nobility no longer acted like independent lordsHuguenots and began to erode their power base. He suppressed several conspiracies reformed the navy and rebellions and limited the powers of army. He also reorganized the nobility<ref> Collins, pbureaucracy and sought to curb the power of the nobles. 115</ref>. Richelieu Much of his time in power was very much a ‘realist’ in international affairs and he allied himself with Protestant nations, though a Catholic an effort to strengthen the position of his beloved France in Europe. centralize power. He intervened in was dependent upon the Thirty Years War king’s favor and changed the direction of confidence but Louis XIII, an indolent and enigmatic man, gave Richelieu, great leeway to pursue the policies that conflicthe thought were best for the kingdom. Richelieu died hated by many The Cardinal was often embroiled in 1642 and his work was continued by his handpicked successor Cardinal Mazarindisputes with noble factions, who completed his old masters work but the support of the monarch allowed him to initiate fundamental reforms and created an absolute monarchy in Franceradical policies.  == Government Reform==Richelieu made sweeping changes The Cardinal sought to the way that establish an Absolute Monarchy in France was governed he expanded , where the standing army king would be, obeyed through the land and the navyfeudal nobility no longer acted like independent lords. He also made sure that they were regularly funded by suppressed several conspiracies and rebellions and limited the Royal Treasury for the first time. Richelieu was eager to remove the influence powers of the nobility from the bureaucracy .<ref> Collins, p. 115</ref> Richelieu was very much a ‘realist’ in international affairs, and he opened the civil service to commoners. Howeverallied himself with Protestant nations, many of these bought their positions and this lead though a Catholic to nepotism and corruption in strengthen the later years position of Richelieu’s <ref> Collins, phis beloved France in Europe. 115</ref>. The Cardinal did make He intervened in the bureaucracy more efficient Thirty Years War and made sure changed the direction of that the royal budget was balancedconflict. His most important reforms were Richelieu died hated by many in local government. Traditionally the local notables had been free to do what they like1642, they were expected to administer their districtand his work was continued by his handpicked successor Cardinal Mazarin, who completed his old master's work and created an absolute monarchy in France. This was a relic of feudalism and  ====Government Reform====Richelieu believed made sweeping changes to the way that it France was not suitable for a modern state. He persuaded Louis XIII to appoint an ‘intendant’ or official to every district governed he expanded the standing army and they would administer the areanavy. This did much He also made sure that the Royal Treasury regularly funded them for the first time. Richelieu was eager to reduce remove the influence of the local notables but they still had immense powers. The appointment of government officials did much to curb nobility from the authority bureaucracy, and freedom of provincial nobles. Richelieu administrative reforms did much to change France from a feudal to a modern statehe opened the civil service to commoners. However, many of these bought their positions and this was arguably not finished until the French Revolution. Richelieu also had many castles lead to nepotism and fortresses demolished and this reduced corruption in the ability later years of the nobility to defy their monarchRichelieu’s.<ref> Collins, however they were still able to recruit large private armies from among their tenants p. 115</ref> The Cardinal did make the bureaucracy more efficient and retainersmade sure that the royal budget was balanced. The new administration also meant more taxes for the peasantry and there His most important reforms were many peasant uprisings during in local government. Traditionally the Cardinal’s ministry<ref>Bergin, plocal notables had been free to do what they like; they were expected to administer their district. 116 <dh-ad/ref>. [[File: Louis XIIIThis was a relic of feudalism and Richelieu believed that it was not suitable for a modern state.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Portrait of King He persuaded Louis XIII]] ==Huguenots==The Huguenotsto appoint an ‘intendant’ or official to every district, were perhaps the strongest faction in the country and they had a significant army and were supported by Charles I of Englandwould administer the area. Richelieu attempted This did much to revoke many reduce the influence of the privileges that were granted to the Huguenots under the Edict local notables, but they still had immense powers. The appointment of Nantes. This led government officials did much to a rebellion curb the authority and Richelieu besieged one freedom of their main strongholds La Rochelleprovincial nobles. This siege was personally directed by the Cardinal and he imitated the siege tactics of Alexander the Great Richelieu administrative reforms did much to change France from a feudal to capture the strategic porta modern state. The Huguenots continued their rebellion but the Cardinal However, this was implacable and the Royalist army defatted arguably not finished until the French Protestants in battle <ref> Levi, pRevolution. 113</ref>. This forced Richelieu also had many castles and fortresses demolished, and this reduced the ability of the Huguenot leader nobility to seek terms with the kingdefy their monarch. Richelieu adopted a conciliatory policy towards them was influenced by personal philosophy ‘First, all means However, they were still able to conciliate; failing that, all means to crush’ <ref> Richelieu, Political Statement. (1663), p. 13</ref>recruit large private armies from among their tenants and retainers. If The new administration also meant more taxes for the Huguenots had not obeyed peasantry, and there were many peasant uprisings during the Cardinal’s will he would have waged a total war against themministry. Richelieu<ref>Bergin, 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. p. 116</ref> ====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. The Cardinal personally directed this siege, and he imitated the 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 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 statesmen of the time as he put the needs of his king 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 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 he became Minister he adopted a determined anti-Hapsburg policy. 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 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 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. ====Richelieu and the French Empire====Not only did Richelieu help to make France the greatest power in Europe he was also instrumental in the establishment of a French overseas Empire. His reforms of the navy 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’.  This shift helped to boost trade between the colony and France , and this encouraged many French emigrants to settle in the colonyterritory. Richelieu encouraged the settlers to live in harmony with the Native Americans , and this 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 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> 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 Frondes, that 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.{{Mediawiki:AmNative}} ====References====<references/>Reviewed Januray 29, 2019.{{Contributors}}[[Category:European History]][[Category:French History]][[Category:18th Century History]][[Category:Wikis]]