Cardinal Richelieu
Cardinal Armand Jean du Plessis, Duke of Richelieu, commonly referred to as Cardinal Richelieu (UK:, US:; French: Cardinal de Richelieu), was a French clergyman and statesman. He was consecrated as a bishop in 1607 and was appointed Foreign Secretary in 1616. Richelieu s…
Full Answer
Why was Cardinal Richelieu important to the French Revolution?
Cardinal Richelieu was an important figure in 17th century France. He began as a priest from a little-known noble family but his skills in speaking and politics gave him a solid reputation that reached King Louis XIII's mother, Marie de Medici. As Richelieu found support with de Medici, his negotiating skills gained him favor with Louis.
When did Richelieu become duc de Richelieu and peer of France?
On 26 November 1629, he was created duc de Richelieu and a Peer of France . In the next year, Richelieu's position was seriously threatened by his former patron, Marie de Médicis. Marie believed that the Cardinal had robbed her of her political influence; thus, she demanded that her son dismiss the chief minister.
How did Richelieu respond to the Spanish invasion?
To counter Spanish designs on the territory, Richelieu supported the Protestant Swiss canton of Grisons, which also claimed the strategically important valley. The Cardinal deployed troops to Valtellina, from which the Pope's garrisons were driven out.
Why was Richelieu hated by the French nobility?
As a result, Richelieu was hated by most of the nobility. Another obstacle to the centralization of power was religious division in France. The Huguenots, one of the largest political and religious factions in the country, controlled a significant military force, and were in rebellion.
See more
Why was Cardinal Richelieu so important to the history of France?
Richelieu was instrumental in redirecting the Thirty Years' War from the conflict of Protestantism versus Catholicism to that of nationalism versus Habsburg hegemony, which allowed France to emerge from it as the most powerful state in continental Europe. Richelieu's tenure was a crucial period of reform for France.
Who was Cardinal Richelieu and why was he significant?
As an advocate for Samuel de Champlain and New France, he founded the Compagnie des Cent-Associés; he also negotiated the 1632 Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye under which Quebec City returned to French rule after its loss in 1629. Richelieu is also known for being the inventor of the table knife.
What was the first permanent French settlement in North America?
In 1608, Champlain started the first permanent French colony in the New World at Quebec (City) on the St. Lawrence River. The colony was started as a fur-trading center.
How did Cardinal Richelieu strengthen the power of the French king?
Cardinal Richelieu helped strengthen the French monarchy largely by weakening those who might opposed the king and strengthening those who could support him.
Who did Cardinal Richelieu want to destroy?
Richelieu's time in office is dominated by his campaign against the Huguenots, the modernisation of the military in France, especially the navy, and involvement in the Thirty Years Wars.
How did Richelieu create the conditions for French absolutism?
Richelieu couldn't have a state within a state in absolutism, nor could he have somebody out there with an independent army that was not the royal army. The solution was to assemble the French army, go onto the battlefield, defeat the Huguenots, and take away those privileges.
What was one of the main reasons that the French settled in North America?
Motivations for colonization: The French colonized North America to create trading posts for the fur trade. Some French missionaries eventually made their way to North America in order to convert Native Americans to Catholicism.
Why did the French settlement fail?
Lack of supplies, resistance by the local Native Americans, and direct attack by the Spanish quickly ended French attempts to settle on the southeastern coastline of North America.
Where did the French attempt to make their first settlement in North America quizlet?
In 1608, Samuel de Champlain founded Quebec, on the St. Lawrence River in Canada. Quebec was the first French settlement in North America.
What did Cardinal Richelieu do quizlet?
Cardinal Richelieu and Cardinal Mazarin laid the foundations for political stability and monarchy control. Their goal was to impose direct royal administration and weaken the power of the nobility. Cardinal Richelieu was the minister for Louis XIII , who succeeded Henry IV.
What steps did Cardinal Richelieu take to strengthen royal authority?
Cardinal Richelieu, strengthened self-government, sought to destroy the power of the Huguenots and nobles. What did Cardinal Richelieu want to do with the royal authority? He wanted to strengthen it by destroying of the Huguenots and the nobles. He reduced their independence and tied the nobles to the king.
Who was Cardinal Richelieu quizlet?
Cardinal Richelieu was the minister for Louis XIII , who succeeded Henry IV. Louis XIII was a weak ruler, Cardinal Richelieu was the opposite, so he ran the country for Louis XIII. He was a Bourbon and a Jesuit. He was arrogant, and did not have a problem with people dying.
Who is Cardinal Richelieu in The Three Musketeers?
The Three Musketeers (1993) - Tim Curry as Cardinal Richelieu - IMDb.
When was Cardinal Richelieu power?
Armand-Jean du Plessis, cardinal et duc de Richelieu, byname the Red Eminence, French l'Éminence Rouge, (born September 9, 1585, Richelieu, Poitou, France—died December 4, 1642, Paris), chief minister to King Louis XIII of France from 1624 to 1642.
What was Cardinal Richelieu's main goal?
Cardinal Richelieu's policy involved two primary goals: centralization of power in France and opposition to the Habsburg dynasty (which ruled in both Austria and Spain). Shortly after he became Louis' principal minister, he was faced with a crisis in Valtellina, a valley in Lombardy (northern Italy). To counter Spanish designs on the territory, Richelieu supported the Protestant Swiss canton of Grisons, which also claimed the strategically important valley. The Cardinal deployed troops to Valtellina, from which the Pope's garrisons were driven out. Richelieu's early decision to support a Protestant canton against the Pope was a foretaste of the purely diplomatic power politics he would espouse in his foreign policy.
How did Richelieu transform France?
Richelieu sought to consolidate royal power and by restraining the power of the nobility, he transformed France into a strong, centralized state. In foreign policy, his primary objective was to check the power of the Habsburg dynasty in Spain and Austria, and ensure French dominance in the Thirty Years' War that engulfed Europe. Despite suppressing French Protestants, he did not hesitate to make alliances with Protestant states like the Kingdom of England and the Dutch Republic to achieve his goals. Though he was a powerful political figure, events such as the Day of the Dupes, or Journée des Dupes, show this power was still dependent on the king's confidence.
What happened to Marie de Médicis?
In 1619, Marie de Médicis escaped from her confinement in the Château de Blois, becoming the titular leader of an aristocratic rebellion. The King and the duc de Luynes recalled Richelieu, believing that he would be able to reason with the Queen. Richelieu was successful in this endeavour, mediating between her and her son. Complex negotiations bore fruit when the Treaty of Angoulême was ratified; Marie de Médicis was given complete freedom, but would remain at peace with the King. The Queen-Mother was also restored to the royal council.
Why did Richelieu abolish the position of constable of France?
In 1626, he abolished the position of Constable of France and ordered all fortified castles razed, excepting only those needed to defend against invaders. Thus he stripped the princes, dukes, and lesser aristocrats of important defences that could have been used against the King's armies during rebellions. As a result, Richelieu was hated by most of the nobility.
Why did Henry III give the Bishopric of Luçon to Richelieu?
Henry III had rewarded Richelieu's father for his participation in the Wars of Religion by granting his family the bishopric of Luçon. The family appropriated most of the revenues of the bishopric for private use; they were, however, challenged by clergymen who desired the funds for ecclesiastical purposes. To protect the important source of revenue, Richelieu's mother proposed to make her second son, Alphonse, the bishop of Luçon. Alphonse, who had no desire to become a bishop, became instead a Carthusian monk. Thus, it became necessary that the younger Richelieu join the clergy. He had strong academic interests and threw himself into studying for his new post.
What were the obstacles to the centralization of power in France?
As a result, Richelieu was hated by most of the nobility. Another obstacle to the centralization of power was religious division in France. The Huguenots, one of the largest political and religious factions in the country, controlled a significant military force, and were in rebellion.
How did Richelieu's father die?
When he was five years old, his father died of fever in the French Wars of Religion , leaving the family in debt; with the aid of royal grants, however, the family was able to avoid financial difficulties. At the age of nine, young Richelieu was sent to the College of Navarre in Paris to study philosophy. Thereafter, he began to train for a military career. His private life seems to have been typical of a young officer of the era: in 1605, aged twenty, he was treated by Théodore de Mayerne for gonorrhea.
What happened after Richelieu appointed France?
After Richelieu's appointment France became more involved in the Thirty Years' War. The Huguenots took this opportunity to try to expand their power. In 1625, the Huguenots took control of the islands of Re and Oleron. These islands were the defense for a sea port at La Rochelle.
How did Richelieu centralize the king's rule over France?
By focusing on decreasing their power, Richelieu centralized the king's rule over France. Although his tactics may seem vicious, the Edict of Grace that destroyed the remnants of the Huguenots could be considered a kind alternative to a criminal punishment the Huguenots did not face. Learning Outcome.
Who Was Richelieu?
Armand Jean du Plessis, who would become Cardinal Richelieu, was born in 1585. He was a dominant figure in French history. He is considered to be one of the greatest politicians in 17th century France.
What happened to the Huguenots in 1628?
Richelieu waited with his troops for the Huguenots to be starved out of their capital. In 1628 Louis led an attack that defeated what was left of the Huguenots in La Rochelle. In 1629 the Huguenot military organization was broken up while their strongholds were destroyed under the Edict of Grace.
What was the name of the treaty that Richelieu signed with the Huguenots?
Richelieu responded by sending royal troops to control the Huguenots. In February 1626 he signed a peace treaty with the Huguenots called the Treaty of La Rochelle.
Why was Stability important to France?
Stability was key to France's power. He saw the Huguenots as a threat to this stability. Richelieu knew the Huguenots could attack if France's monarchy was distracted by foreign affairs, affording them a strong advantage. After Richelieu's appointment France became more involved in the Thirty Years' War.
What was Richelieu's greatest achievement?
Richelieu's most notable achievement was his victory over the Huguenots. It is here that he won a major victory for centralized political power in France. The Protestant Reformation movement had spread throughout Europe and created many new religious sects. One of these groups was called Calvinists and followed the teachings of John Calvin. Calvinists believed the Bible held all the information needed for salvation rather than relying on Catholic Church officials for guidance. Calvinists in France were called Huguenots.
What did the French do to establish colonies in North America?
He founded New France by planting a cross on the shore of the Gaspé Peninsula. The French subsequently tried to establish several colonies throughout North America that failed, due to weather, disease, or conflict with other European powers. Cartier attempted to create the first permanent European settlement in North America at Cap-Rouge (Quebec City) in 1541 with 400 settlers but the settlement was abandoned the next year after bad weather and attacks from Native Americans in the area. A small group of French troops were left on Parris Island, South Carolina in 1562 to build Charlesfort, but left after a year when they were not resupplied by France. Fort Caroline established in present-day Jacksonville, Florida, in 1564, lasted only a year before being destroyed by the Spanish from St. Augustine. An attempt to settle convicts on Sable Island off Nova Scotia in 1598 failed after a short time. In 1599, a sixteen-person trading post was established in Tadoussac (in present-day Quebec ), of which only five men survived the first winter. In 1604 Pierre Du Gua de Monts and Samuel de Champlain founded a short-lived French colony, the first in Acadia, on Saint Croix Island, presently part of the state of Maine, which was much plagued by illness, perhaps scurvy. The following year the settlement was moved to Port Royal, located in present-day Nova Scotia.
Where did the French colonize?
The French colonial empire in the New World also included New France (Nouvelle France) in North America, particularly in what is today the province of Quebec, Canada, and for a very short period (12 years) also Antarctic France (France Antarctique, in French), in present-day Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
How did Villegaignon expand the colony?
Unchallenged by the Portuguese, who initially took little notice of his landing, Villegaignon endeavoured to expand the colony by calling for more colonists in 1556. He sent one of his ships, the Grande Roberge, to Honfleur, entrusted with letters to King Henry II, Gaspard de Coligny and according to some accounts, the Protestant leader John Calvin. After one ship was sent to France to ask for additional support, three ships were financed and prepared by the king of France and put under the command of Sieur De Bois le Comte, a nephew of Villegagnon. They were joined by 14 Calvinists from Geneva, led by Philippe de Corguilleray, including theologians Pierre Richier and Guillaume Chartrier. The new colonists, numbering around 300, included 5 young women to be wed, 10 boys to be trained as translators, as well as 14 Calvinists sent by Calvin, and also Jean de Léry, who would later write an account of the colony. They arrived in March 1557. The relief fleet was composed of: The Petite Roberge, with 80 soldiers and sailors was led by Vice Admiral Sieur De Bois le Comte. The Grande Roberge, with about 120 on board, captained by Sieur de Sainte-Marie dit l'Espine. The Rosée, with about 90 people, led by Captain Rosée. Doctrinal disputes arose between Villegagnon and the Calvinists, especially in relation to the Eucharist, and in October 1557 the Calvinists were banished from Coligny island as a result. They settled among the Tupinamba until January 1558, when some of them managed to return to France by ship together with Jean de Léry, and five others chose to return to Coligny island where three of them were drowned by Villegagnon for refusing to recant.
What colony did Champlain establish?
The expedition then founded the colony of Port-Royal . In 1608, Champlain founded a fur post that would become the city of Quebec, which would become the capital of New France. In Quebec, Champlain forged alliances between France and the Huron and Ottawa against their traditional enemies, the Iroquois.
How many wives did Louis XIV send to New France?
That year, to increase the population, Louis XIV sent between 800 and 900 ' King's Daughters ' to become the wives of French settlers. The population of New France reached subsequently 7000 in 1674 and 15000 in 1689.
What was the French interest in Canada in 1664?
Political map of the Northeastern part of North America in 1664. The French interest in Canada focused first on fishing off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. However, at the beginning of the 17th century, France was more interested in fur from North America.
How many colonial wars did France have?
At the beginning of the French and Indian War (1754–1763), the British population in North America outnumbered the French 20 to 1. France fought a total of six colonial wars in North America (see the four French and Indian Wars as well as Father Rale's War and Father Le Loutre's War ). See also: Franco-Indian alliance.
Why Was France Divided Before The Arrival of Cardinal Richelieu?
Who Was Cardinal Richelieu?
- Cardinal Richelieu was born in 1585, during one of France’s many Religious Wars. Richelieu was the son of the Lord of Richelieu and a member of the minor nobility.He was educated in Paris Collège de Navarre, a brilliant student he was well-versed in history and the classics. He had originally intended to the military, but his family decided that he should enter the priesthood. In A…
How Did Richelieu Reform The French Government?
- Richelieu made sweeping changes to how France was governed. He expanded the standing army and the navy. He 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 he opened the civil service to commoners. However, many of these bought their positions, leading to nepotism …
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 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 Ca...
What Was Cardinal Richelieu's Role in The Thirty Years War?
- 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. This dynasty ruled in Spain and Austria, and they dominated m…
How Did Richelieu 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 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 …
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 mos…
Overview
Armand Jean du Plessis, Duke of Richelieu , known as Cardinal Richelieu, was a French clergyman and statesman. He was also known as l'Éminence rouge, or "the Red Eminence", a term derived from the title "Eminence" applied to cardinals, and the red robes they customarily wear.
Consecrated as a bishop in 1607, he was appointed Foreign Secretary in 1616. He continued to rise in both the Catholic Church and French government, becoming a cardinal in 1622, and chief minis…
Legacy
Richelieu's tenure was a crucial period of reform for France. Earlier, the nation's political structure was largely feudal, with powerful nobles and a wide variety of laws in different regions. Parts of the nobility periodically conspired against the King, raised private armies, and allied themselves with foreign powers. This system gave way to centralized power under Richelieu. Local and even religious interests were subordinated to those of the whole nation, and of the embodiment of th…
Early life
Born in Paris, Armand du Plessis was the fourth of five children and the last of three sons: he was delicate from childhood, and suffered frequent bouts of ill-health throughout his life. His family belonged to the lesser nobility of Poitou: his father, François du Plessis, seigneur de Richelieu, was a soldier and courtier who served as the Grand Provost of France, and his mother, Susanne de La Porte, was the daughter of a famous jurist.
Rise to power
In 1614, the clergymen of Poitou asked Richelieu to be one of their representatives to the Estates-General. There, he was a vigorous advocate of the Church, arguing that it should be exempt from taxes and that bishops should have more political power. He was the most prominent clergyman to support the adoption of the decrees of the Council of Trent throughout France; the Third Estate (commoners) was his chief opponent in this endeavour. At the end of the assembly, the First Est…
Chief minister
Cardinal Richelieu's policy involved two primary goals: centralization of power in France and opposition to the Habsburg dynasty (which ruled in both Austria and Spain). Shortly after he became Louis' principal minister, he was faced with a crisis in Valtellina, a valley in Lombardy (northern Italy). To counter Spanish designs on the territory, Richelieu supported the Protestant Swiss canton of Grisons, which also claimed the strategically important valley. The Cardinal dep…
Thirty Years' War
Before Richelieu's ascent to power, most of Europe had become enmeshed in the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648). France was not openly at war with the Habsburgs, who ruled Spain and the Holy Roman Empire, so subsidies and aid were provided secretly to their adversaries. He considered the Dutch Republic as one of France's most important allies, for it bordered directly with the Spanish Netherlands and was right in the middle of the Eighty Years' War with Spain at that time. …
New World
When Richelieu came to power, New France, where the French had a foothold since Jacques Cartier, had no more than 100 permanent European inhabitants. Richelieu encouraged Louis XIII to colonize the Americas by the foundation of the Compagnie de la Nouvelle France in imitation of the Dutch West India Company. Unlike the other colonial powers, France encouraged a peaceful coexistence in New France between Natives and Colonists and sought the integration of Indian…
Final years
Towards the end of his life, Richelieu alienated many people, including Pope Urban VIII. Richelieu was displeased by the Pope's refusal to name him the papal legate in France; in turn, the Pope did not approve of the administration of the French church, or of French foreign policy. However, the conflict was largely resolved when the Pope granted a cardinalate to Jules Mazarin, one of Richelieu's foremost political allies, in 1641. Despite troubled relations with the Roman Catholic …