A Divine Absolute Monarchy is established in France by Louis XIV the "Sun
King"
But
Before Louis XIV becomes king, Cardinal Richelieu under Louis
XIII:
1. Reduced the power of the Spanish and Austrian Hapsburgs by manipulating
during the 30 years war to allow the German princes to fight amongst themselves
then in 1635 joined the war against the Catholic Hapsburgs: France gained
rich territory along the Rhine called the Alsace.
2. Removed the threat of the Huguenots fighting and defeating them at La
Rochelle
(Later Louis XIV revokes the Edict of Nantes)
3. Leveled castles not necessary for the defense of France
4. Made new administrators called intendants (only appointed middle class)
responsible directly to the king, who appointed an removed them.
Richelieu set the stage for Louis XIV to further centralize power