France in the 16th and 17th Cenuries

France in the 16th and 17th Centuries

I. Introduction

II. Problems faced by France

Potential for foreign wars w/Hapsburgs and w/England
Potential for internatl civil war
Economic problems (inflation, drop in real wages, inefficient taxation system)
Social problems (struggling working class, unhappy, though prosperous, bourgoisie)
Religious division (Calvinist vs. Catholic)

III. Example of Problems--The French Wars of Religion (1562-1589)

St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre

IV. Henry IV (Henry of Navarre) (see also here for more info.)

V. Marie de' Medici

VI. Louis XIII

VII. Anne of Austria

VIII. Louis XIV

For the exam, you should be able to give me a good paragraph or two about the problems faced by France in the 16th and 17th centuries. You should also be able to give me a good paragraph on each of the rulers above noting how successful/unsuccessful they were at addressing the problems faced by France.

Be careful not to confuse Henry IV of France with other important Henry IV's of history. There is a Henry IV who was an English king (Shakespeare's Henry IV) and a Henry IV who was Holy Roman Emperor (Pirandello's Henry IV).