Cardinal_Richelieu

Cardinal Richelieu Up until the mid 17th century, it was evident that France was by no means a major player in the field of European affairs. Spain was still the most powerful state as it held a dominant monopoly over European commerce and economics. However, by 1648, this power would shift, and France would come into it’s own in terms of political and economic influence. The transfer of power was aided by a weakening of the Spanish Empire, along with the establishment of an increasingly strong French state. This establishment of France would begin to occur prior to the religious wars, and would be spearheaded by a strengthening of the centralized government through the development of royal absolutism. The most significant contributor to this movement was Cardinal Armand du Plessis de Richelieu, political advisor to the king, Louis XIII, and head of the French Roman Catholic Church. The Cardinal’s capable leadership, ambition and strong will fortified France’s move from a second rate country to a European powerhouse. During his reign as first minister, Richelieu would accomplish numerous tasks, and establish himself as a symbol of power and leadership in France. Born in Paris in 1585, Armand du Plessis de Richelieu is considered richelieu, political, french, state, france, cardinal, through, power, one, king’s, cardinal’s, religious, military, king, richelieu’s, influence, european, europe, become, strong, monarchy, louis, important, huguenots, however, first, during, church, subjects, royal, queen, over, nobles, major, eventually