This is an upper-division survey of French History from the Renaissance through the French Revolution (1500-1800). The course explores the economic, political and cultural factors that allowed France to emerge as the most powerful nation and global actor in Europe from the end of the middle ages to the reign of Louis XIV. We examine the extent of the kingdom's military, political and cultural influence and the realities of everyday life in 16th and 17th century France. We then turn to the key developments of the eighteenth century—capitalism, colonialism, global conflict and Enlightenment—that led to the collapse of French monarchy in 1789 and the unfolding of the first democratic revolution in the West.

This is an upper-division survey of French History from the Renaissance through the French Revolution (1500-1800). The course explores the economic, political and cultural factors that allowed France to emerge as the most powerful nation and global actor in Europe from the end of the middle ages to the reign of Louis XIV. We examine the extent of the kingdom's military, political and cultural influence, the maelstrom of religious war, and the realities of everyday life in 16th and 17th century France. We then turn to the key developments of the eighteenth century—capitalism, colonialism, global conflict and Enlightenment—that led to the collapse of the French monarchy in 1789, the unfolding of the first democratic revolution in the West, and its global reverberations.

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.

Requirements class fulfills