Final answer:
Under the Bourbon Dynasty, France became more centralized through the replacement of feudal vassals with salaried royal appointees and the acquisition of lands by the monarchy. The absolute monarchy was established under Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu, with Enlightenment ideas promoting reform and challenging the monarchy's authority. Post-Napoleon, the Bourbons returned but had to accept constitutional limits to their power.
Step-by-step explanation:
France's government became more centralized and westernized under the Bourbon Dynasty due to a series of reforms and political maneuvers. Starting with King Phillip II in the late twelfth century, the French monarchy began a process of consolidating power by acquiring lands from nobles and then directly administering these territories with salaried royal appointees rather than through feudal vassals. This strategic move allowed the monarchy to increase its direct control, thus centralizing government authority within France.
During the reign of Louis XIII and his chief minister, Cardinal Richelieu, this trend of centralization continued, culminating in the development of an absolute monarchy. The Estates General was no longer convened, resulting in the King ruling with absolute power. Furthermore, the adoption of Enlightenment ideas by the Creole elite, influenced by the works of philosophers like John Locke and Baron de Montesquieu, eventually led to questioning the monarchy's authority and strengthening calls for social and political reform.
The return of the Bourbons after Napoleon's exile maintained the centralized structure, but the monarchy could not revert to absolute rule. Instead, King Louis XVIII had to acknowledge the constitutional rights of his citizens, partly due to the impact of the French Revolution. Although attempts were made to reassert the old order, the need for reforms and the changing political landscape in France meant that the government had to adapt to a more centralized but constitutionally restrained monarchy.