Question

"Whereas the Edict of Nantes established the idea that subjects had to follow the religion of their prince, the Edict of Toleration established state protections for religious pluralism. Cardinal Richelieu reduced state protections for French Huguenots, but he retained the edict through the Edict of Grace. Instead of fostering unity based on religious affiliation, France developed a national identity focused on the state."

Answer 1

The Edict of Nantes provided religious tolerance for Huguenots in France but was later undermined by Cardinal Richelieu, who reduced protections yet maintained a semblance of the edict, shifting focus from religious unity to a state-centric national identity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Edict of Nantes, issued by Henry IV in 1598, established a precedent in France for religious tolerance by granting the Huguenots liberty of conscience and worship, despite Catholicism being the official state religion. This edict aimed to quell the violent conflicts between Catholics and Huguenots that ravaged France, such as the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre in 1572. Years later, under the influence of Cardinal Richelieu, the state protections for Huguenots were reduced, signaling a move away from religious unity as the basis of national identity, but the edict was still nominally retained through the Edict of Grace. This shift reflected a developing focus on state-based national identity rather than religious affiliation within France.