- Also called (until 1758):
- Comte (count) de Stainville
- Born:
- June 28, 1719, Lorraine, France
- Died:
- May 8, 1785, Paris (aged 65)
Ătienne-François de Choiseul, duke de Choiseul
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Who was Ătienne-François de Choiseul?
Ătienne-François de Choiseul, Duke de Choiseul (1719â1785) was a French foreign minister who served under King Louis XV and dominated the French government from 1758 to 1770.
As ambassador to the Austrian court in March 1757, he developed the newly formed Austrian alliance. In November 1758, he was made Duke de Choiseul, and Louis XV appointed him secretary of state for foreign affairs.
As naval minister (1761â1766), he increased the number of French warships, and as minister of war (1766â1770), he initiated army reforms. On December 24, 1770, Louis dismissed Choiseul from office.
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What was Choiseul's role in the French government?
As French foreign minister, Ătienne-François de Choiseul, Duke de Choiseul dominated the government of King Louis XV from 1758 to 1770.
His key actions include:
* Negotiating the Treaty of Paris (1763), where France ceded North American and Indian colonies to Great Britain.
* Rebuilding French military power by increasing warships as naval minister (1761â66) and initiating army reforms as minister of war (1766â70).
* Concluding a military alliance with Spain in 1761, known as the Family Compact.1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
When did Choiseul serve as the French foreign minister?
\u00c9tienne-Fran\u00e7ois de Choiseul, duke de Choiseul, served as the French foreign minister from December 1758 to December 24, 1770. His appointment occurred when French forces faced defeats by the Prussians in Europe and the British in North America and India. In August 1761, he facilitated a military alliance with Spain known as the Pacte de Famille. France surrendered its colonies to Great Britain through the Treaty of Paris (1763), but Choiseul's diplomacy prevented more humiliating terms. He then began rebuilding French military power, increasing the number of French warships and initiating army reforms. Choiseul was dismissed from office on December 24, 1770, due to disagreements over war with Great Britain and was exiled to his estates.
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What major events or wars happened during Choiseul's time as foreign minister?
During \u00c9tienne-Fran\u00e7ois de Choiseul's time as French foreign minister (1758-1770), several significant events and wars occurred. He was appointed during a critical phase of the Seven Yearsâ War, with French forces facing defeats by the Prussians in Europe and the British in North America and India.
Key events include:
* Seven Years' War: Choiseulâs appointment occurred when France was struggling in this war.
* Family Compact: In August 1761, Choiseul concluded a military alliance with Spain known as the Pacte de Famille.
* Treaty of Paris (1763): France surrendered most of its North American and Indian colonies to Great Britain.
* Naval and Army Reforms: Choiseul focused on rebuilding French military power, increasing the number of warships and initiating army reforms.1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
How did Choiseul influence Franceâs relationships with other countries?
As French foreign minister, Ătienne-François de Choiseul significantly shaped France's relationships with other countries. In 1761, he forged a military alliance with Spain known as the Pacte de Famille because both countries were under Bourbon rule. After the Treaty of Paris in 1763, he focused on rebuilding French military strength to challenge the British, increasing the number of warships and reforming the army.
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What were some lasting effects of Choiseul's policies on France and Europe?
Ătienne-François de Choiseul, Duke de Choiseul, served as the French foreign minister and significantly influenced France and Europe through his policies.
- Military Buildup As naval minister (1761â1766), he increased the number of French warships and, as minister of war (1766â1770), initiated army reforms that lasted until the Revolution.
- Family Compact In August 1761, Choiseul made a military alliance with Spain known as the Pacte de Famille because both countries were under Bourbon rule.
- Treaty of Paris France surrendered most of its North American and Indian colonies to Great Britain. However, Choiseulâs diplomatic maneuvers enabled France to avoid even more humiliating terms.
1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Ătienne-François de Choiseul, duke de Choiseul (born June 28, 1719, Lorraine, Franceâdied May 8, 1785, Paris) was a French foreign minister who dominated the government of King Louis XV from 1758 to 1770.
Choiseul, the son of François-Joseph de Choiseul, Marquis de Stainville, adopted the title Count de Stainville, entered the French army, and served with distinction against the British and Austrians in the War of the Austrian Succession (1740â48). At the end of the conflict, he joined the circle of nobles around Louis XV, and in 1752 he earned the undying favour of the kingâs mistress, Mme de Pompadour, by preventing her from falling victim to a court intrigue. The following year Mme de Pompadour had Stainville appointed ambassador to the Vatican, where he persuaded Pope Benedict XIV to help reduce the tensions within the French church between the Gallicans (who favoured independence from the papacy) and the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). As a result of his successful mission, Stainville was made ambassador to the Austrian court (March 1757) and was instructed to develop the newly formed Austrian alliance. By that time France and Austria had entered the Seven Yearsâ War.
In November 1758 Stainville was made Duke de Choiseul. The following month Louis XV recalled him to Versailles and designated him secretary of state for foreign affairs. The appointment came at a critical moment when French forces were being defeated by the Prussians on the European continent and by the British in North America and India. In August 1761 he concluded with Spain a military alliance that was known as the Pacte de Famille (âFamily Compactâ) because both countries were under Bourbon rule. The subsequent entry of Spain into the war (1762) gave Choiseul leverage in his negotiations with the British. By the Treaty of Paris (1763) France surrendered most of its North American and Indian colonies to Great Britain, but Choiseulâs diplomatic maneuvers had enabled France to avoid even more humiliating terms.
Choiseul immediately began to rebuild French military power with the intent of striking back at the British. While serving as naval minister (1761â66) he dramatically increased the number of French warships, and as minister of war (1766â70) he initiated a period of army reforms that continued until the outbreak of the Revolution.
Choiseul did not, however, display the same boldness in domestic affairs. He was unwilling to challenge the authority of the Parlements (high courts of justice), which rejected all proposals for urgently needed financial reforms. He even stood by as the Parlement of Paris, against the will of the king, dissolved the Society of Jesus in 1762. In 1768â69 Louis XV brought into the ministry two men who were eager to take the offensive against Choiseul and the Parlements. When Choiseul called for war against Great Britain (1770), these ministers convinced the King that the government was too heavily in debt to finance such a venture. Louis dismissed Choiseul from office on Dec. 24, 1770, and exiled him to his estates at Chanteloup. Allowed to return to Paris in 1774 after the death of Louis XV, Choiseul never recovered political power.