How did Anne of Austria and Jules Mazarin defeat the Fronde?

Anne of Austria and Cardinal Jules Mazarin suppressed the Fronde by combining military force with political maneuvering to exploit divisions among their opponents.12

During the conflict, the government faced shifting alliances between the Parlement of Paris, the high nobility, and popular factions. Anne and Mazarin utilized several key strategies to regain control:1

• Exploiting Divisions: Anne successfully identified and widened rifts between the various rebel groups, such as the Old Fronde and the supporters of the Great Condé, preventing a unified front against the monarchy.12
• Strategic Resilience: Although the rebels forced Mazarin into temporary exile in 1651, Anne remained loyal to his guidance, which allowed her to maintain the government's position until the opposition lost momentum.32
• Military Pressure: Royal troops effectively countered the military threats posed by the princes, notably defeating Condé’s forces outside Paris in 1652.1
• Political Consolidation: As the rebellion lost support from the Parisian bourgeoisie and the Parlement, the government reasserted authority. By October 1652, the king was able to return to Paris in triumph, followed by Mazarin in 1653, effectively ending the uprising.12