What were Jules Mazarin's main foreign-policy goals?

Jules Mazarin’s foreign policy was primarily driven by the need to advance French interests and secure its borders, often by weakening the power of the Habsburgs. While he initially held an ideal of fostering peace among Europe's Catholic powers, he subordinated this goal to the strategic ambitions of France following the death of Cardinal de Richelieu.12

His main foreign-policy goals included:

• Neutralizing Habsburg Power: Mazarin sought to diminish the influence of the Holy Roman Empire and Spain. He successfully worked to exclude the emperor from interfering in the empire and prevented further imperial aid to Spain through the Peace of Westphalia.13
• Securing French Frontiers: He aimed to expand and protect French territory, notably securing rights in Alsace and Lorraine. To safeguard the frontier against the Habsburgs, he organized the League of the Rhine in 1658.31
• Ending the Franco-Spanish War: Following the general European settlement, Mazarin remained focused on forcing Spain to reach a final peace agreement, which was achieved in 1659 at the Pyrenees frontier.1
• Establishing European Stability: Toward the end of his life, Mazarin worked to arbitrate regional conflicts, such as the "northern peace," to ensure lasting tranquility across Christendom.1