The Revocation of the Edict of Nantes

The Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685 was when the French king, Louis XIV, canceled a 1598 law that had granted religious freedom to Protestants (Huguenots). This revocation forced many Huguenots to either convert to Catholicism, face persecution, or flee France. It aimed to unify France under Catholicism and strengthen royal authority, but it also caused significant hardship for Protestants and led to the loss of many skilled workers and merchants. The event marked a step back from religious tolerance, intensifying religious conflict in France.