Why did Louis XIV not manage to convert the Jansenists/Huguenots?

There are a few factors for this:

• It was a matter of doctrine
  • Louis needed the support of the Pope to declaire the Jansenists heretics and the two opportunities were at the beginning and end of his rule.
  • Louis had been at odds with Pope Innocent XI, which eventually led to the 9 yrs war, and so he got no support from him on the matter
• They were fellow Catholics and if he persecuted fellow Catholics, this would put him at odds with the majority of the population
• They were very influencial- people listened to them preach but also read their books
• They had powerful protectors
• They were part of every aspect of Louis' reign- they were in the army, in parlement, and many had powerful families

There are a few reasons why:

• Long term factors such as:
  • difficult to establish how many there were in Fr. as communication was bad- not enough intendants- overworked
  • Caisse de Conversions was widely unpopular amongst Catholics- links to idea of people siad had converted, but didn't so they got money
  • No matter what L. did, the firmest believers would convert- had tried to persuade/ bribe/ threaten- linked to unpopular use of dragonnate
• Short term factors include:
  • Preoccupied with foreign affairs- lacked resources to pursue their conversion
  • lack of support from ministers (Colbert) who saw their economic potential & skill value
  • L. was happy with slow progression of convesion & it wasn't until in his later life that he wanted immidiate action, on influence of Maintenon