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What possible PODs could result in France adopting a different form of government rather than the absolutism and centralizing tendencies laid down by Louis XIII and Louis XIV? Was it ever possible that the Estates-General could've asserted it's self into a more dominant position rather than what it occupied in OTL? The Estates were summoned several times during the Wars of Religion, and even in 1614 (there was also one planned for when Louis XIV attained his majority, but it never occured).

Was it ever possible that France would've ended up with a government more similar to England? Would it require a POD further back, or was it possible the tapestries for such a government could be laid during the early modern era, perhaps with Richelieu falling out of favor early on, a successful Fronde, or anything else?

And if this were to occur, what effects does it have on Europe? Many monarchs sought to emulate Louis XIV's despotism; if he were constrained by by the Estates, or some other body, would his influence be as far-reaching? Would he still fight the same wars, and expand French borders? Would the monarchies of Europe all slowly evolve towards Constitutionalism ala France and England?

And if France were to have a more constitutional government during the Ancien Regime, what does this spell later on down the road; is it possible that if Louis XIV inherited a France with such a government tradition that he would not waste away money on useless wars, perhaps butterflying away the French Revolution (at least, as we know it)? Is it possible that if France were to have such a government, England might be more enticed towards the absolutism of the Stuarts? Would cross-channel relations be vastly different?

I apologize for all the questions. I'm simply curious, what effects French Constitutionalism would and could have on any alt-world.
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