AP World History: Absolutism in France

Period 4

I Who was Louis XIV (1638 – 1715)?

A) Born into the Bourbon family of French monarchs, he took the throne at 4 years old! He ruled France 1642 – 1715.

B) He did not have real power until his chief minister, Cardinal Mazarin died in 1661. Louis was 23 years old.

C) Louis XIV believed in the Divine Right of kings; that God chose him to rule the nation. Louis XIV was called “Le Roi Soleil”, or “The Sun King”. “I am the state” – Louis XIV

Louis XIV Had Fantastic Legs!

II How did Louis XIV Earn His Name?A) He built his palace at Versailles near Paris. It was so

expensive that it drained the French economy.

Versailles Entrance

Versailles Hall of Mirrors

Versailles Queens Bedroom

Versailles King’s Dining Room

Versailles Kings Bedroom

Versailles Gardens

Primary Source: The Duke of Saint-Simon on the Daily Rituals of the Sun King

7.30-8 am "Sire, it is time", the first Valet de Chambre awakens the King... Doctors, familiars and a few favorites … followed in succession into the bedchamber of the King who was washed, combed and shaved (every other day)…The officers of the Chamber and the Wardrobe then entered… during which the King was dressed and breakfasted…

10 am: As they left the King's apartment, a procession formed in the Hall of Mirrors…

10 pm: The crowd squeezed into the antechamber of the King's apartments to attend the Grand Public Supper…

How did Louis XIV Earn His Name? Continued…B) He increased the size of France’s militaryC) 1667 – 1713 Louis XIV went to war with the Holy Roman Empire and Spain over border disputes, as well as his demand for his grandson to become the next king of Spain. (The Wars of the Spanish Succession). The wars ended 1713 with the Treaty of Utrecht.

Treaty of Utrecht: Louis’ grandson would become the king of Spain, but France and Spain can never unite under

one government. *This helped keep nation-states

sovereign (recall the Treaty of Westphalia).

Louis XIV’s grandson and King of Spain

How did Louis XIV Earn His Name? Continued…

D) Louis XIV revoked the Treaty of Nantes, which had granted religious freedom to Protestants. As a result, Huguenots (French Protestants) fled France. (Historians estimate between 200,000 – 800,000 people!)E) Sep 1, 1715, Louis XIV died of gangrene at Versailles. Louis XIV ruled France for 72 years, longer than any other European monarch!

Focus Questions

1.How did Louis XIV fit the title of “absolute monarch”?2.How would you describe his legacy? Explain.