Louis XIVLouis XIV

King of France from 1642 to 1715

“The Sun King”

King of France from 1642 to 1715

“The Sun King”

Biography:Biography:

Ascended to the throne in 1643 at age 4

Cardinal Mazarin & Anne of Austria -- advisors

Centralized power in the king’s hands

Encouraged trade Controlled the army Crushed unrest

Ascended to the throne in 1643 at age 4

Cardinal Mazarin & Anne of Austria -- advisors

Centralized power in the king’s hands

Encouraged trade Controlled the army Crushed unrest

Ruling Philosophy:Ruling Philosophy:

At age 23 Louis XIV took overThe Sun King‘as the earth depends on the

sun, France depends on Louis XIV’

‘I am the state’Divine Right Ruler, Absolute

Monarch

At age 23 Louis XIV took overThe Sun King‘as the earth depends on the

sun, France depends on Louis XIV’

‘I am the state’Divine Right Ruler, Absolute

Monarch

Ruling Power:Ruling Power:

Brought army under King’s control

Intendants - royal agents in provinces

Staunch Roman Catholic - Louis crushed all opposition to the church Huguenots

Brought army under King’s control

Intendants - royal agents in provinces

Staunch Roman Catholic - Louis crushed all opposition to the church Huguenots

The Palace of VersaillesThe Palace of Versailles

12 miles (20K) from Paris Away from the rabble

King & Court lived there King held courtiers

‘captive’

12 miles (20K) from Paris Away from the rabble

King & Court lived there King held courtiers

‘captive’

Social Hierarch of FranceSocial Hierarch of France

Three EstatesFirst Estate - Clergy

Closest to God

Second Estate - NobilityControlled the land & much wealth

Third Estate - everyone elseMerchants and intellectualsGetting frustrated with their status

Three EstatesFirst Estate - Clergy

Closest to God

Second Estate - NobilityControlled the land & much wealth

Third Estate - everyone elseMerchants and intellectualsGetting frustrated with their status

Jean Baptiste ColbertJean Baptiste Colbert

Finance ministerFinance minister

Colbert took charge of the economy…

Colbert took charge of the economy…

Mercantilist policies - make France richColonial trade

Reformed tax system - burden on peasants

Improved infrastructureDecreased provincial and town

tariffs

Mercantilist policies - make France richColonial trade

Reformed tax system - burden on peasants

Improved infrastructureDecreased provincial and town

tariffs

WarsWarsAt war for 30 of his

54 years as regentWars with the

Netherlands, England, Spain, Holy Roman Empire

Expand France to its ‘natural frontiers’

At war for 30 of his 54 years as regent

Wars with the Netherlands, England, Spain, Holy Roman Empire

Expand France to its ‘natural frontiers’

Legacy:Legacy:

Palace of Versailles - monument to his greatness, strength & power

Bankrupt treasury - expensive wars and life style left little in the treasury

Model for an Absolute Monarch - revered and emulated by others

Patron for Arts - plays, poets, musicians, fashion

Palace of Versailles - monument to his greatness, strength & power

Bankrupt treasury - expensive wars and life style left little in the treasury

Model for an Absolute Monarch - revered and emulated by others

Patron for Arts - plays, poets, musicians, fashion

The Palace of VersaillesThe Palace of Versailles

Chateau de Versailles official web site

http://www.chateauversailles.fr/en/index.php

Chateau de Versailles official web site

http://www.chateauversailles.fr/en/index.php