Aim How should we remember Louis XIV the
Aim: How should we remember Louis XIV the “Sun King”? Do Now: If you were a king or a queen, and you could have absolute power, would you want it? If yes, what would you do with it?
I What was the Age of Absolutism? A) European monarchs in the 16 th and 17 th centuries sought to have absolute (unlimited) power. B) Absolute monarchs claimed divine right: that they received their power directly from god. Thomas Hobbes, an enlightenment philosophe, believed that due to man’s selfish nature, absolute monarchs are necessary.
II Louis XIV “The Sun King” A) Louis XIV became king when he was 4 years old. The true ruler, was Cardinal Mazarin (his advisor). Louis XIV didn’t rule himself until Mazarin died. B) "L'État, c'est moi" (the state is me). Symbolized as the “Sun King”.
Louis XIV “The Sun King” of France
III Louis XIV Showed His Power A) 1667 – 1713 King Louis XIV went to war to expand the borders of France.
Louis XIV Showed His Power Continued… B) the War of Spanish Succession between England France began when the last Hapsburg ruler of Spain Charles II died in 1700. The Treaty of Utrecht was signed in 1713, ending the war. ü ü France agreed to leave the Spanish Netherlands and Italy France gave Newfoundland Hudson Bay in Canada to England The grandson of Louis XIV Philip became the next King of Spain. BUT the crowns of Spain and France would not be united. Charles II of Spain Philip of Anjou
C) 1682 explorer Cavelier de La Salle claimed and named the basin of the Mississippi River “Louisiana”, named for King Louis XIV.
III Louis XIV Spent $ King Louis XIV built the Palace of Versailles which strained France’s economy due to its cost and upkeep. ü Originally began in 1631 as a hunting lodge for Louis XIII. ü 700 rooms, more than 2, 000 windows, 1, 250 chimneys, and 67 staircases. ü Up to 3, 000 princes, courtesans, ministers, and servants lived there at any given time. ü Maintaining the palace cost 6 - 25% of France’s annual budget.
Versailles, France
The Hall of Mirrors, Versailles, France
The Gardens at Versailles, France
V Louis XIV and Religion Louis XIV revoked the Treaty of Nantes, which had granted religious freedom to Protestants. This forced 1, 000 Huguenots (French Protestants) to leave France.
Fun Facts Louis XIV towered over his subjects at an amazing 6 feet, 10 inches. Yet, he was only 5” 4 when naked. To compensate for his short stature, he wore a 12 -inch-high wig and 6 -inch red heels. But this was one look that no one could copy. Louis decreed that only the king could wear red heels. Also, some historians believe that he only took 3 baths in his entire life (his doctors believed bathing caused illness), but he had his clothes including underwear changed often 3 times per day!
Summary Questions 1. What is an absolute monarch? Why did Thomas Hobbes support this form of government? 2. Describe at least 2 achievements of Louis XIV. 3. Describe at least 2 abuses of power by Louis XIV.
Key Vocabulary Absolute Monarch Divine Right Huguenots Louis XIV “The Sun King” Louisiana Purchase Treaty of Nantes Treaty of Utrecht Versailles War of Spanish Succession
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