Letat cest moi Louis XIV 1643 1715 The

L’etat, c’est moi!! Louis XIV (1643 -1715) The Sun King 1

Key Terms • Louis XIV • Sun King • Edict of Nantes • Bourbon Family • Declaration of Clergy of France • Fronde • Jean Baptiste Colbert • Alsace-Lorraine • Code Louis • Intendants • Palace of Versailles • Levee • Wars of Expansion • Robert de La Salle • Louisiana 2

Background • Louis XIV was born into the French Royal Family “The Bourbons” • Mother could not have a child for 12 years o Birth seen as a miracle o "Louis-Dieudonné" (Louis the God-given) • Father died in 1643 o Louis became king at age 4 3

Reign of Louis XIV • Ruled France for 72 years o Longest in European history • Achievements: o Centralized Power to an extent never seen in Modern Europe o Expanded French Territory o Made France the greatest economic, political, and cultural power in Europe o Built the Palace of Versailles • Louis XIV can be seen as the quintessential absolute monarch due to his centralization of power, expansion of territory, and pursuit of personal glory. 4

Outline • I. Centralization of Power • II. Expansion • III. Glory & Spending 5

I. Centralization of Power A. Reigning in the Nobility B. Religion C. Military D. Economy E. Law 6

A. Reigning in of Nobility • For centuries, nobles had unchecked power o Ran the military o Refused to obey laws o Constant insurrection • Fronde (1648)- Insurrection by Nobles to keep feudal power, and not pay taxes • Louis built the Palace of Versailles o 20 km outside of Paris o Forced Nobles to live there o Nobles had to participate in courtly rituals • Louis could keep an eye on Nobles • Levee – (rising) nobles competed to hold a wash basin for Louis in the morning. 7

A. Reigning in of Nobility • Replaced Nobles with Intendants o Nobles were loyal to the Nobility o Intendants – officials loyal to Louis XIV 8

B. Religion • Eliminating freedom of religion o Louis cancelled the Edict of Nantes • Edict of Nantes (grandfather, 1598)– allowed freedom of religion for Hugenots (French Calvinists) • Limits on the power of the Catholic Church o Declaration of Clergy of France • Limited the Pope’s power in France, Louis had authority 9

C. Military • Historically, French Nobles served as generals o Often challenged the king • Louis built a strong centralized military loyal only to him. o Nobles OUT o Administrators IN 10

D. Economy • Louis arrested the old finance minister o Accusation of Embezzlement • Gave the post to a trusted ally o Jean Baptiste Colbert • Practiced Mercantilism • Made France rich!!! 11

E. Law • Historically, France was ruled by several different codes of law o Feudal past • Louis instituted the Code Louis o Centralized, uniform code of law for all of France 12

II. Expansion A. Wars in Europe B. Expansion in the Americas C. Foreign Diplomacy 13

A. Wars in Europe • Louis expanded French territory through several wars o Franco-Dutch War • Gained lands in the Netherlands o (from Spain) • France remained as the Great Power o War of the Grand Alliance • Everyone vs. France • Louis XIV gains Alsace Region o Half of the Alsace-Lorraine Region o War of Spanish Succession • Ultimately unsuccessful attempt to take over Spanish territories 14

• Alsace-Lorriane – Region which France and Germanic Empires constantly fought over 15

B. Expansion in the Americas • Robert de La Salle explored: o Gulf of Mexico, o Mississippi River, o Great Lakes • Entire Mississippi River Basin claimed by France o Named? o Louisiana – After Louis XIV 16

C. Foreign Diplomacy • Opened diplomacy with the Ottomans o Trade • Found Pondicherry in India • Missionaries in China 17

III. Glory & Spending A. Lavish Lifestyle and Spending o Diamond encrusted shoes o Expensive parties daily B. Palace of Versailles o 20 year construction o Regarded as the most magnificent palace in Europe o Symbol of the Wealth and absolute power of the “Sun King” • Also a symbol of the monarchy’s alienation from the people 18

Queen’s Chamber 19

King’s Chamber 20

Hall of Mirrors 21

Hall of Mirrors (2) 22

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Outline • I. Centralization of Power • II. Expansion • III. Glory & Spending 24

Conclusion Pros Cons 25