Louis XIVLouis XIVAbsolute Monarch-FranceAbsolute Monarch-France

The Sun KingThe Sun KingJust as the planets revolve around the Just as the planets revolve around the

Sun, so too should France and the court Sun, so too should France and the court revolve around him. revolve around him.

Louis XIV Match.com ProfileLouis XIV Match.com Profile 5’ 5… 5’ 5… sometimes I wear high heels to appear sometimes I wear high heels to appear

taller…don’t judgetaller…don’t judge Gorgeous black curly hair and a thin Gorgeous black curly hair and a thin

wispy mustachewispy mustache I hate citiesI hate cities I love to travel the French countrysideI love to travel the French countryside I need to know everything that is going I need to know everything that is going

on…everything is my businesson…everything is my business I have control and trust issuesI have control and trust issues Ridiculously wealthyRidiculously wealthy I prefer to be called the Sun King-as I prefer to be called the Sun King-as

everything in life revolves around moieverything in life revolves around moi I own the Palace at VersaillesI own the Palace at Versailles I have servants who do everything for meI have servants who do everything for me

Louis the Early YearsLouis the Early Years Became king of France at the age of 5Became king of France at the age of 5

until he was able to make decisions bigger than until he was able to make decisions bigger than what toy to play with-Cardinal Mazarin performed what toy to play with-Cardinal Mazarin performed the duties of kingthe duties of king

During Mazarin’s time he ended the Thirty Year During Mazarin’s time he ended the Thirty Year War, increased taxes and strengthened central War, increased taxes and strengthened central governmentgovernment

Nobles hated MazarinNobles hated Mazarinthey they revolted and threatened young revolted and threatened young Louis lifeLouis life

““L’etat, c’est moi.”L’etat, c’est moi.”

““I am the state.”I am the state.”

Louis Takes Over Louis Takes Over

Mazarin dies…Louis takes control at Mazarin dies…Louis takes control at the age of 23 (1661)the age of 23 (1661)

11stst act of business-weaken the power act of business-weaken the power of the noblesof the nobles

Wanted to make France the best it Wanted to make France the best it could be…had assistance from Jean could be…had assistance from Jean Baptiste Colbert…goal make France Baptiste Colbert…goal make France self-sufficientself-sufficient

Cancels Edict of Nantes (1685)Cancels Edict of Nantes (1685)not not the brightest idea the brightest idea

In Control No Matter the In Control No Matter the CostCost

Threats to his life during his younger Threats to his life during his younger years causes Louis to not trust the years causes Louis to not trust the noblesnobles

Louis made the nobles live at the palace Louis made the nobles live at the palace and they were expected to wait on himand they were expected to wait on him

Made nobles dependent on Louis and Made nobles dependent on Louis and took them away from there homes took them away from there homes allowing Louis’ officials allowing Louis’ officials (intendants)(intendants) to to have more powerhave more power

Built Palace of VersaillesBuilt Palace of Versailles

Palace of VersaillesPalace of Versailles

Military ActionMilitary Action Most powerful…army size 400,000 Most powerful…army size 400,000

during wartime 100,000 during during wartime 100,000 during peacetimepeacetime

Advanced in training, weaponry, Advanced in training, weaponry, and sizeand size

European-wide alliance formed to European-wide alliance formed to stop Francestop France

No one country could match No one country could match France’s power but together they France’s power but together they were a match…meant to achieve a were a match…meant to achieve a balance of powerbalance of power

Life For The Not So Life For The Not So Rich and FabulousRich and Fabulous

Constant strain of warfareConstant strain of warfare

Series of poor harvestsSeries of poor harvests

New taxes to finance fightingNew taxes to finance fighting

Longed for peace but got more warLonged for peace but got more war

Sun King: The Final Sun King: The Final YearsYears

Warfare had ruined FranceWarfare had ruined France Regretted the suffering he had caused his Regretted the suffering he had caused his

peoplepeople People rejoiced at news of Louis deathPeople rejoiced at news of Louis death His reign as king made France a powerful His reign as king made France a powerful

country country France left with huge debt France left with huge debt Many resented the power the monarchy had Many resented the power the monarchy had

over them over them revolution would be the result revolution would be the result