Louis the XIV and his Wars Mr. Rush

Louis’ Minister of Finance Colbert was Louis’ advisor on the economic and financial affairs of France Reformed business practices, put an end to wasteful government spending Created a system of duties that were able to collect money from all classes, including nobles Encouraged farming and tending to livestock

Louis’ Minister of Finance Set high tariffs to keep out foreign goods that would compete with domestic goods Established government control over manufacturing of products Government subsidies to build up merchants and shipping Enlarged the French navy, secured overseas markets in the colonies

Louis’ Minister of War Louis XIV appoints Francois le Tellier (marquis de Louvois) as minister of war Louvois created an army that can be considered modern ◦ Soldiers were not employed by nobles, but by the French State ◦ King took direct command of army ◦ Louis XIV personally appointed all the marshals and officers down to those with the rank of colonel

Louis’ Minister of War Louvois used different methods of recruiting ◦ Dragooning (seizing men off streets) ◦ Conscription ◦ Lottery Recruitment of foreign mercenaries Commissariat established to feed troops ◦ This took place of ancient tradition of living off the countryside

Seeking Glory Through War In addition to extravagant palaces, Louis the XIV would spend much money on his army and waging war. Looked to expand his kingdom beyond the borders of France Louis’ wars would ultimately be unsuccessful and lead France into bankruptcy.

Invasion of Spanish Netherlands French invasion of the Spanish Netherlands in 1667 ◦ Captured a number of border towns and Franche-Comte ◦ Holland, England and Sweden form Triple Alliance to stop the French ◦ Louis has to make peace and give up Franche Comte ◦ Was able to hold possession of some towns

Invasion of Holland (1672) Envious of Dutch trade, and angered by their part in the Triple Alliance, Louis secretly bribes Charles II of England to help France wage war against Holland French crossed Rhine and begin to take lands in the southern part of the country William of Orange has the levees opened in order to flood the land and stop the French from advancing

Invasion of Holland (1672) English Parliament discovers treaty between Louis XIV and Charles II and compels Charles to renounce it England and Dutch make peace Results: ◦ Holland left in tact ◦ French gain Franche-Comte

Attacking the Palatinate (1689) Louis XIV attempts to take control of the Palatinate Alliance against France included England with William of Orange as its new king After eight years the war was indecisive and Louis the XIV agreed to peace

Heir to the Spanish Crown It was well known that throughout Europe that King Charles II of Spain had mental problems and was unable to father an heir to the Spanish Crown Louis XIV saw an opportunity to expand the influence of the French Crown Louis wanted his grandson Philip V to inherit the Spanish Crown

Philip V Inherits the Spanish Crown Charles II named Philip V his successor on the condition that the Spanish and French Crowns would never be combined Louis XIV accepted the terms of the will and allowed his grandson, Philip V to be named King of Spain The English and the Dutch saw this as unacceptable

War of Spanish Succession ( ) Alliance against the French included England, Holland and Austria King William of England dies shortly after start of war, but Queen Anne takes up the cause ◦ Fighting over in the New World between French and English called Queen Anne’s War French suffered losses in the Netherlands, the Holy Roman Empire, Italy and North America

Louis’ Wars take their toll on France The war takes its toll on the French and Louis XIV is ready for peace Treaty of Utrecht creates many changes in the map of Europe that can still be seen today Wars have emptied the French Treasury, taxes increased, the currency was devalued Louis dies in 1714 leaving France worse off