2. “The Sun King” -Became King of France in 1643 and ruled for 72 years! That may be due to the fact that he became King at age 4! -The longest reign in French history. -He built a huge palace at Versailles outside of Paris. It was so elaborate and expensive to build that it strained the French economy.

3. -Believed that God had chosen him to rule the nation (the divine right of kings). -Other monarchies followed his example on how he ruled. Why was he important? -Took strong steps in eliminating corruption and waste in the French tax-collection system -France became a leading economic power in Europe because of his administration. -King Louis XIV made France a large and powerful nation and added to its territory. -Led in Naval power

4. Why was he important (continued)? -Reorganized and increased the size of France’s military. Soldiers were well trained and discipline was strict. By early 1700’s France had the most powerful army in Europe. Downfalls -He was big on war but eventually the wars began to take a toll financially. -He had no tolerance for protestants and drove them out of France. Ultimately their loss weakened France. -What he said went. He took power away from Nobles.

5. He adopted the sun as his personal symbol. The sun’s rays reached far and wide, just like his power. For this reason, Louis was nicknamed the Sun King.

6. Under Louis XIV, the French explorer Rene- Robert Cavelier de La Salle sailed down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico, claiming the inland region of North America for France. He named this area Louisiana in honor of Louis XIV.

7. Achievements -He is responsible for “Westernizing” Russia. How? -Women became less socially isolated and took a greater part in the community. -Peter forced the nobles to shave off their long beards and dress in European styles. -He modernized the army and reformed the government. He improved his army’s training and weaponry.

8. Downfalls -Peter the Great even controlled religion and the Russian Orthodox Church strongly resented him for it. They believed he should not control every level of religion. He controlled the noblemen. Where they could live who they could associate with etc.

9. Believing that the best way to learn was by doing, Peter traveled to the West, where, for example he worked in a Dutch shipyard to learn shipbuilding. At Peter’s funeral, the Archbishop of Novgorod said, “ We are burying Peter the Great! Contrary to everybody’s wishes and hopes he has come to his life’s end, he who has been the cause of our innumerable good fortunes and joys; who has raised a Russia as if from among the dead and elevated her to such heights of power and glory;…He was your Samson, Russia…He was your Moses…O Russia, he was your Solomon, who received from the Lord reason and wisdom in great plenty…Most distinguished man! Can a short oration encompass his immeasurable glory?”

10. You may be asking yourself, why should we care about these two guys? It is important to understand their accomplishments and downfalls. How they ruled was very successful but very oppressive. Ultimately many people felt suffocated under this type of government and this type of rule will lead to reform… the French Revolution and other revolutions around the world.