1. Louis XIV: “The Sun King”
Sun as his symbol as the King of France!
“As the sun is the center of the solar system, the King stands at the center of the nation.”
“I am the State!”

2. Absolute Monarchs France Under Louis XIV
In the late 1500’s France was torn apart by religious wars.
Huguenots- French Protestants
St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre- Huguenot/Catholic nobles gathered for a royal wedding.
Violence erupted – 3,000 Huguenots were killed.
Symbolized a complete breakdown of order!

3. Absolute Monarchs France Under Louis XIV
Henry IV – Huguenot Prince inherited throne.
France was mostly Catholic – He converted
Edict of Nantes- Protection of Huguenots; walled towns and communities.
Killed by an assassin in 1610.

4. Absolute Monarchs France Under Louis XIV
Louis XIII – Nine-year old son of Henry IV.
Appointed Cardinal Richelieu to run his central government.
Smart man, but despised Protestants!
Persecuted Huguenots, strengthened central government, tore down walled cities and communities.

5. Absolute Monarchs France Under Louis XIV
Louis XIV – Became one of the most powerful Absolute Monarchs in history.
Estates General- Council made up of representatives from all classes of French society.
Louis NEVER called the Estates General to a meeting!!

6. Absolute Monarchs France Under Louis XIV
Louis XIV’s lifestyle:
Versailles – (Ver-si) – Palace near Paris that housed nearly 10,000 people.
Levee – high ranking nobles competed to hold the royal wash bucket or hand the king his shoes!
Raised taxes to support his expensive taste.

8. Absolute Monarchs France Under Louis XIV
Louis XIV reigned for 72 years!!
He was a devout Catholic and his policies caused 100,000 Huguenots to flee France.
These were some of the hardest working people in France.
Detrimental to the economy.
Louis also led many costly wars in an attempt to expand France’s borders.
His problems would come back to haunt his descendants.