1. M. Heath Absolute Monarchy in France In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms: Louis XIV Problems Faced By Louis XIV Centralized Government Versailles

2. M. Heath When Louis XIV became king, he wanted to rule France alone.

3. M. Heath Louis XIV did not want powerful Cardinals of the Catholic Church to influence his decisions.

4. M. Heath However, French nobles were not accustomed to paying taxes or listening to their king.

5. M. Heath Problems Faced by Louis XIV Each noble had his own army. Nobles paid little attention to the king. Sometimes nobles and their armies fought against the French king. Nobles frequently did not pay their taxes.

6. M. Heath All these problems existed because France had no central government.

7. M. Heath A Centralized Government Louis XIV centralized the French government or created one, strong government to rule France. He appointed officials to collect taxes. He increased the size of the French army. Every soldier in the French army wore the uniform of France.

8. M. Heath Every French soldier wore the uniform of France.

9. M. Heath Louis XIV built a palace at Versailles.

10. M. Heath Versailles Louis XIV built a palace at Versailles. He expected nobles to spend most of the year at the royal court, under his watchful eye. By closely monitoring nobles, Louis XIV could try to prevent rebellions against his regime.

11. M. Heath Louis XIV was called the “Sun King” because of his absolute power.

12. M. Heath Louis XIV fought many wars.

13. M. Heath Louis XIV’s wars cost French taxpayers a tremendous amount of money.

14. M. Heath Questions for Reflection: How did Louis XIV differ from previous French monarchs? What problems faced Louis XIV? How did Louis XIV centralize the French government? Why did every French soldier wear the uniform of France? Why did Louis XIV build Versailles?