2. Louis XIV (1643 - 1715) Helped by chief advisor, Cardinal Mazarin. Frondes: 2 successive revolts of the nobility: crushed by Mazarin. 1659: Treaty of the Pyrenees ended French involvement in the 30 Years War and gave Maria Therese of Spain to Louis as his wife.

3. Policies of the Sun King Divine Right Ruler (Bishop Bossuet) Built up Versailles and was a great patron of the arts (Golden Age of France). Used intendents to strengthen royal power and control the power of the nobility. Desire for territorial expansion led Louis into 4 costly wars.

4. The Great Rivalries! NO!

5. The Great Rivalries! NO!

6. The Great Rivalries! NO!

7. The Great Rivalries Definitely NOT!

8. The Greatest Rivalry FRANCE Versus Hapsburgs

9. The Wars of Louis XIV GOALS:Increase French power in Europe and advance Fs territory in the NE at the expense of the Sp. Netherlands and the HRE War of Devolution (1667-1668) Louis claimed the Spanish Netherlands as his wifes unpaid dowry. Gained a small part of it as a result of the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle.

10. More Wars War against the Dutch (1672-78) Louis went back to get more Dutch territory and to claim Dutch commercial interests. Fought against the Dutch, HRE, Spain, and Brandenburg. Treaty of Nijmegen: France received another small piece of the Sp. Netherlands, but lost many valuable men.

11. Yet even more wars! War of the League of Augsburg:(1688- 97) Louis invaded Strasbourg and other Ger. border territories along the Rhine Opposed by Spain, Dutch, Sweden, HRE, and England Stalemate: Peace of Ryswick: Louis retreated from most territories in return for peace. France retains Alsace

12. War of Spanish Succession (1702 - 1713) Spanish king designated Louis grandson Philip as the Spanish heir and Leopold Hapsburg thought his son had a stronger claim. Important cause winner gets Spain Spains possessions in Europe Spains overseas colonies w/ the vast wealth War broke out and Spain and France fought England, HRE, and the Dutch. This bloody war ended in a virtual stalemate.

13. Treaty of Utrecht This treaty ended the War of Spanish Succession. Allowed Louis grandson Philip to become the King of Spain (Philip V), but forbade any combining of French and Spanish holdings or thrones. England received control of Gibraltar and of the Asiento (30 yr. slave contract to Spanish America). Elector of Brandenburg is now King of Prussia

14. Results As a result of the 4 wars fought during Louis reign, France lost many talented generals and found its economic situation to be unsound.