1. L’etat, c’est moi!!
Louis XIV ( )
The Sun King

2. Key Terms Louis XIV Sun King Edict of Nantes Bourbon Family
Fronde
Alsace-Lorraine
Intendants
Palace of Versailles
Levee
Edict of Nantes
Declaration of Clergy of France
Jean Baptiste Colbert
Code Louis
Wars of Expansion
Robert de La Salle
Louisiana

3. Background
Louis XIV was born into the French Royal Family “The Bourbons”
Mother could not have a child for 12 years
Birth seen as a miracle
"Louis-Dieudonné" (Louis the God-given)
Father died in 1643
Louis became king at age 4

4. Reign of Louis XIV Ruled France for 72 years Achievements:
Longest in European history
Achievements:
Centralized Power to an extent never seen in Modern Europe
Expanded French Territory
Made France the greatest economic, political, and cultural power in Europe
Built the Palace of Versailles
Louis XIV can be seen as the quintessential absolute monarch due to his centralization of power, expansion of territory, and pursuit of personal glory.

5. Outline
I. Centralization of Power
II. Expansion
III. Glory & Spending

6. I. Centralization of Power
Reigning in the Nobility
Religion
Military
Economy
Law

7. A. Reigning in of Nobility
For centuries, nobles had unchecked power
Ran the military
Refused to obey laws
Constant insurrection
Fronde (1648)- Insurrection by Nobles to keep feudal power, and not pay taxes
Louis built the Palace of Versailles
20 km outside of Paris
Forced Nobles to live there
Nobles had to participate in courtly rituals
Louis could keep an eye on Nobles
Levee – (rising) nobles competed to hold a wash basin for Louis in the morning.

8. A. Reigning in of Nobility
Replaced Nobles with Intendants
Nobles were loyal to the Nobility
Intendants – officials loyal to Louis XIV

9. B. Religion Eliminating freedom of religion
Louis cancelled the Edict of Nantes
Edict of Nantes (grandfather, 1598)– allowed freedom of religion for Hugenots (French Calvinists)
Limits on the power of the Catholic Church
Declaration of Clergy of France
Limited the Pope’s power in France, Louis had authority

10. C. Military Historically, French Nobles served as generals
Often challenged the king
Louis built a strong centralized military loyal only to him.
Nobles OUT
Administrators IN

11. D. Economy Louis arrested the old finance minister
Accusation of Embezzlement
Gave the post to a trusted ally
Jean Baptiste Colbert
Practiced Mercantilism
Made France rich!!!

12. E. Law
Historically, France was ruled by several different codes of law
Feudal past
Louis instituted the Code Louis
Centralized, uniform code of law for all of France

13. II. Expansion Wars in Europe Expansion in the Americas
Foreign Diplomacy

14. A. Wars in Europe Louis expanded French territory through several wars
Franco-Dutch War
Gained lands in the Netherlands
(from Spain)
France remained as the Great Power
War of the Grand Alliance
Everyone vs. France
Louis XIV gains Alsace Region
Half of the Alsace-Lorraine Region
War of Spanish Succession
Ultimately unsuccessful attempt to take over Spanish territories

15. Alsace-Lorriane – Region which France and Germanic Empires constantly fought over

16. B. Expansion in the Americas
Robert de La Salle explored:
Gulf of Mexico,
Mississippi River,
Great Lakes
Entire Mississippi River Basin claimed by France
Named?
Louisiana – After Louis XIV

17. C. Foreign Diplomacy Opened diplomacy with the Ottomans
Trade
Found Pondicherry in India
Missionaries in China

18. III. Glory & Spending Lavish Lifestyle and Spending
Diamond encrusted shoes
Expensive parties daily
Palace of Versailles
20 year construction
Regarded as the most magnificent palace in Europe
Symbol of the Wealth and absolute power of the “Sun King”
Also a symbol of the monarchy’s alienation from the people

19. Queen’s Chamber

20. King’s Chamber

21. Hall of Mirrors

22. Hall of Mirrors (2)

24. Outline
I. Centralization of Power
II. Expansion
III. Glory & Spending

25. Conclusion
Pros
Cons