Cavan Waldron
Mr. Dormer
Global 10
20 December 2016
Louis XIV of France
Despite questionable decisions, Louis XIV of France is the best example of an absolute monarch in the age of absolutism. Soon after Cardinal Mazarin died Louis XIV gained full power over all of France. During his reign, Louis lived a grand and luxurious life style, filled with expensive jewelry(among other trinkets), servants, and food. His central idea during his reign was to make France the central power of Europe. Since this was his idea, he needed to spend a lot of France’s money and resources on war. Overall, Louis XIV was a great example of an absolute monarch based on his ruling style and opinions. Louis XIV’s military activities were mainly focused upon the …show more content…
He thought of himself as ‘‘God’s deputy’’ (Louis, XIV) and no one was allowed to challenge his power. In a result of this, he would have fights and arguments with Popes. This lead to the suspicion that he would be breaking away from the church all together. To prove his devotion to the Catholic faith, Louis kept a strong force against Protestants living in France. Then, in 1685, he revoked the Edict of Nantes. This among other bold changes, such as kicking out all Calvinist priests, banned the practice of Calvinism all together, and stopped Protestants to move out of the country. Although, these actions seemingly unpopular, where actually quite the opposite. These actions granted great praise from most of Catholic France. Louis led the government of France into a better state of efficiency in the Catholic faith. Most of this efficiency was sadly lost after his death, and the efficiency became more “bureaucratic” (Louis XIV 1638-1715) and this was the lasting effect of this change. “Remembering the Fronde, Louis no doubt believed that anything was better than the semi-anarchy of the old days” (Louis XIV 1638-1715), this encouraged Louis to keep the change and to not go back to the older days. The main and most basic idea in the Fronde was the ‘noble anarchy’ and Louis was motivated to keep it this way. During his reign he tried to make the nobles more important, by turning them into royal advisers for the king …show more content…
He proved this through his military advances, religious unity, and his grandiose lifestyle.
Works Cited:
"Louis XIV (1638–1715)." Encyclopedia of European Social History, edited by Peter N. Stearns, vol. 6: Biographies/Contributors, Charles Scribner 's Sons, 2001, pp. 199-202. World History in Context, Accessed 4 Dec. 2016.
"Louis, XIV." Encyclopedia of World Biography, Gale, 1998. World History in Context, Accessed 5 Dec. 2016.
Shennan, J.H. Lancaster Pamphlets Louis XIV. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, Original Date 1986 Reprint 1993 & 1997. Print
"The Age of Louis XIV." Arts and Humanities Through the Eras, edited by Edward I. Bleiberg, et al., vol. 5: The Age of the Baroque and Enlightenment 1600-1800, Gale, 2005, pp. 119-125. World History in Context, Accessed 4 Dec. 2016.
"The Palace of Versailles." Science and Its Times, edited by Neil Schlager and Josh Lauer, vol. 3, Gale, 2001. World History in Context, Accessed 18 Dec.
Mr. Dormer
Global 10
20 December 2016
Louis XIV of France
Despite questionable decisions, Louis XIV of France is the best example of an absolute monarch in the age of absolutism. Soon after Cardinal Mazarin died Louis XIV gained full power over all of France. During his reign, Louis lived a grand and luxurious life style, filled with expensive jewelry(among other trinkets), servants, and food. His central idea during his reign was to make France the central power of Europe. Since this was his idea, he needed to spend a lot of France’s money and resources on war. Overall, Louis XIV was a great example of an absolute monarch based on his ruling style and opinions. Louis XIV’s military activities were mainly focused upon the …show more content…
He thought of himself as ‘‘God’s deputy’’ (Louis, XIV) and no one was allowed to challenge his power. In a result of this, he would have fights and arguments with Popes. This lead to the suspicion that he would be breaking away from the church all together. To prove his devotion to the Catholic faith, Louis kept a strong force against Protestants living in France. Then, in 1685, he revoked the Edict of Nantes. This among other bold changes, such as kicking out all Calvinist priests, banned the practice of Calvinism all together, and stopped Protestants to move out of the country. Although, these actions seemingly unpopular, where actually quite the opposite. These actions granted great praise from most of Catholic France. Louis led the government of France into a better state of efficiency in the Catholic faith. Most of this efficiency was sadly lost after his death, and the efficiency became more “bureaucratic” (Louis XIV 1638-1715) and this was the lasting effect of this change. “Remembering the Fronde, Louis no doubt believed that anything was better than the semi-anarchy of the old days” (Louis XIV 1638-1715), this encouraged Louis to keep the change and to not go back to the older days. The main and most basic idea in the Fronde was the ‘noble anarchy’ and Louis was motivated to keep it this way. During his reign he tried to make the nobles more important, by turning them into royal advisers for the king …show more content…
He proved this through his military advances, religious unity, and his grandiose lifestyle.
Works Cited:
"Louis XIV (1638–1715)." Encyclopedia of European Social History, edited by Peter N. Stearns, vol. 6: Biographies/Contributors, Charles Scribner 's Sons, 2001, pp. 199-202. World History in Context, Accessed 4 Dec. 2016.
"Louis, XIV." Encyclopedia of World Biography, Gale, 1998. World History in Context, Accessed 5 Dec. 2016.
Shennan, J.H. Lancaster Pamphlets Louis XIV. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, Original Date 1986 Reprint 1993 & 1997. Print
"The Age of Louis XIV." Arts and Humanities Through the Eras, edited by Edward I. Bleiberg, et al., vol. 5: The Age of the Baroque and Enlightenment 1600-1800, Gale, 2005, pp. 119-125. World History in Context, Accessed 4 Dec. 2016.
"The Palace of Versailles." Science and Its Times, edited by Neil Schlager and Josh Lauer, vol. 3, Gale, 2001. World History in Context, Accessed 18 Dec.