Preview

What did Louis XIV hope to accomplish in his domestic and foreign policies? To what Extent did he succeed? Be specific in giving examples of his successes and failures

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
411 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
What did Louis XIV hope to accomplish in his domestic and foreign policies? To what Extent did he succeed? Be specific in giving examples of his successes and failures
Louis XIV was an absolute monarch. He was often called "the Sun King," and ruled over France. He wanted to help France achieve economic, political, and cultural pinnacle. Many historians believe the phrase "absolute power corrupts absolutely" mirrors Louis XIV's reign. Louis XIV revoked the Edict on Nantes, changing the economy of France in one motion. By creating the city of Versailles and being a major patron of the arts, Louis was very influential on French culture. His costly wars and failures almost led to France's bankruptcy. Louis XIV was very corrupt in his power. It's shown in all he did to change France. He got what he wanted, when he wanted it.

Louis XIV's reign brought a large economic gain and severe economic recession. He was the first king to embrace mercantilism in his country as the form of economy. Unfortunately, Louis was a devout Catholic, and ruined his economy with one move. He revoked the Edict of Nantes, the document that said that Huguenots could worship Protestantism in peace. This infuriated the Huguenots, and they left with their skills. By the loss of upwards to 200,000 skilled workers and business leaders, France's economy plummeted.

Louis' cultural goals were a large success. He changed French trends and etiquette. He supported several art movements and artists by encouraging and financing them. France led Europe in the arts due to Louis XIV. He loved music and theatre. Louis XIV was a great patron of the arts. He created the city of Versailles by turning his father's hunting cabin into a grand palace. Construction began in 1668, and wasn't done until 1710. Showing his impatience, Louis XIV moved in 1682. Politically, Louis XIV was corrupt because of his greed. He fought costly wars, both life and money. His country was the most powerful and populous. His armies were large in size at peace time and even larger in wartime. His wars left France almost bankrupt. He wanted larger borders, went to any extent to get them, but lost all of

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Louis 2 did not support the Edict of Nantes that had been adopted in the previous century. Protestant clergy men were exiled from the land, and supporters of this faith were condemned to live a life of slavery and their children were baptized as Catholics against their…

    • 455 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    For Louis XIV, achieving religious unity in France was of major concern as it was a challenge to his absolutism. Being a devote Catholic, Louis wanted to unite France under Catholicism as the presence of other unorthodox religions meant that Louis was not supported in every way, like an absolute King should be. Many, including Louis, saw the King of France to be ‘The Most Christian King’, and so, in order to comply with this, achieving religious unity would be essential. Throughout his reign Louis XIV attempted to persecute other religious groups within France such as the Huguenots, Jansenists and the Quietists, his success and the consequences in doing so effectively decided his overall success in achieving unity.…

    • 995 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Why Is Louis Xiv Effective

    • 1100 Words
    • 5 Pages

    He lost four wages, on four wars. Because of that, France went into bankruptcy. France was at war for 30 years under the rule of Louis XIV. Louis XIV toughest war was the Spanish succession. His grandson inherited Spain, along with all of its possessions. He wanted to unite with him, which would give him other countries, islands and colonies to own. One of the main reasons why Louis XIV lost the wars he did was because of the balance of power. He was much more powerful than the countries he was about to go to war with, smartly, the European countries allied up with each other; balancing out the power between them and France. With the European powers allying to prevent Louis from uniting Spain and France together, they overpowered France. Louis agreed to the Peace of Utrecht; Spain and France crowns could never unite, giving the allied Europeans what they wanted. If Louis had won, he would have control of Spain’s Territories; of other small countries and American colonies. Putting in a great amount of money and losing the wars was not something Louis had intended, because of this, France was greatly in…

    • 1100 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    He collected taxes without the consent of the estates general in order establish many things, fund a series of wars, build a bigger and stronger military and to build his palace, the Palace of Versailles, when it was built he insisted that the nobles spend more time there (Doc 2). This eventually led the nobles into debt because they spent most of their time and money at the Palace of Versailles. The nobles being in debt meant that they lost status and power, which ultimately fed the basis for the French Revolution. Document 3 states; “The aftermath of the revocation was disastrous for France. Many of those who abjured [gave up] their Protestant religion repented of their weakness.”(Doc 3) This demonstrates that the removal of the Edict of Nantes drove people insane because it granted the people France substantial rights, however when the rights were removed by Louis XIV people became infuriated, which is another reason to why the French Revolution occurred. Fundamentally, the actions that Louis XIV took had a great impact towards his people. His actions ultimately led the people of France initiate the French Revolution, which left France and its people at a vulnerable…

    • 920 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    18. After the rule of Napoleon, Louis XVIII returned France to pre-revolutionary conditions in certain aspects of society and politics. For example, Louis brought back restrictions to religion, Protestants were tormented for their faith. Louis accepted the Code that had been developed by Napoleon but banned divorce, although it had been permitted during the revolution. Louis restored Catholic superiority, this had a trickling effect on the doings of the revolution, restricting rights and restoring inequality.…

    • 1139 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Why Is Louis Xiv Important

    • 2335 Words
    • 10 Pages

    When Louis XIV began his reign in 1643, France's capital was on the move, undergoing one of the greatest periods of expansion in its history. Louis was a young king with a great sense of style and history, and decided to make both himself and his country legendary. In the sixteenth century, the French were not thought of as the most elegant or sophisticated European nation, but by the end of the early eighteenth century France had a firm hold on culture, style, and luxury living.…

    • 2335 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Louis XIV strove vigorously for supremacy in foreign affairs. He was to use his foreign policy to establish a universal monarchy for himself or alternatively to use it to secure natural frontiers for France thus improving its defenses. He worked successfully to create an absolutist and centralized state. During his reign Louis was involved in four major wars, some of which Louis may be accountable as the provocateur; however, I believe that mainly his motives were purely defensive. The war of Devolution served as a pretext which nettled him part of Flanders, although the Dutch then moved against him with the Triple Alliance. Louis was determined to crush Holland and this began the third of the Dutch wars, which depleted his treasury. Louis proved an incredibly extravagant spender, dispensing huge sums of money to finance the royal court. The following ten years the king limited his policies to diplomacy. Louis continued the nobility's exemption from taxes but forced its member into financial dependence to the crown and the provincial nobles also lost political power. Louis does have a genuine concern for his country and despite his dubious methods he does manage to secure the territories that he wishes to secure. He curtailed local authorities and created specialized ministries. Louis's grandson retained the Spanish throne but the war of Spanish Succession left France in great debt and a weakened military. Louis used the bourgeoisie to build his centralized bureaucracy. He illustrated new administrative methods to make him more in control. Louis's general Colbert worked to improve the French economy. Colbert worked to create a favorable balance of trade and increase France's colonial holdings. He achieved a reputation for his work of improving the state of French manufacturing and bringing the economy back from the brink of bankruptcy. He reduced the national debt through more efficient taxation. His principal taxation devices included the aides, the douanes, the…

    • 407 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    King Louis XIV was a man of strength and courage with many ambitions that he was fully determined to achieve. He dedicated most of his rule taking steps to accomplish the goal of “one king, one law, one faith” for the country of France. By one king he aimed for the ruler to have supreme power over armies, government bureaucracy, and culture. This would eventually lead to the overall influence of the French upon other countries and their kings. By way of one law he aspired for the nobles to no longer rule over separate states but for one government with supreme power. King Louis had a desire for an absolute monarchy. As a result he would not be legally bound by any institutions or other persons in the country. This inclination was not easily met or as successful as he had hoped. Louis XIV sought religious unity between the French people, one faith. To do this he revoked the Edict of Nantes. King Louis XIV did not achieve his entire goal to the extent which he had anticipated but overall he was victorious, leaving a huge impact and influence on the French society and Europe as a whole.…

    • 747 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The reign of Louis XIV is often associated with the image of an absolute monarch and a centralized regime. However, his desire of absolutism and indulgence of war “disturbed and harried mankind during more than fifty years of arrogant pomp” which ultimately aggravate the burden of French and lead to the overthrow of absolute monarch of France. Louis held his simple views regarding religion that catholic church is an essential tool for maintaining the control of people and that it should serve the country as well as his bidding. In 1685 Louis revoked the Edict of Nantes; during the persecutions hundreds of thousands of Protestants left France, migrating to Holland, Germany, and America (Palmer 185). He had a profound belief in the uniformity of religion necessary to the strength and dignity of his ruling.…

    • 552 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Louis Xiv Dbq Analysis

    • 1168 Words
    • 5 Pages

    After he took power, Louis XIV made the nobility tax exempt, so the heavy burden of the taxes lied on the peasants, which made their already hard lives even tougher. In document 3, it explains how Louis XIV keeps his courtier in line so that they stay diligent in pleasing him. The documents also depicts his oppressiveness, stating that Louis XIV had many spies that tattled on anyone of any class which ruined the person’s life since the king was a prejudice who did not bother to ask for explanations. Other cruel changes he made during his rule was revoking the Edict of Nantes, which tolerated the Huguenots in France and gave them religious rights. In place of the Edict of Fontainebleau, which allowed the destruction of all Protestant churches and schools throughout France. During the War of the Spanish Succession, Louis XIV prioritized his personal interests above his country’s because he wanted to insure his grandson's, Philip V, right to inherit the Spanish Empire. The war weakened France and situated the country in a huge financial debt, which was blamed on Louis XIV. This shows his views on how to be a proper role of an absolute monarch; apparently, you can do whatever you want since you hold the power and as long as you keep those who have the ability to rebel under control. It also implies that his views are that…

    • 1168 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    At first, Louis' wars were quite beneficial. He was able to take over a few cities and began expanding his kingdom to what he considered its natural boundaries. More importantly, he was able to accomplish this without adding taxes to the people. But by 1684, the expansion ceased and the troubles began. He yielded territory to England, Spain, and Sweden. The wars of the next two decades did not provide any additional territories to France and strained the French resources. The…

    • 750 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Absolute Monarchs

    • 747 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The first area, and the area that affected the monarchs decisions in other areas the most, was religion. While Philip II and Louis XIV were both catholic, Queen Elizabeth was protestant, and were Philip II and Louis XIV were both very strict in enforcing a state religion Queen Elizabeth was much more lax. Because of their religious policy both Philip II’s and Louis XIV’s economy was irrevocably influenced. Philip II lack of religious tolerance combined with constant suspicion of the Marranos and the Moriscos both had immense effects on his economy. The constant support of the inquisitions tactics and suspicion caused the Moriscos to revolt. The Moriscos were defeated and expelled from the country. The animosity towards the Protestants caused a revolt by the Dutch and a humiliating defeat dealt to the Spanish Armada by the English Navy. The defeat of the Armada marked the decline of Spain’s naval power while the Dutch revolt marked the start of both English and Dutch “Sea Dogs” reign of terror on Spanish ships. Louis XIV was also apposed to Protestants and this also had devastating affects on his country. In sixteen-eighty-five the Edict of Nantes was repealed. This meant the Huguenots would no longer be able to practice their Protestant religion in…

    • 747 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Louis the XIV

    • 990 Words
    • 29 Pages

    Louis the XIV was king of France from 1693 to 1715. He was an example of how to rule for many of the political leaders of the 18th century. An absolute ruler is defined by seven traits. Pacify and subjugate nobles, and centralize power around oneself. Another is to make both money and war. Dominate culture, make religion and finally build something worthy of your glory. Two Enlightened despots that took after Louis were Joseph II of Austria and Peter the Great, Czar of Russia. Both rulers had enlightened and despotic characteristics. Yet Joseph was more Enlightened and Peter more despotic. Both characteristics were important to have a strong nation, but as Peter exemplifies having more despotic characteristics helps a ruler maintain power and strengthen the nation, more so then enlightened ones. Joseph II takes full power in 1780 after his mother Maria Theresa dies, instantly he begins to institute many enlightened ideas. Joseph is radical and makes many changes to long withstanding traditions in Austrian society and government. First, he grants religious freedom and cuts off communication between his state clergy and Rome. Though Austria had always been staunchly Catholic, now a person of any religion could practice it freely. This is a very enlightened idea much before its time. Also, it was one of his only major changes which were kept after his reign ended. This was how Joseph II fits under the trait of making religion work for you; he actually tried to make it work for everyone. Another enlightened reform he implemented was a universal law code in which all Austrians have to follow the same rules and suffer the same punishments. He eliminates noble privileges, in matters like taxation, and crimes. This reform angered the nobility and almost put the nation in crisis. But it was one last reform which set off a spark of rebellion. Joseph II outlawed serfdom, he freed millions of peasants. They were free to go wherever, and choose…

    • 990 Words
    • 29 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Louis XIV had complete absolutism because he had the divine right to rule. He thought god single handedly chose him to rule over france.Every finance,graces of any type,ect had to go thru him and had to get his approval and so he knew everything that was going on. He also had no checks and balances…

    • 104 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The nationalist perspective of King Louis XIV is that the head of the country is the nation and for society to prosper the people have to be willing to serve and follow the leader’s will. The source’s perspective can be shown throughout history by the beliefs and values he had during his reign in France. The source believed in the uses of a social hierarchy and the absolute monarch. The social hierarchy benefited the people who were part of the Roman Catholic Clergy or nobility. These people received privileges and were not required to pay taxes. The rest of the population had a difficult and challenging way of living. They were required to serve the king by paying taxes which lead to poor living conditions, in which some died from starvation. The absolute monarch allowed all the power in France to be consolidated in the hands of the king. This allowed for King Louis XIV to be the main voice in France and gave the power to decide how the country will operate. These ideals were the main contributions to start of the French Revolution, many people felt that they deserved better rights which lead the nation members to revolt and seek a better constitution. The source would disagree with J.D Vance’s idea to bridge the gap between the rich and poor. King Louis XIV would believe that he should not have to…

    • 1236 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics