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Louis XIV of France
King Louis XIV time of living -
Economic Growth
Over the 1660's, Jean Baptiste Colbert was the minister of finance for France. His main goal was to keep the wealth from leaving France and making the country more self-sufficient and manufacture everything without imports. He gave government funds and tax benefits to French companies. He recognized the importance of the colonies to produce goods such like fur. -
King Louis weakens nobels power and takes over government
When Louis's minister Cardinal Mazarin passed away, Louis takes control over the government. He weakens the power of the nobles and increasing dominance of government agents that collected taxes and administered justice. The king made sure local officials often communicated with him. -
Louis Expands France
Louis invaded the Spanish Netherlands and gained 12 towns. Continued towards the Dutch Netherlands but failed because the Dutch flooded the country side so the French couldn't get in. -
Louis XIV Servents of Nobles
Louis XIV grand lifestyle consisted of Noble workers. With control over the nobility, nobles had served him for his whole day. They helped dress the king, clean after the king and take care of the palace, and feed him. This increased the royal authority because the nobility relied heavily on Louis. Also they had to leave their homes, giving more power to the intendants. -
Palace at Versailles
The Palace at Versailles was proof of Louis's absolute power. This showed that he had complete control over the countries economy. Louis had forced about 36,000 laborers and 6,000 horses to work on the project. But the construction of the palace plunged France into terrible debt. -
Increased Influence of the Arts
Under Louis reign, France had become the capitol of the arts. Opera and ballet and play's had become very popular. One of Louis's favorite writers, Moliére, wrote fantastic comedies for Louis such as Tartuffe. which mocks religious hypocrisy. -
Louis XIV cancels the Edict of Nantes
The Edict of Nantes protected the religious freedom of Huguenots. But in 1685, he canceled this policy. In response to the cancelation, thousands of Huguenot artisans and business people fled France. Louis had now robbed France of many skilled workers which slowed the economic progress. -
Louis Fights Additional Wars
Louis decided to fight additional wars, but he drained all his luck. By the end of the 1680's, European countries had formed an alliance to stop France. They balanced the power so the smaller countries all banded together to match the strength of the French. Louis started to tax his people to help finance the wars, bringing suffering to the citizens. -
War of the Spanish Succesion
When Louis XIV 16-year-old grandson, Philip of Anjou took over the throne in Spain, other countries felt threatened by the power of the family. In 1701, England Austria, the Dutch Republic, Portugal, and several German and Italian states joined together to stop the unity of France and Spain. This caused the War of the Spanish Succession. -
Treaty Of Utrecht
The Treaty Of Utrecht was signed after the costly War of the Spanish Succession had came to an end. The treaty allowed Louis's grandson to remain as King of Spain as long as Spain and France wont become united.
