Aim: In what way was Louis the XIV an absolute monarch? • Do Now: How would life in the U.S. be

different if it were ruled by an absolute monarch?

Mr. McEntarfer * Global History II * HSLPS

Instructional Objectives We will be able to:

Describe how Louis the XIV fit the mold of an absolute monarch

Evaluate the impact of Louis the XIV rule.

Agenda:

• Do Now

• Lecture Notes

• Document Activity

• Summary

Right to Rule Rests with one Person

No Popular Consent

No Interference from Representative Bodies

Louis XIV of France

II. Absolutism:

Absolutist Image

Medieval King Louis XIV of France

What differences do you notice between these two pictures?

• Divine Right – Claim by a monarch (king or queen) that they have the right from god to rule and that their laws are the word of god.

How does this picture show that Louis the XIV thought of himself as a

divine monarch?

Leviathan, 1651

• Thomas Hobbes

Humans are GREEDY and EVIL

King assures Social Order by controlling the peoples evil nature.

Support for Absolutism:

Why do you think Thomas Hobbes thought people were naturally evil

and greedy?

17th Century France

King Louis the XIV of France• Ruled France from 1643 to 1715 – Took the

thrown at age four and ruled for 72 years • Louis took the sun as his symbol implying that

he was the center of the solar system

• He is quoted as saying, “I am the State” meaning he and France were one in beliefs, accomplishments and faith.

Why couldn’t the U.S. president ever claim to be “the state” like Louis did?

Louis XIV Accomplishments• Created Europe’s strongest army (300,000 strong)• Built an immense palace at Versailles• Drained Frances • Controlled feudal lords through force• Spent huge amounts of money on foreign wars,

leaving France bankrupt

• Did Louis the XIV leave a positive impact on France?

• What might the people do in response to Louis actions?

Taming the Nobility:

Louis kept his enemies close. He demolished the castles of his nobility and made them stay under armed guard at his palace

Palace of Versailles: Theater of State

Why do you think Louis built his palace away from

the capital of Paris?

King’s Sleeping Quarters

Louis saved water by having soldiers only turn

up the water to the fountains when they knew

he was approaching

What does this tell you about the purpose of the

Palace at Versailles?

Fountain of Zeus

Reforming the Army:

Centralization

Professional Soldiers

Standing Army

Wars of Conquests:

What countries did Louis likely go to war with?

Wars of Conquest:

Colonies

North America

Caribbean

India

What countries colonize what is today the U.S.?

Resentment of Peasants

Nobles Resent Loss of Power

Bankrupt State

Never Abolished Parliament

Failures of French Absolutism:

Activity

• Complete Documents

• Answer central question on the back of the paper in a paragraph using all the documents.

Summary

• Is Louis the XIV an Absolute Monarch?

• Did he believe in Divine Right?

• What did Louis the XIV accomplish during his reign?

• If you were a citizen of France during the reign of Louis the XIV how would you describe him as a leader?

Homework: Homework: ““Absolute power tends to corrupt absolutely”. What Absolute power tends to corrupt absolutely”. What

does this quote mean? Does the rule of King Louis the does this quote mean? Does the rule of King Louis the XIV prove this statement. Explain in two paragraphs.XIV prove this statement. Explain in two paragraphs.