M. Heath

Absolute Monarchy in France

In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms:

Louis XIV

Problems Faced By Louis XIV

Centralized Government

Versailles

M. Heath

When Louis XIVbecame king,he wanted torule France

alone.

M. Heath

Louis XIV did not want powerfulCardinals of the Catholic Church

to influence his decisions.

M. Heath

However, French nobles were notaccustomed to paying taxes or

listening to their king.

M. Heath

Problems Faced by Louis XIV

• Each noble had his own army.

• Nobles paid little attention to the king.

• Sometimes nobles and their armies fought against the French king.

• Nobles frequently did not pay their taxes.

M. Heath

All these problems existed becauseFrance had no central government.

M. Heath

A Centralized Government• Louis XIV centralized the French

government or created one, strong government to rule France.

• He appointed officials to collect taxes.

• He increased the size of the French army.

• Every soldier in the French army wore the uniform of France.

M. Heath

Every French soldier wore the uniformof France.

M. Heath

Louis XIV built a palace at Versailles.

M. Heath

Versailles

• Louis XIV built a palace at Versailles.

• He expected nobles to spend most of the year at the royal court, under his watchful eye.

• By closely monitoring nobles, Louis XIV could try to prevent rebellions against his regime.

M. Heath

Louis XIV was called the “Sun King”because of his absolute power.

M. Heath

Louis XIVfought manywars.

M. Heath

Louis XIV’swars cost

Frenchtaxpayers

a tremendousamount of

money.

M. Heath

Questions for Reflection:

• How did Louis XIV differ from previous French monarchs?

• What problems faced Louis XIV?

• How did Louis XIV centralize the French government?

• Why did every French soldier wear the uniform of France?

• Why did Louis XIV build Versailles?