Absolute Monarchs in Europe

Louis XIV (Part 1)

King Louis XIV– Introduction

Video Clip: “Mini Bio: King Louis XIV” Source: https://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5Njjd6R6d0 Questions for discussion (after video):

1. What was his view of nobility? 2. Why do you think that he wanted to create an

extravagant palace? 3. How could one group of people leaving France

be so devastating for the economy?

Essential Question and Learning Goals Essential Question: How is society affected by those

in power? Learning Goals:

1. Describe King Louis XIV’s relationship with Nobles

2. Describe reasons why Louis believed he could expand the French Empire

Louis XIV

Quick Facts:Became king at age 4!Most powerful ruler in French history“I am the state”The (self-proclaimed) “Sun King”

All power radiated from him

Childhood Dangers

Cardinal Mazarin– Actually in power when Louis was a child king Hated by the people:

Increased taxesIncreased governmental authority

Nobles lead riots Life of King Louis threatened This would greatly influence Louis’

views/treatment of Nobles later in life

Childhood Dangers (cont.)

Why did the riots fail? 1. Distrust of leaders (nobles) in riots 2. Government used violence to stop riots 3. Common people feared continued fighting and

consequences People began to accept oppressive government

Rebellion no longer seemed worth while

Louis XIV Takes Control

Louis truly becomes king in 1661 Age 22 Cardinal dies Louis takes control Nobles excluded from council

Greatly weakens their influence Intendants

“A French government official appointed by the monarch to collect taxes and administer justice”

Help maintain his power/authority

Colbert’s Economy Jean Baptiste Colbert

Minister of Finance Money STAYS in France

Goal: Self-sufficiency (no help from other countries)

Expand business: Higher tariffs Less imports Government funding Tax breaks Manufacturing

Colbert dies Louis changes policies Progress DEClINES

Power of Louis

100 nobles in his palace Gain loyalty Intendants gain power (less supervision from nobles)

Palace at Versailles 36,000 workers and 6,000 horses to build 1,400 fountains 5,000 acres property (gardens, lawns, woods) 500 cooks, waiters, and servants Well over $2.5 billion in our current dollars!

Primary Source Analysis Activity Pass out copy of document to students “Saint-Simon Describes Louis XIV” (1695)

Source: http://piedmont.k12.ca.us/phs/faculty/mcowherd/advanced-placement-european-history/primary-sources-unit-five-absolutism-and-constitutionalism-in-western-europe-ca-1589-1715/

Students will be split into 6 different groups 1. Each group will be responsible for 1 designated paragraph

(Group 1 will have paragraph 1, Group 2 will have paragraph 2, etc.)

2. Each group member will be required to write a 1-2 sentence summary of their paragraph

3. Each group will then select the best summary from their group, writing it down on a separate sheet of paper at their station

4. Groups will then rotate between stations until they have written down the selected summary for each paragraph

Desire to Expand

Largest population (20 million) 4x population size of: England 10x population size of: Dutch republic (Netherlands) Dominant army:

Larger size Stronger weapons Better trained

Summarizer

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http://worldheritage.routes.travel/wp-content/uploads/1979/08/palace-park-versailles-3.jpg