Beyond Louis XIV Beyond Louis XIV

The Setting of the Sun King

It shoulda worked For France

It shoulda worked For France

Largest European population (21 million-ish; England was 6.5 million including Scotland)

An advanced economy

Structure imposed & controlled by Louis XIV

Other European states also exhausted by Louis XIV’s wars plus their own problems

The Monarchy of Louis XIVA tiny review

The Monarchy of Louis XIVA tiny review

Louis XIV also became king at young age, with mother as regent

Cardinal Mazarin, chief minister after Richelieu, provided advice

Louis raised to be king, taught skills needed from childhood

Young king supremely confident in ability to rule

When Mazarin died, 18-year-old Louis declared he would run government himself

“I am the state,” he declared

Louis XV (1715-1774)

Louis XV (1715-1774)

Grandson of Louis XIV successor

France ruled by regent Duke of Orleans until 1720

John Law (1671-1729)& Mississippi Bubble

John Law (1671-1729)& Mississippi Bubble

Trading company with Louisiana (Mississippi Company)

Printed paper money with no gold backing

Mississippi company controlled France’s national debt

Stock rose temporarily

Investors wanted to cash in, but there was no gold

Long term effects re: paper money and stocks

Duke of Orleans’ actions

Duke of Orleans’ actions

Involved monarchy more in government

System of councils where nobles served with bureaucrats

Result was Parlements: courts dominated by nobility

Different than English Parliament

French Parlements could not legislate, but could recognize monarch’s law or act (or not)=veto kind of a power

Louis XIV successful in restricting Parlements power

Duke of Orleans under Louis XV fully re-instituted powers

Reinforced by financial and moral weakness of Louis XV

ParlementsParlements

Cardinal Fleury 1653-1743

Cardinal Fleury 1653-1743

73 when he came to office!

Tried to block monarch’s ambition

Took hold of France’s finances, reduced some debt

Built roads and bridges

Never sufficiently taxed nobles and clergy

A Weakened FranceA Weakened France

Louis XV never strong ruler

Not trained adequately by Fleury

Bad boy and unmotivated to actually work

What is the connection between the Parlements, Fleury and the French Revolution of 1789?

Was France better off with an absolute ruler like Louis XIV?