1. Notebook Entry: Louis XIV 2. Can you explain, I am the State? EQ: How does the reign of Louis XIV reflect the characteristics of absolutism? Justification, Strong Economy, Prestige, Bureaucracy, Military Strength, Empire L état, c est moi By the end of class are objectives are to: -describe how Louis XIV caused changes in France -economic, political, and cultural brilliance -evaluate the impact of the changes Louis XIV brought to France Tonight s Homework: p. 521 (D) Lived (1638-1715) Reign (1643-1715) King of France What does this painting tell us? Meaning he started his 72-year reign at the age of 5. Jordans?!? I m tryin to cop the new Louies. Although Louis XIV stood only 5 feet 5 inches tall, his dignified posture made him appear much taller. Definitely poppin. 1
What does this picture tell us? Louis XIV Rules Absolutely Louis hated cities and loved the countryside. How might his hikes in the countryside of France have shown evidence of Louis absolute power? Advice to his sons the secret of his success Two things without doubt were absolutely necessary: very hard work on my part, and a wise choice of persons capable of seconding it. Louis Takes Control: Took control of the government at age 23 The scene has changed. In the government of my realm I shall have other principles than those of the late cardinal. You will know my wishes, gentlemen; it now remains for you to execute them. Weakened power of the nobles excluded them from councils Increased power of the government agents Intendants: collected taxes, administered justice Made them report to him regularly centralized control Economic Growth: Devoted to helping France economically Jean Baptiste Colbert Minister of Finance Believed in theory of mercantilism Stockpile gold and silver by exporting more goods than you import. Wanted to manufacture everything needed to avoid importation self-sufficient Government funding and tax benefits to French companies High tariffs on goods from imported from other countries Encouraged migration to France s colony in Canada (Raw materials Fur trade) 2
Mistake by Louis? After Colbert s death Louis made a change Cancelled the Edict of Nantes protected the religious freedom of Huguenots Thousands of Huguenot artisans and business people fled the country Royal Authority: Nobles had to live at the palace Made them totally dependent on Louis Took them from their homes and this gave more power to the intendants 3
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Grand Style: Spent a fortune to surround himself with luxury When he awoke 100 of the most privileged nobles would be at his canopy bed They were waiting to help him dress Only four would be allowed the honor of handing Louis his slippers or holding his sleeves for him Lesser nobles hoped to be noticed in the palace halls A kingly nod, a glance of approval, a kind word would determine whether a noble failed or succeeded Every meal was a feast Dinner At 10:00 p.m. dinner is served, the king did not eat as much at dinner as he did at lunch. Still he managed to sample many of the forty dishes served each night. Louis XIV dined with the royal family. Plates and utensils made from the finest gold and silver adorned the table. Louis and his queen sat on luxurious red, velvet chairs that faced out to a crowd of spectators. Although the room was filled with people, no one talked or laughed. Louis XIV did not like to be distracted while he ate. Dinner was well-rehearsed and lasted for 45 minutes. Louis employed 498 people for each dinner. Just bringing one course to the table required a procession of fifteen Officers of the Household, along with guards for protection. Anyone seeing the procession was required to stop and bow to the food. Officers tasted each dish before serving it to the king. If the king wanted something to drink, the Principal Cupbearer would cry, "A drink for the king!" Three servants would then spend the next 5 minutes ceremoniously bowing and tasting the king's wine and water before offering him a drink. from: Memoirs of Louis XIV and the Regency He looked to the right and to the left, not only upon rising but upon going to bed, at his meals, in passing through his apartments, or his gardens He marked well all absentees from the Court, found out the reason of their absence, and never lost an opportunity of acting toward them as the occasion might seem to justify When their names were in any way mentioned, I do not know them, the King would reply haughtily. How did Louis s treatment of the nobles reflect his belief in his absolute authority? 5
Louis XIV, par la grâce de Dieu, roi de France et de Navarre 6