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Absolutism. Sovereignty resides with a king, who considered himself to be responsible to God alone To achieve absolutism, most kings need: Large standing army Control over institutions Cooperation/Control of nobility Foreshadowed totalitarian governments. Pre – Louis XIV.
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Absolutism • Sovereignty resides with a king, who considered himself to be responsible to God alone • To achieve absolutism, most kings need: • Large standing army • Control over institutions • Cooperation/Control of nobility • Foreshadowed totalitarian governments
Pre – Louis XIV • Henry IV to Louis XIII • Cardinal Richelieu • Destroy power of nobility – HOW? • Destroy influence of Huguenot – HOW? • Make France supreme power in Europe – HOW? • Make the king supreme – HOW?
Louis XIV The Sun King
Goals of Louis XIV • Destroy the power of the nobility • Weaken the power of the Huguenot • Make France the supreme power in Europe • Make the king the supreme power in France
Goal #1 • Move the nobility to the Palace of Versailles • Could now keep the nobility under his thumb • Nobility needed favors to advance in life • Court life at the Palace of Versailles becomes legendary
Goal #2 • Revoke the Edict of Nantes • “One King, One Country, One God” • 200,000 Huguenot flee the country, which ultimately weakens France
Goal #3 • Revise the financial system • Use Colbert as smart finance minister • Eliminate corruption in taxing system • Use subsidies and tariffs to bolster economy
Goal #3 con’t • Engage in Wars • Acquire new land and protection for France • Use military leaders like Louvois • Frequent wars ultimately hurt the French economy
Goal #3 con’t • Make French culture popular in Europe • Other rulers will adopt style of Louis XIV • French language, dress, culture will spread throughout Europe
Goal #4 • “I am the state” • Justifies rule by claiming the divine right of kings
Legacy of Louis XIV • France becomes strongest nation in Europe • Frequent wars, however, will weaken the French people and government • Absolutism spreads throughout Europe • After Louis XIV, the monarchy will begin to gradually lose power back to the nobles