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Louis XIV is one of the most famous examples of an absolute ruler. Louis had a complete control over his country. Louse’s father had died leaving France in a civil war. Louis XIV obtained power after his father died and through hatred over the nobility that threatened his life and his mothers, though Cardinal Magazine ruled until Louis XIV took power after Magazine’s death. He vowed he would never be so weak that he could not have power. Louis XIV was an absolute ruler of France he centralized government, military powers, taxation, and further weakened aristocracy to become a more powerful ruler.
In 1661 Cardinal Magazine died. He was the main adviser to the throne and ruled France until Louis took power after his death. Through strong military opposition Magazine ended the rebellion. When Louis XIV ruled he furthered his power by excluding nobles from his council. Louis took the throne at the age of 26. When first taken he took the throne he quickly stated he would be his own prime minister. He reportedly boasted, “Latent, chest mom,” meaning “l am the State. ” Louse’s reign led to many harsh laws. Though thoughts of rebellion had been thought of no one dared to rebel the thought of rebellion consequences was too much for the people.
Louis XIV was a devout catholic and believed his “divine right” to rule was ordained by God. Although when Louis took the throne he was immensely popular among the people, he was commonly referred to as the “Sun King”. Louis XIV led France into a time of political and economic prominence. With his minister of finance, Jean Baptists Collect, the theory of mercantilism prevented his wealth from leaving his country. France had manufactured all needed goods in the country and did not have to rely on imports. To prevent France industries a high tax was placed on all goods from other countries making it too expensive to import foreign goods.
Also encouraging people to move to Canadian colonies increased the fur trade. Mercantilism is a theory greatly associated with absolutism. After Collect died Louis ended the Edict of Antes which ended religious freedom of the Hugeness as a result many Houghton workers fled the country. Since many Hugeness belonged to the merchant and artisan classes, they took their knowledge and skills with them. Louis had high control over the economy of France during his reign. This decision may be the worst mistake of his reign. Louis controlled France, the most powerful country in Europe.
The army was an estimated 100,000 in times of peace, and 400,000 during war. This vast army outnumbered many surrounding countries. Six years after Magazine’s death Louis XIV invaded the Spanish Netherlands. France ended this war with the Treaty of Immense. After many wars, countries in Europe had formed an alliance which matched France’s strength. With many wars France had started to lose money on these wars, as a result Louis had once again raised taxes on the French people. Louis XIV was extremely engaged in the sport of war. After the king of Spain oleo, a prior engagement stated ten grandson AT Louis x v wow a Decode King AT
Spain. This conflict led to the War of Spanish Succession. This was the most costly war France had engaged in almost bankrupting the country. The war ended where Louse’s grandson would become king of Spain, but the crowns of Spain and France would not be allowed to combine power. After many costly wars, tax raises, and bad harvests Louis became unpopular with the people of France. Louis had a taste for luxury and splendor. With much of the tax payer’s money, Louis XIV had The Palace of Versailles built. The cost of this palace would be an estimated $2 billion to build. Versailles contained 36,000 workers.
The Palace itself stretched for a distance of about 500 yards. The Palace was a grand monument to the power of Louis XIV. Louis XIV is one of the greatest examples of an absolute ruler. He strongly believed in mercantilism, a theory that is greatly associated with absolutism. His “divine right” gave him rule as a religious leader. The government was ruled unchecked under Louis as the prime minister and nobles not allowed in the council. Many wars were fought showing his rule. With many taxes he financed his palace, wars, arts, and luxurious appetite. Louis XIV was an absolute ruler of France he centralized ore powerful ruler.