21 2 the reign of louis xiv

The Reign of The Reign of Louis XIVLouis XIV

Chapter 21, Section 2Chapter 21, Section 2

Section OpenerSection Opener

After a century of war and riots, After a century of war and riots, France was ruled by Louis XIV, the France was ruled by Louis XIV, the most powerful monarch of this time.most powerful monarch of this time.

Religious Wars and Power Religious Wars and Power StrugglesStruggles

Henry of NavarreHenry of Navarre Henry, who was a Henry, who was a

French Calvinist French Calvinist (Huguenot) ascends (Huguenot) ascends to French throne in to French throne in 1589 and converts to 1589 and converts to Catholicism ending Catholicism ending the religious wars.the religious wars.

Issues Edict of Issues Edict of Nantes—a Nantes—a declaration of declaration of religious tolerationreligious toleration

Religious Wars and Power Religious Wars and Power StrugglesStruggles

Louis XIII and Louis XIII and Cardinal RichelieuCardinal Richelieu Louis XIII appoints Louis XIII appoints

Cardinal Richelieu in Cardinal Richelieu in 1624 as minister who 1624 as minister who rules France.rules France.

Increases power of Increases power of the Bourbons by the Bourbons by limiting Huguenots’ limiting Huguenots’ freedomfreedom

Also weakens power Also weakens power of the nobilityof the nobility

Picture of Picture of Louis XIIILouis XIII

Writers Turn Toward Writers Turn Toward SkepticismSkepticism

A New AttitudeA New Attitude Skepticism—the idea that nothing can be Skepticism—the idea that nothing can be

known for certain. It resulted from those known for certain. It resulted from those who were horrified by groups that claimed to who were horrified by groups that claimed to be the only ones with a correct set of be the only ones with a correct set of doctrines.doctrines.

Montaigne and DescartesMontaigne and Descartes Montaigne explores ideas about life’s Montaigne explores ideas about life’s

meaning in essays.meaning in essays. Descartes uses observation and reason to Descartes uses observation and reason to

create new philosophy and help develop create new philosophy and help develop scientific method.scientific method.

Louis XIV Comes to Louis XIV Comes to PowerPower

A New French RulerA New French Ruler Louis XIV is the most powerful ruler in Louis XIV is the most powerful ruler in

French history.French history. Louis the Boy KingLouis the Boy King

Hatred of Cardinal Mazarin, Louis’ Hatred of Cardinal Mazarin, Louis’ minister while he was a boy, leads to minister while he was a boy, leads to riots.riots.

Louis Weakens the Nobles AuthorityLouis Weakens the Nobles Authority Louis takes control of the government in 1661.Louis takes control of the government in 1661. He appoints He appoints intendantsintendants—government agents—government agents

—to collect taxes.—to collect taxes. Economic GrowthEconomic Growth

Jean Baptiste Colbert—finance minister—helps Jean Baptiste Colbert—finance minister—helps the economy grow. He believes in the economy grow. He believes in mercantilism.mercantilism.

In 1685, Louis cancels Edict of Nantes; In 1685, Louis cancels Edict of Nantes; Huguenots flee France.Huguenots flee France.

The Sun King’s Grand The Sun King’s Grand StyleStyle

A Life of LuxuryA Life of Luxury Louis lives very well, with every meal a feast.Louis lives very well, with every meal a feast.

Louis Controls the NobilityLouis Controls the Nobility Louis keeps nobles at palace to increase his Louis keeps nobles at palace to increase his

power over them.power over them. Builds magnificent palace at VersaillesBuilds magnificent palace at Versailles

Patronage of the ArtsPatronage of the Arts Versailles is a center of arts during reign of Versailles is a center of arts during reign of

Louis XIVLouis XIV Purpose of the arts is to glorify LouisPurpose of the arts is to glorify Louis

Panoramic view of Panoramic view of Versailles PalaceVersailles Palace

Another view of Another view of Versailles PalaceVersailles Palace

Drawing of Versailles Drawing of Versailles from abovefrom above

Queen’s Bed ChamberQueen’s Bed Chamber

Louis Fights Disastrous Louis Fights Disastrous WarsWars

Attempts to Expand France’s Attempts to Expand France’s BoundariesBoundaries Louis fights wars in the 1660s and 1670s Louis fights wars in the 1660s and 1670s

to expand France.to expand France. 1667-Invades Spanish Netherlands.1667-Invades Spanish Netherlands. 1672-Invades Dutch Netherlands.1672-Invades Dutch Netherlands.

In 1680s, many countries unite against In 1680s, many countries unite against him in League of Augsburghim in League of Augsburg

France is weakened by poor harvests, France is weakened by poor harvests, warfare, and high taxes.warfare, and high taxes.


War of Spanish SuccessionWar of Spanish Succession War of Spanish Succession begins in War of Spanish Succession begins in

17011701 This war attempts to prevent the union This war attempts to prevent the union

of the French and Spanish throne.of the French and Spanish throne. War ends in 1714; France and Spain War ends in 1714; France and Spain

lose some possessions.lose some possessions.


Louis’s Death and LegacyLouis’s Death and Legacy Louis dies leaving mixed legacyLouis dies leaving mixed legacy Rule makes France a major military and Rule makes France a major military and

cultural power in Europecultural power in Europe His wars and palace leave France with His wars and palace leave France with

heavy debts.heavy debts.

21 2 the reign of louis xiv

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