Absolutism in France

Absolutism in France

“L’etat, c’est moi,” “I am the state,” said King Louis XIV of France. Louis believed that he was the only one responsible for governing France when he ruled from 1643 to 1715. A tutor to his son once said, “As God’s representative on Earth, the king was entitled to unquestioning obedience. Louis reigned from the most magnificent building in Europe, the palace of Versailles. Full of the finest paintings, statues, chandeliers and mirrors, and surrounded by millions of flowers and plants, Versailles was the perfect symbol of Louis’ wealth and power. During his 72 year reign the Estates General, the legislative body of France, never met once. Without opposition he revoked the Edict of Nantes and taxed his people in order to wage costly wars against the Dutch and English.

Louis XIV

​Who rules the country?	What power does the Autocrat have?​	Where does this power come from? How do you know?​	Are there any checks and balances on the autocrat's power?​
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Open Ended

According to this passage, was one way that Louis XIV attempted to control the nobility?

Open Ended

According to Milton Meltzer, what was one action Louis XIV took in an attempt to control the Protestants in France?

Open Ended

According to Barbara Tuchman, what was one political consequence of Louis XIV's policy towards the Huguenots?