2. Focus Question
What was absolutism in theory, and how did its actual
practice in France reflect or differ from the theory?
3. Absolute Monarchy or Absolutism
Ultimate power in the state rested in the hands of the
King
King was given this by “divine right”
God established kings to rule
Power was absolute because God granted it
4. Areas of Authority
Laws
Tax
Administer Justice
Control Administrative System
Determine Foreign Policy
5. Case Study: France
Reign of Louis XIV (1643-
1715 is regarded as the best
example of absolute
monarchy
Eager for glory he created a
grand and majestic
spectacle at the court of
Versailles.
6. Louis XIV Images and Issues
Believed in theory of
absolute monarchy and
fostered the myth of himself
as the Sun King, the source
of light for his people
France suffered from
overlapping authority
Local estates, laws, and
customs
7. Administration
Reconstructs central policy-making machinery of
government
Royal Court of Versailles
Personal household
Central governmental machinery
Powerful subjects came to gain favor
8. Threat to Power
Was threatened by powerful nobles and princes
Removed by Louis by taking them off royal council
Kept them at court to keep them preoccupied with court life and out
of politics
Replacing them he relied on ministers who were subservient
to him
This granted him central authority over monarchial power
Foreign policy
Making war and peace
Secular power against religion
Ability to levy taxes
9. Religious Policy
Aimed to limit Protestant
practice and favored
Catholicism
Creates edict of
Fontainebleau
Destruction of Huguenot
churches
Closed Protestant Schools
200,000 leave France to
other nations weakening
French economy and
strengthening their
enemies
10. Financial Issues
The cost of building Versailles
and other palaces, maintain
court, and pursuing his wars lead
to financial crisis.
Jean-Baptiste Colbert controlled
the general finances
Increased wealth with
mercantilism, which stressed
government regulations of
economic activities for state
Lowers imports and increases
exports
Improved quality of
manufactured goods
Built roads and canals
11. Colbert’s Economic Issues
Regulations were often evaded
High tariffs brought relations
Policies made the king more powerful but was self
destructing
As money came in king went to war more often
12. Court Life
Set the standard and was followed by other European rulers.
Versailles and his court was a symbol for the French absolutist
state and power of the Sun King
Life here was based on ceremony with the king at the center
Active involvement at court was prerequisite for obtaining offices
Court was ridged with rank being key
Seating
Eating
Proximity
13. Wars
War was constant to gain prestige and military glory
Attacks Spanish Netherlands but sues for peace when
Dutch, English, and Swedes unit
Attacks Holy Roman Empire taking small bits of territory
Alsace and Lorrain
A new coalition forms consisting of Spain, the Holy Roman
Empire, United Provinces, Sweden, and England
War ends and Louis is forced to give up most of his conquests
14. War of Spanish Succession
Charles II leaves without children and willed it to a
grandson of Louis XIV
He became Philip V of Spain after Charles’s death and was a
threat to unite with France
Coalition of England, the United Provinces, Habsburg
Austria, and German states opposed France and Spain.
France is defeated and two years later the Sun King was
dead, leaving France impoverished and surrounded by
Enemies
