King Louis XIV ruled France as an absolute monarch from 1661 until his death in 1715. He weakened the nobility by excluding them from his council and empowering government officials called intendants. Louis also built the extravagant Palace of Versailles to consolidate his power and control over the nobility by forcing them to reside there. His minister Jean-Baptiste Colbert implemented economic policies aimed at making France self-sufficient, though progress declined after Colbert's death when Louis changed policies. Louis sought to expand French territory through its large population and powerful army compared to other European nations.