Louis XIV ruled France as an absolute monarch for over 72 years and had a significant impact on French society and politics. He lived extravagantly, spending vast sums of money on expanding the Palace of Versailles and his court, which weakened the French economy through high taxes. Constant warfare also drained France's resources and led to the formation of alliances against French dominance. By the end of his reign, poor harvests, taxation, and decades of conflict left France financially depleted and militarily exhausted. Though Louis XIV's reign saw cultural achievements, it also saddled France with debt and set the stage for future conflicts.

1. Absolute Monarchs in
Europe
Louis XIV (Part 2)

2. Essential Question and Learning Goals
 Essential Question: How is society affected by
those in power?
 Learning Goals:
1. Describe the lifestyle of King Louis XIV
2. Identify factors that weakened the French
Empire
3. Describe the lasting impressions of Louis on
the French Empire

3. Think, Pair, Share Activity
 You will be shown a painting on the next slide
(Think) 1. Write a “6 Word Essay” to describe
the painting (IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE A
SENTENCE OR COMPLETE SENTENCE, JUST
DESCRIPTIVE WORDS)
(PAIR) 2. You will be put in groups of 2-3
students
(SHARE) 3. You will select 1 representative
from your group to share their 6 Word Essay to
the larger group

4. http://www.hellenicaworld.com/France/Literature/FPGuizot/en/6/015.jpg

5. Secondary Source Analysis Activity
 Pass out copy of document to students
 The Daily Routine of Louis XIV
 Source: http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-
content/uploads/2012/11/HIST303-1.2.2-TheCustomsofLouisXIV-
FINAL.pdf
 Individual Analysis Activity
 Students will be expected to answer the following questions (these
will be provided on the document):
 1. Write a summary of the document (2 sentences)
 2. What are the 3 main ideas that you took away from the
document? (3 sentences)
 3. How do you think that the treatment of Louis compared to
previous kings/queens? (3-5 sentences)

6. Louis XIV’s Wars
 1667 (Spanish Netherlands)
 Gains 12 town
 1672 (Spanish Netherlands)
 Dutch flood countryside  Save country
 1678  War ends
 Treaty of Nijmegen
 France gains more towns (Franche-Comte)

7. Louis XIV’s Wars
 1680’s
 Alliance forms against France
 Goal: Balance powers
 Goal: Prohibit dominance of a country (or countries)
 League of Augsburg
 Hapsburg
 Sweden
 Spain
 Smaller European states

8. France Becomes Weaker
 Poor harvests
 Constant warfare
 Increased taxes
Fund wars

9. War of the Spanish Succession
 French go to war, again
 1701-1714:
 England, Austria, Netherlands, Portugal, German and
Italian States
 Team up to stop Spain and France
 Feared they would join forces  Very dangerous
 Treaty signed to end war
Louis’ grandson remains king (Spain)
Only if Spain and France DO NOT unite

10. Death and Influence of Louis XIV
 Died in 1715
 Negative Aspects:
War
Death of his people
Taxes and debt (Palace of Versailles)
 Positive Aspects:
Boom in art and literature
Military leaders in Europe

11. Summarizer