With the help of his finance minister, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Louis XIV established reforms that cut France’s deficit and promoted industrial growth. During his reign, Louis XIV managed to improve France’s disorganized system of taxation and limit formerly haphazard borrowing practices.
Who was Louis XIV and what did he do?
Louis XIV (1638-1715) was king of France from 1643 to 1715. He brought the French monarchy to its peak of absolute power and made France the dominant power in Europe. His reign is also associated with the greatest age of French culture and art.
How did Louis XIV rule politically?
According to the political doctrine of the era, France was an absolutist, divine right monarchy . It was governed by kings who considered themselves sovereign and all-powerful because their authority was drawn from God. ... Under the first of these kings, Louis XIV, royal power was increased and extended across France.
What did Louis XIV say about government?
Louis XIV brought France to its peak of absolute power and his words ‘L’etat c’est moi’ (‘I am the state’) express the spirit of a rule in which the king held all political authority. His absolutism brought him into conflict with the Huguenots and the papacy, with damaging repercussions.
What did Louis XIV do for the economy?
He was responsible for making France a powerful economic power. He raised taxes and tariffs which immediately aided the State treasury of France.
How did Louis XIV treat his subjects?
The people are good-natured fools to suffer so long.” Louis saw and treated his subjects with contempt throughout his life . He saw it as their duty to fund his royal lifestyle, and little evidence exists of any sympathy Louis might have had for their poverty.
What made Louis XIV bad?
The Death of Louis XIV
He suffered from diabetes, gout, chronic headaches, and other ailments . He died of gangrene on September 1. On his deathbed he recited the Psalms and lamented he had not been a good king.
Who was the worst French king?
| Louis XIV | Born 5 September 1638 Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France |
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Who is the real father of Louis XIV?
Born in 1638, Louis XIV became king at age 4 following the death of his father, Louis XIII , and remained on the throne for the next 72 years.
What was Louis XIV nickname?
Louis XIV, byname Louis the Great, Louis the Grand Monarch, or the Sun King, French Louis le Grand, Louis le Grand Monarque, or le Roi Soleil , (born September 5, 1638, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France—died September 1, 1715, Versailles, France), king of France (1643–1715) who ruled his country, principally from his great ...
Which estate paid the most in taxes?
Who pays the estate tax? The top 10 percent of income earners pays more than 90 percent of the tax, with nearly 40 percent paid by the richest 0.1 percent. Few farms or family businesses pay the tax.
What were some of Louis XIV accomplishments?
- #1 He implemented reforms which improved commerce and trade.
- #2 More efficient taxation was introduced.
- #3 He reformed legally irregular France through his Code Louis.
- #4 Louis XIV encouraged the development of the arts during his age.
How did King Louis XIV come to power?
He became king at the age of four on the death of his father, Louis XIII. ... He regarded himself as an absolute monarch, with his power coming directly from God . He carefully cultivated his image and took the sun as his emblem.
How much debt did King Louis XIV have?
In order to finance the wars, taxation had to be raised, even imposed on the nobility (which used to be exempt) by the end of Louis XIV.’s reign, the public debt stood at 3,000 million livres – the kingdom was bankrupt.
Did Louis XIV ruin the economy?
Louis’ reign brought large economic gain and severe economic recession. He was the first king to embrace mercantilism in his country as the form of economy. Unfortunately, Louis was a devout Catholic, and ruined his economy with one move .
Why did Louis XIV expel the Huguenots?
In 1685, Louis issued the Edict of Fontainebleau, which cited the redundancy of privileges for Protestants given their scarcity after the extensive conversions. The Edict of Fontainebleau revoked the Edict of Nantes, and repealed all the privileges that arose therefrom.
