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The Age of Absolutism: French Royalty - Online Term Paper

The Age of Absolutism: French Royalty

The Age of Absolutism: French Royalty

The French took royalist absolutism to staggering heights. Louis XIV proclaimed himself the “sun king” after rising to power, which highlighted the role of the king as the center of the social and political universe. The absolute monarchy of Louis XIV was, as a form of government, a culmination of the medieval catholic doctrine of the divine right of kings. During Louis’ long reign France and the House of Bourbon became the leading powers in continental Europe. Louis established a strong central government and bureaucracy in order to collect taxes to support his large armies and extremely extravagant lifestyle. Louis XIV perfected the absolutist ...

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All in all, Louis XIV’s grandeur overshadowed all simultaneous monarchies in Europe.
The king feared the aristocracy because of its bigheadedness and rebellious history. When Louis was a child, the aristocracy supported a revolution against the royal government called the “Fronde” during which the royal family fled from Paris. Prior to that Louis was scarred for life by an infuriated mob breaking into the royal bed chamber. These events influenced important decisions regarding his selection of officials and other underlings. Along with allies such as Cardinal Richelieu, the “sun king” sought to limit the power of all other domestic factions and centralize the royal government. Louis brilliantly decided to hire bourgeoisie citizens with little cultural or political status, thus creating loyalty based on simple adoration. Who would dislike a king that gave them a high level government position? Jean Baptiste Colbert, his finance minister, credits the king’s decision by ...

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The Age of Absolutism: French Royalty. (2011, March 30). Retrieved January 22, 2025, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Age-of-Absolutism-French-Royalty/97234

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 3/30/2011 09:14:55 PM
Submitted By: Finng
Category: European History
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 979
Pages: 4

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