ABSO - Of Kings and Men: Louis XIV, continued. (Lesson)

Of Kings and Men: Louis XIV, continued.

His advisors.

Jean Baptiste Colbert:

He was a finance wizard, believed mercantilism was key to the state, government should place priority on increasing wealth; Following mercantilist policies, all resources should be put into the service of the state, and the state's wealth is measured by its ability bring in more money than it spends. To that end Colbert:

• Created national industries.
• Regulated imports and exports.
• Adjusted internal tariffs.
• Improved infrastructure.
• Increased the taille (land tax).

Marquis de Louvois:

He believed the army should be foundation of power, resources should be devoted to strengthening borders and the army.

• Constructed military academies.
• Built barracks.
• Created drilling grounds for practicing maneuvers.

Louis' goals were to expand France's frontiers and assert superiority over other European states. Louis relied on Colbert until a war with the Dutch (over maritime trade) was a bust. Then he began to lean on Louvois to expand the empire.

 

War of Devolution.

Louis' wife Marie-Therese was the daughter of Philip II. When Philip dies, he left all of his lands to his son Charles II. Louis argued that the lands should have devolved to the children of the first marriage rather than the second, thus Marie-Therese held a higher claim than Charles II. Louis moves to invade the Spanish Belgian provinces, but England, Sweden and the United Provinces ally to stop him. Louis has no choice but to seek peace and signs the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. Louis attempts a second invasion, but he is easily fought off by William of Orange.

 

War of Spanish Succession.

In 1700, Charles II of Spain dies with no male heir. He had changed his mind several times, but at the time of his death he chose Philip of Anjou, who is Charles' nephew, but also Louis' grandson. Louis saw this as an opportunity to unite the thrones of France and Spain and thus close off the Spanish empire to foreign traders. The other European nations wanted to maintain a balance of power.  In 1701, William of Orange and Leopold created the Grand Alliance, which they used to declare war on France on 1702. Louis now had to fight all of Europe at home and abroad (India, Canada, Caribbean.) The Grand Alliance won battle after battle. In 1709, France was hit with another famine. Rebellions ensued. Louis put down opposition at home but finally signed an armistice in 1714.

Peace of Utrecht:

• Philip is allowed to remain as king, but the French and Spanish thrones must remain separate.
• Gibraltar, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia are given to England.
• Britain granted the asiento (exclusive slave trading rights to Latin America).
• Sardinia and Prussia are recognized as official kingdoms, their rulers as the rightful kings . 

 

Review.

Review what you've learned by completing the activity below.

RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.