Louis XIV - Section 2 - The Establishment of Absolutism at Home, 1661 - 1685

Absolutism

Where a king has absolute power over everything.

Why did kings have Absolutism?

• They were chosen by God and only answered to him,

• If chosen by God, it means they cannot make mistakes.

Dauphin

Heir to the French throne.

Divine right

God chose him to rule France so he couldn’t be wrong.

How did divine right limit royal authority?

• Succession law meant only male heir can succeed king,

• Kings had to do what God said,

• Some laws were above kings power,

  • Monarchs had to only do just and praiseworthy deeds.

What was Louis main goal?

To increase his gloire.

How did Louis try to restore royal rule in 1661?

• Actively lead conciliar royal government,

• disgrace finance minster Nicolas Fouquet,

• Curtailing the parlements’ power.

Why did Louis arrest Fouquet in 1661?

He saw him as a rival as he would always speak out against Louis.

What 2 purposes did Fouquet’s imprisonment in 1661 serve?

• Was a warning to other ministers to not defy him,

• Gave Louis the chance to personally control finance until 1665 when he promoted Colbert to Controlleur-general.