Data Bases • Custom Term Papers • Free Term Papers • Free Research Papers • Free Essays • Free Book Reports • Plagiarism? Links • Top 100 Term Paper Sites • Top 25 Essay Sites • Top 50 Essay Sites • Search 97,000 Papers @ DirectEssays.com • Search 101,000 Papers @ ExampleEssays.com • Search 90,000 Papers @ MegaEssays.com Free Essays • Term Paper Sites • Chuck III's Free Essays • Free College Essays • TermPaperSites.com • My Term Papers • Get Free Essays • Essay World • Planet Papers	Search Lots of Essays Back to Subjects - History Other Louis XIV and Absolute Monarchism Louis XIV and Absolute Monarchism Louis XIV (the fourteenth) was an absolute monarch. He was often called “the Sun King,” and ruled over France. He devoted himself to helping France achieve economic, political, and cultural prominence. Many historians believe the phrase “absolute power corrupts absolutely” mirrors Louis’ reign. Louis XIV revoked the Edict on Nantes, changing the economy of France in one motion. By creating the city of Versailles and being a major patron of the arts, Louis was very influential on French culture. He made France go almost bankrupt from his costly wars and failures. Louis was very corrupt in his power, and it shown in all he did to change France; he got what he wanted, when he wanted it. 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. He revoked the Edict of Nantes, the document that said that Huguenots could worship Protestantism in peace. This infuriated the Huguenots, and they left with their skills. By the loss of 200,000 skilled workers and business leaders, France’s income dropped. Louis’ cultural goals were a large success. He changed French trends and etiquette, and was a major patron of the arts, meaning, he supported the art movements and artists, encouraging them and financing them. Because of Louis, France led Europe in the arts. He loved music and theatre. Louis was a great patron of the arts; he exceeded Augustus of Rome in his art aiding. He created the city of Versailles by turning his father’s hunting cabin into a magnificent palace in the village of Versailles. Construction began in 1668, and wasn’t done until 1710, but Louis moved in on May 6, 1682--showing his impatience. Politically, Louis was corrupt because of his greed. He fought costly wars--in the high numbers of casualties and monetary encouragement--at the drop of a hat. His country was the most powerful, and was very populous. His armies were large in size at peacetime, and even larger in wartime. Their strength, though, was no match for the failure Louis faced in wars. His wars left France almost bankrupt. He wanted larger borders, went to any extent to get them, but lost all of the three times he tried. He killed many men, especially in the War of Spanish Succession, which led to the end of his reign. Economically, culturally, and politically, Louis XIV was corrupt and tried to get more. His economic and political aspirations failed, while his cultural plans were a huge success. The Sun King died in 1715 at the age of 77. He dominated Europe culturally, but not militarily. He changed a lot for France, for the better and for the worse. The statement, “absolute power corrupts absolutely” is true for the case of Louis XIV. Bibliography: Word Count: 480
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