3.6 Louis XIV and Absolutism

The Sun King's Vision of Absolutism

Louis XIV believed in divine right monarchy — that his authority came directly from God. He centralized power in himself, famously claiming "L'état, c'est moi" (I am the state). He avoided calling the Estates-General, ruled without a chief minister after Mazarin's death, and used intendants to enforce royal policy directly in the provinces, bypassing nobles.

Versailles: Palace as Political Tool

Louis built the massive palace of Versailles and required nobles to live there, controlling them through elaborate court rituals, etiquette, and dependence on royal favor. This distracted the nobility from rebellion and stripped them of independent regional power, transforming them into ornamental courtiers rather than political rivals.

Economic and Religious Control

Louis employed Jean-Baptiste Colbert to boost the economy through mercantilism, tariffs, and state-sponsored industries, funding his wars and lavish court. Religiously, Louis enforced Catholic conformity by revoking the Edict of Nantes (1685), expelling Huguenots and weakening France's economy but reinforcing his image as absolute defender of the faith.

Key terms

Divine Right Monarchy

The belief that a king's authority comes directly from God, justifying absolute rule; central to Louis XIV's power.

Versailles

Louis XIV's grand palace where nobles were required to live, controlled through court ritual and dependence on royal favor.

Jean-Baptiste Colbert

Louis XIV's finance minister who implemented mercantilist policies to strengthen France's economy and fund the state.

Intendants

Royal officials sent to the provinces to enforce the king's policies, bypassing and weakening noble authority.

Edict of Nantes Revocation (1685)

Louis XIV's decree ending toleration of Huguenots, causing many to flee France and damaging the economy.

Try an AP-style question

Louis XIV built Versailles partly to…

1. give the nobles more independence
2. house the meetings of the Estates-General
3. store weapons for the royal armies
4. control nobles by keeping them at court