Absolutism

The People Louis XIV had working for him also helped further his intent and cause more people to agree with his ways. Bishop Jacques-Benigue Bossuet argued for the king by taking the stance that the King’s power derived from God and that because of this he was above the law and exempt from having to listen to anyone else in the government. He believed this as well; he was given power by God therefore anyone that opposed him was opposing God and through this philosophy people were more easily controlled.

An additional reason King Louis XIV created Versailles was to bring together all the political powers of France. The heavily fortified Palace of Versailles became the capital of France as it housed all the nobles and people of high social stature where the king could watch over them and be sure to be the top man. It took nearly 40 people to wake the King every morning. “The chief physician, the chief surgeon and the nurse, entered at the same time. The nurse kissed the King; meanwhile the others rubbed him and often changed his shirt due to the king’s habit of sweating profusely” (The Duke of Saint-Simon on the Reign of Louis XIV, p.51). After the doctors and nurse came in, the nobles would do their part in getting the King ready in the morning. This ritual was a way of making sure everyone under the King knew that he was in charge and had complete control. In effect, it belittled the power of the nobles.

Aside from his extraordinary show of power, Louis XIV united the country through religion and political policies. People of this time believed that national unity was impossible with the presence of different religions in one country. In response to this belief, the King expanded his boarders through war and eliminated the Huguenot minority, not allowing them to fortify their cities, by revoking the Edict of Nantes. Part of national unity also comes from improved economic growth. When people live more comfortably they respect, follow, and support the government that they are under. Working under the King, Jean-Baptiste Colbert created polices which favored trade, industry, mercantile, and effective transportation to bring the country together as one. These policies strengthened the economy and led France to become very influential to other surrounding countries through its culture and styles.

The success of Louis XIV’s reign not only influenced Europe in the past, but even influences nations now. Modern government still understands the importance of rituals, such as holidays, symbolism, such as national monuments, like the ones in Washington D.C., and national unity which all of the United States President’s constantly try to improve. Without the influences of France in the late 1600’s, Europe and America may have become much different in terms of government, culture, and lifestyles.