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Aim: What were the financial and military policies of Louis XIV?

Aim: What were the financial and military policies of Louis XIV?. What are some possible reasons why Louis XIV might be constantly short on money?. Solution: Mercantilism (developed by Jean Baptiste Colbert , son of a wealthy middle class merchant).

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Aim: What were the financial and military policies of Louis XIV?

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  1. Aim: What were the financial and military policies of Louis XIV? • What are some possible reasons why Louis XIV might be constantly short on money?

  2. Solution: Mercantilism (developed by Jean Baptiste Colbert, son of a wealthy middle class merchant) • Economic theory stating that a country’s power and wealth are based on how much gold and silver it has. • To keep gold in the country, you must develop a favorable balance of trade • To have a favorable balance of trade, France must be self-sufficient.

  3. How can France become self-sufficient and make Mercantilism work? • Encourage new industries in France (textiles) • Eliminate internal tariffs, raises foreign tariffs. • Improve quality of French gods (mandatory inspections, greater power to guilds). • Start a Merchant Marine • Establishment of colonies

  4. Mercantilism brings in revenue, but many of Colbert’s economic achievements are undone by Louis’ constant wars. • Louis will spend 33 of the 54 years that he personally controls the government at war. Why? • Bourbon family tradition • Taking advantage of the weakness of the Hapsburgs • He’s an absolute monarch! • Louis creates the basis of the modern military (traditional citizens are conscripted and trained to serve, soldiers are given standardized weapons and uniforms, ambulance corps cares for the sick, supply lines ensure that soldiers have food)

  5. Small Wars (1660s-1680s) • He invades Flanders (southern Netherlands) controlled by the Hapsburgs. Gains twelve towns. • Fights a six year war with the United Provinces (why would Louis hate the Dutch?), gains additional Flemish towns. • Takes Strasbourg, Lorraine and the French Comté (old business from the Hapsburg-Valois war).

  6. The War of Spanish Succession (1701-1713) • Spanish Hapsburg king Charles II dies in 1700, childless, impotent and insane (the joys of inbreeding!). • His will bequeathed the Spanish crown and its colonial empire to his grand-nephew Philip of Anjou (also Louis XIV’s grandson!). • Will violates a previous treaty, which agreed to divide Spanish possessions between France and the Holy Roman Emperor. • Louis wants to accept the will anyway! Leads to war!

  7. The War of Spanish Succession (1701-1713) • English, Dutch, Austrians, Prussians form the Grand Alliance to oppose Louis XIV. The war ends with the Peace of Utrecht (Philip can remain king of Spain, but the Spanish and French monarchies can never be united. France surrenders some territory in North America to England. England gets control of the African slave trade from Spain). • Results • Effect on French economy, peasants and feelings towards the Bourbon dynasty • Effect on England • Effect on Spain

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