Natasha Llanes

2288749

3 April 2012

IDH 4007

Declaration Project Louis XIV

Louis XIV

Overly pomp, extravagant style Spent incredible amounts of money on himself Always surrounded by servants

“He rose, was rubbed down with rosewater and spirits of wine, was shaved and dressed, observed by the most fortunate of his subjects” (McEvoy, 1913).

Chose to live lifestyle of excessive luxury instead of use his resources and funds on the people of France

Helped to eventually fuel the French Revolution

Depleting most of the funds; he left his successors, Louis XV and especially Louis XVI in the line of fire of the people of France.

The French Revolution was due to famine and poverty of the majority of people of France. The lack of change and concern from King Louis XVI was an outrage Caused the people to revolt against their government Not completely his fault

Louis XIV called for the building of the incredibly lavish and expensive Versailles.

Louis XIV

Chateau de Versailles

Proposed by Louis XIV as a center of royal court Moved the entire court to Versailles from the capital Paris, France. Remained the center of political power from 1682 to 1789

Center of political power returned to Paris, the year that Louis XVI was forced back at the beginning of the revolution

Reason was to distance himself from the population in Paris and gain control from the nobility (Solnon, 1987) A way to prevent the nobles from gaining their own regional power

Forced nobles to spend portions of the year in Versailles (Solnon, 1987). Withheld the power and widened the gap between himself and the people of France.

Symbol of overwhelming wealth, beauty, and absolute monarchism These characteristics not welcomed by the people of France Helped fuel the Revolution against the wealthy, distant nobility.

Had it not been for the construction of Versailles, perhaps the establishment of absolute monarchism in France may not have been as strong.

Louis XIV decision to build Versailles depleted France of its money which led to famine and riots in Paris

The famous Women’s March of Versailles was during the time of Louis XVI, but would have been less powerful had it not taken place in Versailles

The need for change was fueled by this excessive luxury.

Chateau de Versailles

Sun King

Louis XIV is referred to as the “Sun King” and is known to havestated “I am the state” (Royalty, 2012)

Promoted the divine rights of kings Unlimited authority

Louis XIV reigned as monarch for 72 years King of an absolute monarchy and attempted to reduce dependence on foreign

countries Ended feudalism Established taxes on the people for land, salt, and custom duties (Sturdy,

1998). Negatively affected the majority of France who were mainly taxed but did not

hurt the nobility This gap in wealth would eventually lead to the French revolution:

Overthrew the monarchy and motivated rights for the civilians. Centralized the government and power of France during his reign Had Louis XIV not become an absolute monarch, the people of France would not

have been motivated to eventually revolt and the previous establishment of feudalism may have continued The belief that he, Louis XIV, has a divine right to rule and could not be

questioned gave complete power of France to one man Very extreme and not favorable to the people of France

Sun King

Art and Literature

Great supporter of arts and literature Allowed artists to flourish Promoted the enhancement of French styles: Baroque Helped establish the French opera

Differed from Italian: focused on vocal and instrumental technique Attempted to centralize art and literature in France Able to control the art and constrained come of the sources of creativity Music style was influenced by politics and Louis’s patronage Supported Classical French writers including La Fontaine, Moliere, and

Racine

Had it not be for Louis XIV, the ornamental Baroque style would not have flourished in France as it did due to his funding. His contributions promoted this specific form of art, but it did prevent other potential styles from occurring under his reign. Also, the architecture built and preserved is still very important to this day, including Versailles, which is a lasting symbol of absolutism in France.

Art and Literature

Present Rights and Privileges

Louis XIV’s radically extravagant lifestyle repressed the people of France

French Revolution overturned the absolute monarchy Brought freedom and rights for so many individuals in France,

and eventually globallyThe French Revolution established rights for women

Right to a better education Directly affects me as I am presently in university The pioneering women who fought for these rights gave me the

privilege of higher education Protection of property Marie Gouze

boldest women at the time Wrote The Declaration of Rights of Woman Was guillotined and had an impact on awareness for women (Censer

and Hunt, 2001).

Present Rights and Privileges

French Revolution also resulted in the idea that all men are equal Lessened the power of nobles and the church

Abolished slavery As a middle class citizen, I am aware that the majority of people in power are wealthy

Does not mean that government and powerful positions in the workplace are exclusive to the rich.

Removal of class systems: have the opportunity to gain wealth and power Was highly unlikely to occur as a peasant during Louis XIV’s reign

A nation can become unified for an important cause Have the right to question our government and its practices I also have the right to vote and the freedom of speech and communication

Although the right for women to vote was not allowed until 1944 (in France), the Revolution brought the issue to the attention of the public (Censer and Hunt, 2001).

I will not be arrested or executed for voicing my opinion even if it is against my the government

All these rights stem from The French Revolution brought on by the repressing effects of the monarchs, including Louis XIV

Present Rights and Privileges

Censer, Jack R., and Lynn Hunt. "Liberty Equality, Fraternity: Exploring theFrench Revolution."Chapter 5 Page 4. American Social History

Productions, 1 Jan. 2001. Web. 31 Mar. 2012.<http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/chap5d.html>.

McEvoy, C. The Great Embassy: Studies in the Growth of Christianity. London: James Clarke &,1913. Print.

"King Louis XIV." Royalty.nu. 1 Jan. 2012. Web. 31 Mar. 2012.<http://www.royalty.nu/Europe/France/LouisXIV.html>.

"Sinisterfrog.com." The Interweaving of Music and Politics at the Court of Louis XIV. 9 Oct. 2008. Web. 31 Mar. 2012. <http://sinisterfrog.com/writings/louis-xiv>.

Solnon, Jean Francois. La Cour De France. Paris: Fayard, 1987. Print. Spielvogel, Jackson J. Western Civilization. St. Paul, 1991. Print. Steingrad, Elena. "Louis XIV - the Sun King: Absolutism." Louis XIV. 26

Nov. 2007. Web. 31Mar. 2012. <http://www.louis-xiv.de/index.php?id=30>. Sturdy, D. J. Louis XIV. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Macmillan,

1998. Print.

Citations