Read textbook pages 228–230: Response to Crisis: Absolutism

1. When did Louis XIV come to power and when did he die? King Louis XIV came to power in 1643 when he was four years old and he died in 1715.

2. What is absolutism? Why is Louis XIV used as an example? Why is he called the Sun King? Absolutism is a system in which a ruler holds total power. It was tied to the idea of the Divine right of king's. The ruler received their powers from God and had the ability to make laws, levy taxes, administered justice, control officials, and determine foreign policy without asking anyone else. He likes to be considered the Sun King, the source of light for all of his people, because he wanted to be viewed as the God so no one would question his authority.


 

3. What, according to the textbook section Government and Religion, was the greatest threat to Louis XIV’s power? What did he do in response? The greatest threat to his power was very high nobles and royal princes who believe they should play a role in government. The King invited the nobles and royal princes to his court and kept them busy with court life and out of politics.

4. What, according to the textbook section Economy and War, did Louis XIV (14) spend his money on? List as many as you can. The King spent his money on building palaces, maintaining his court, pursuing war, he maintained a standing army of 400,000 and waged four wars between 1667 and 1713, he added territory and set up a member of his own dynasty on the throne of Spain.

Read pages 234 and 235 for enrichment information on the lifestyle of Louis XIV (14). No questions associated with this section.

Read and outline textbook pages 340–342. If you want to, you can continue outlining because eventually you will have to outline through page 347.