Absolutism, also known as absolute monarchy, is a type of government where the king has total power over both the government and the people in his country. His word becomes law. Various factors led to the establishment of Absolute Monarchy in France, but the style implemented during Louis XIV’s reign differed from the usual approach.
From 1498 to 1661, France’s political and cultural history can be divided into three phases. The first phase, lasting until 1559, focused on Italy as a source of conquest and inspiration for France’s own Renaissance. The second phase, from 1562 to 1598, was marked by eight civil wars known as the Wars of Religion. These wars involved theological disputes within Christianity and political controversies surrounding Reformation churches. The chaos during this time allowed the high nobility to attempt to gain power from the king, resulting in factions tearing each other apart. To restore stability, the weakened monarchy had to reconquer Paris in 1594 and expel the Spanish from the kingdom in 1597.
Henry IV played a significant role in restoring the legitimacy of the monarchy by legally recognizing French Protestants and granting them freedom of worship. His conversion to Catholicism in 1594 marked a new era and dynasty -the Bourbons. Despite having an authoritarian leadership style similar to his predecessors, Henry enforced censorship on writers and preachers for public peace purposes. Ironically, he fell victim to violence and religious passions he tried to suppress in 1610.
In the following fifty years, Cardinal Richelieu (1585-1642) organized the royal government’s reconquest of domestic controlThe monarchy heightened its surveillance of printing and imposed strict limitations on the developing press. The recently established Academie Francaise mirrored Richelieu’s broader objective of state domination over politics and culture by focusing on the French language itself. After quashing the final uprising of feudal nobles, all the elements required for an Absolute Monarchy were established, only requiring Louis XIV’s arrival to finalize everything.
Louis XIV revolutionized the concept of absolutism, setting his reign apart from traditional Absolute Monarchy. Although he held the highest authority in his government, he acknowledged the power held by his advisers, ministers, and the vast bureaucracy that he established. Louis XIV’s unique approach to absolutism gave rise to a highly efficient government bureaucracy in France, starting with the division of the government into committees, councils’ subcommittees, and bureaus managed by different ministers and secretaries of state. Remarkably, Louis XIV’s government functioned as an amalgamation of various governing bodies. To ensure efficient administration, Louis XIV employed intendants who supervised officials, reported on their actions, and could take over their positions when necessary. This organizational structure allowed Louis XIV to effectively govern France. The country’s tax collection system played a crucial role in maintaining economic stability: an extensive bureaucracy of tax collectors operated in twenty-six districts across France. Louis XIV’s absolutist methods carried over into his bureaucracy and significantly contributed to economic stability in France. The king utilized his power to implement several mercantile policies that positively impacted the French economy. For instance, he decreed that all lace sold in France must be domestically produced. In addition, the abolition of the freight tax on French citizens further stimulated economic growth under Absolute Monarchy.In order to provide additional assistance to French shipping, Louis XIV, who possessed absolute authority as a monarch, extended the stay of ships in French ports from rival nations seeking limited trade. Through these measures and other reforms implemented by Louis XIV, the French economy flourished and achieved significant prosperity.
Louis XIV played a significant role in elevating France to the height of civilization in the seventeenth century. His economic stability and efficient bureaucratic structure brought tax revenue to the French government. Under his absolutism, Paris transformed into a cosmopolitan city, with the establishment of numerous esteemed cultural institutions and the enhancement of architecture. Louis XIV’s contributions to Paris included investing in city clean-up, creating a police force, and paving the streets. He also commissioned renowned architects, such as Bernini from Rome, to construct grand and lavish structures. Notably, Versailles, Louis XIV’s palace, stood as one of his greatest architectural achievements. Collectively, these ventures implemented by Louis XIV propelled France to the peak of civilization.
In the seventeenth century, Louis XIV’s absolutism was largely beneficial for France. While some critics argue that he disregarded human rights and the well-being of the French people, Louis XIV himself wrote a letter to his Heirs expressing his satisfaction in serving his people. Moreover, his actions contradict accusations of neglecting human rights, as he implemented laws to protect black individuals from France’s African colonies. Many consider Louis XIV to be a king who actively worked to improve the prosperity of his country. It is evident that he accomplished more for his people than the combined efforts of twenty of his predecessors.
