Absolutism - How did Louis XIV establish himself an absolutist state in Francein the 17th century?
Absolutism
How did Louis XIV establish himself an absolutist state in France in the 17th century?
The dictionary definition of the word absolutism is ‘A political theory holding that all power should be vested in one ruler or other authority’. Louis XIV believed strongly in this and believed himself to be an absolute ruler. He used various ways to make his mark, beginning with the idea of absolutism as this was an attractive option when his personal rule began in 1661. He inherited this concept from his father and believed that he would be a superior ruler by following on this tradition. During the seventeenth-century, Louis constructed a great palace at Versailles, some twelve miles outside the city of Paris. It can be argued that Louis XIV had this palace designed so as to make visible the abstract political concept of absolutism, the idea that the king exercised absolute or unlimited authority over his lands and people.
Louis’ reign can be characterized by the statement known to him, “L’état, c’est moi” which translates, ‘I am the state.’ Louis sustained the nobility exception from taxes but forced its members into financial dependence on the crown. The provincial nobles also lost political power. He cut local authorities and formed specialised ministries, which only his professional ministers were a part of. When the first minister who was overseeing Louis VIX’s education died in 1661, the twenty-three-year-old king surprised everyone by announcing that he was going to be his own first minister and run the state himself. As did traditional absolutist rulers, Louis believed himself to be designed by God as the personification of the state. He thought he was the best one to decide what was best for the state. Although Louis never actually spoke the words "L'etat, c'est moi", Louis XIV unquestionably ruled France by the feeling they expressed. His own logo was a sun and he was sometimes called "The Sun King."
