Justification For The Immorality Of Louis Xiv

’s Absolutism Essay, Research Paper

The rationalism and efficiency of Louis XIV s absolute monarchy is historically undermined by the oppressive social circumstances that prevalently result from the practice of absolute rule. There were restrictions on the individual rights and liberties of people living in the absolute French regime, however, the political, economic, and cultural benefits that developed from Louis XIV s absolutism justify the restrictions put on human rights in France. Louis XIV implemented several political reforms, challenging the old feudal system of government, and bringing French politics into eighteenth century. In addition to advancing political policies, French absolutism stimulated the French economy, strengthening commerce inside France, while protecting the nation from a flood of European exports. As well, supported by the absolute reign of Louis XIV, French culture rose to a new level of prominence, and French customs spread throughout Europe. Several esteemed philosophers that lived in the era of Louis XIV, including Hobbes and Voltaire, have written about the benefits and need for absolutism. These commentators praise Louis XIV for his political, economic, and cultural reforms. It is because of these reforms that Ragnhild Hatton, a professor of International History in the University of London, teaches her students that the reign of Louis XIV spanned a period during which France grew in power, politically and militarily, while achieving a pre-eminence in the arts of civilization which has rarely been equaled.

French government and bureaucracy, preceding the absolutism of Louis XIV, had been seriously eroded by the royal minority and the destructive tendencies of feudalism. The era of Louis XIV marked the first time in Modern Western Civilization that a king effectively became his own first minister, ruling the kingdom of France personally. While the king considered himself the absolute ruler of France, he was not a foolish leader, and understood that he could not efficiently control every aspect of French politics by himself. No important decision concerning France was made without his endorsement, yet the king still worked with a team of experienced and competent ministers. He tolerated no interference by selfish aristocratic prerogatives, working instead with representative bodies, attempting to safeguard his subjects rights. Through the centralization of government, and the employment of Versailles as the headquarters for French politics, the king was able to control feuding nobles, and establish himself as the sole ruler in France. Internationally, Louis XIV s absolutism distinguished France as a powerful and admirable nation. By 1680, France was considered by many nations as . . . the dominant power in Europe. Louis encouraged colonies in North America, building a strong navy for their protection. The armies of Louis XIII and Mazarin were a hard bitten, hard-fighting, undisciplined, ill-fed, badly paid rabble, held together by the prestige of famous generals and colonels, living by loot and extortion, things of horror and terror to the civilian population, friend and foe alike. In 1682, the system of enlistment consisted of attaching a youngster to a regiment, . . . to pick up what he could (usually bad habits) whilst the family lawyer haggled over a company for him. Louis XIV s reign abolished this system, creating nine cadet companies, each with an instructional staff for the benefit of the cadets. He built up the strongest army in Europe and produced the best generals. At the same time, beside from expanding French borders, the king succeeded in unifying his country, creating an aura of French nationalism. Louis XIV assembled the various French states, unifying them into the strong, independent nation of France. Critics of Louis XIV s absolute governing argue that the king restricted religious freedom, and was arrogantly in opposition to the doctrines of the Pope. In 1685, the king revoked the Edict of Nantes, which gave Protestants the right to practice their religion freely, without the threat of persecution. This action angered many people, compelling people to label Louis XIV as a contemptuous and pious oppressor. However, in reality, the king was only attempting to unite the French people, who were all essentially Roman Catholic, under a state religion. The fact remains that French absolutism was very practical, developing effective state bureaucracies and standing armies to carry out evolutionary reforms. Hence, through the abolishment of feudal customs, and institution of new political reforms, the government of Louis XIV is frequently viewed as one of the first modern governments.

Louis XIV s absolute rule carried through his bureaucracy, allowing him to stabilize the French economy. The government of Louis XIV made a variety of economic reforms, increasing revenue, and strengthening French economics. One such policy was that all lace sold in France had to be made in France. In Louis XIV s Letter s to his Heirs, he explains how his use of absolution helped the French lace industry: I was determined to cut short by my authority all the trickery that [lace importers] might use. In this fashion, Louis XIV increased the production of French exports, limiting imports through the practice of Mercantilism. The Minister of Finance for France, Colbert, ended local taxes on products moving within French borders, allowing intern