1. Absolute Monarchs of France
How was the French Monarchy weakened by Louis XIV?

2. Richelieu Strengthens the Monarchy
Louis XIII, of the Bourbon family was a weak king
Louis appoints a Cardinal Richelieu to help him rule
Richelieu’s goal is to strengthen the Bourbon monarchy & expand France’s Empire
Richelieu, a Catholic, will side with German Protestant Princes against Ferdinand Hapsburg in 30 Years War
France & German Princes win 30 Years War, France takes land from Hapsburgs
When Louis XIII dies, his son Louis XIV becomes King and benefits from a strengthened monarchy

3. Sun King’s Disastrous Wars
Louis XIV was known as the “Sun King”
Builds France’s wealth thru Canadian fur trade
Louis XIV wants to expand France’s territory
Louis invades the Netherlands
Stopped by England’s King William of Orange
2. King of Spain dies with no heir
Louis & Spanish nobles try to put his grandson on the throne
Starts War of Spanish Succession
France/Spain lose. England gets Spain’s Gibraltar & control of Spain’s slave trade
3. France weakened by wars and in heavy debt
After “Sun King’s” death Louis XV will lose France’s Canadian territory to England in the Seven Years War

4. France’s Debt under Louis XIV
650K
450K
400K
400K
200K
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3. What year did France have the lowest debt?
4. How much debt would France owe in US Dollars (1715)?
1683
22 billion