Humans fundamentally dislike change. Once we are set in a routine or have lived a certain way for an extended period we tend to feel comfortable and do not want change. Change tends to upset our habits and everyday life. This trait is the underlying basis of the obstacles King Louis XIV faced and overcame when imposing the new idea of Absolutism on a country that was nationally disjointed and politically untrustworthy.
Louis XIV took the throne in 1643 during a time of bad economic situations, religious wars, cultural differences and poor royal authority that left France, and most of Western Europe, separated and different. Louis XIV's goal was to build the basis for a super powerful monarchy, with absolute power and control, and to build up the country through his expressions of pure power.
In his pursuit of this goal, he was faced with many obstacles. Taking complete control of his country by establishing an absolutist form of government was not an easy task. He had opposition but reacted to it in new ways. The Nobles still held great power in France. They controlled some military power and had great political power because they represented the people of their region as the Estates General. They also served in parliaments and would surely not want to give up their power. Uniting his country was also difficult as they had religious differences that caused many people to believe religious uniformity was impossible. Regional differences such as local customs, dialect, and laws caused by the separation of the different provinces of France were another obstacle to national unity.
King Louis XIV reacted to these obstacles in a few different ways. To show that he had the authority to be an absolute monarch he brought the nobility under greater control, built up a large military force, which could defeat any revolt, and among other things created Versailles. Louis XIV realized how important symbolism was to any form of government because giving the illusion of power causes people to see you as powerful. Versailles was the greatest form of symbolism used by Louis XIV. Set on 37,000 acres, the complex included 6,000 acres of gardens with 1,400 fountains, a man made lake for boat parties, housing for around 20,000 people and more than 51,000 square meters of living space distributed over 700 rooms (p.41). Inside the palace were numerous paintings; many were of the King. The painting on the ceiling of the Hall of Mirrors depicts the King as being one with god, which supported his divine right (Source 4, p.54). The photo of The Royal Chapel at Versailles is a great example of the magnificence of the palace with its intricate carvings and shear size (source 10, p.59). Versailles was the ultimate show of power and money and it was meant to send a message to all who entered its grounds.
The People Louis XIV had working for him also helped further his intent and cause more people to agree with his ways. Bishop Jacques-Benigue Bossuet argued for the king by taking the stance that the King's power derived from God and that because of this he was above the law and exempt from having to listen to anyone else in the government. He believed this as well; he was given power by God therefore anyone that opposed him was opposing God and through this philosophy people were more easily controlled.
An additional reason King Louis XIV created Versailles was to bring together all the political powers of France. The heavily fortified Palace of Versailles became the capital of France as it housed all the nobles and people of high social stature where the king could watch over them and be sure to be the top man. It took nearly 40 people to wake the King every morning. “The chief physician, the chief surgeon and the nurse, entered at the same time. The nurse kissed the King; meanwhile the others rubbed him and often changed his shirt due to the king's habit of sweating profusely” (The Duke of Saint-Simon on the Reign of Louis XIV, p.51). After the doctors and nurse came in, the nobles would do their part in getting the King ready in the morning. This ritual was a way of making sure everyone under the King knew that he was in charge and had complete control. In effect, it belittled the power of the nobles.
Aside from his extraordinary show of power, Louis XIV united the country through religion and political policies. People of this time believed that national unity was impossible with the presence of different religions in one country. In response to this belief, the King expanded his boarders through war and eliminated the Huguenot minority, not allowing them to fortify their cities, by revoking the Edict of Nantes. Part of national unity also comes from improved economic growth. When people live more comfortably they respect, follow, and support the government that they are under. Working under the King, Jean-Baptiste Colbert created polices which favored trade, industry, mercantile, and effective transportation to bring the country together as one. These policies strengthened the economy and led France to become very influential to other surrounding countries through its culture and styles.
The success of Louis XIV's reign not only influenced Europe in the past, but even influences nations now. Modern government still understands the importance of rituals, such as holidays, symbolism, such as national monuments, like the ones in Washington D.C., and national unity which all of the United States President's constantly try to improve. Without the influences of France in the late 1600's, Europe and America may have become much different in terms of government, culture, and lifestyles.
