November 18, 2013 Comparison of Two Extravagant Rulers in Superseded France
AP Euro
During the mid 16th century and 17th centuries, two tremendous rulers emerged in France. During the age of rule under both Henry IV and Louis XIV, France obtained an absolutist government, which the majority of citizens supported. Henry IV was more so a compromiser compared to Louis XIV who was at war the majority of his reign. King Henry IV clashes with the characteristics of King Louis XIV as a result. King Henry IV’s reign differed from that of King Louis XIV’s in militaristic, economic, and religious aspects. During his reign, Henry IV only fought two wars. Conquering the war of the three Henrys, thus enthroning him as king of France and fighting a short war with Savoy in 1601. The war of the three Henrys …show more content…
King Louis XIV was at war more than he was at peace. Louis XIV gained mainly territories due to his accomplished wars such as conquering Strasburg in Germany and Flanders in the Spanish Netherlands: grasping control of 12 towns. Only to have them rendered to the grand alliance in the Peace of Westphalia from the war of Spanish Succession.
Most of the wars fought by France under the reign of Louis XIV were mainly won due to the mammoth army Louis built up. As a result, King Louis XIV accumulated a massive debt, which overburdened the peasantry, causing the majority of the social class to emigrate. The King evoked Jean Baptiste Colbert as minister of finances to relieve France’s deficit. Colbert revived the wool industry and in 1683 France became the leading nation in the world in industrial production. Colbert also introduced mercantilism into France by the idea of selling more goods abroad and buying nothing back. This