King+Louis+the+14th+of+France

Directions: Look at the following documents and answer each of the questions.

Document 1: "When he was 19 years old Louis the 14th became the king of France. Over the next 40 years Louis would rule France as an absolute monarch. As a result of his power and authority people called him the Sun King."

1. Inference: Why do you think Louie became king when was 19?

2. Inference: What does the title the " Sun King" say about the personality of Louie the 14th?

Document 2: The Sun King was at his zenith. Almost alone he had defeated a formidable coalition (Spain and the Holy Roman emperor had joined the Dutch against him) and dictated terms to the enemy. He had extended the frontier of France in the north by annexing part of Flanders and in the east by seizing Lorraine and the Franche-Comté. His fleet equaled those of England and Holland. Paris called him “the Great.” In his court he was an object of adoration, and as he approached the age of 40 he could view himself as far surpassing all other men.

3. Vocabulary: define the words zenith, annex and adoration?

4. Document based question: According to this document why did Louie the 14th "view himself as far surpassing all other men?"

Document 3: "I am the State [nation]." -Louis the 14th

5. Inference: What do you think Louis the 14th meant by this statement?

Document 4: "In my heart I prefer fame above all else, even life itself . . . Love of glory has the same subtleties as the most tender passions . . . In exercising a totally divine function here on earth, we must appear incapable of turmoils which could debase it." - King Louis the 14th

6. Document Based Question: Based on this quote what did King Louis value above all else?

Document 5 Versailles was approximately the price of a modern airport; it was an object of universal admiration and enhanced French prestige. All the power of the government was brought to bear in the construction of Versailles.

7. Make an inference based on the caption and the picture of the kings palace.