Force and Statecraft of Louis XIV

Louis XIV’s controversial reign in France from 1643 to 1715 have been a fascinating subject of debate by historians for three centuries and will be for many centuries to come. It is widely known that Louis was no genius. However, he had character; his actions displayed his character and acted on common sense. Louis knew his limitations in specialized tasks such as finances and war and left it to talented ministers. Actions of these ministers were executed only if approved by Louis himself, therefore adding his personality and judgement into every segment of France’s affairs.

Proclaiming himself as The Sun King, Louis XIV demonstrated absolute monarchy in its purest form during his reign and was the subject of envy of other European powers for his wealth, military might, and his total control over his nobles and commoners. His infamous statement “L’etat, c’est moi?is an understatement. Louis?absolutism also extended into his control over foreign policy and warfare. Which in consequence, enabled him to echo his personality into France’s attitude towards the international system?

Force and statecraft of Louis XIV went hand in hand, as it was for many monarch

Devastation of Palatinate during the Nine Years War is another example of force reinforcing statecraft. He wanted to intimidate the German princes by decimating their lands, because he wanted them to submit to France’s authority by making them incapable of sustaining the war. Then, could he have made the German princes submit to his authority by other means? It will never be revealed, but the significant fact is that he did not try. His main tactic seemed to be intimidation through terrorization, which did not do so much good for France for it enraged and united her enemies. (Lynn 1999: 195) Typical of Louis XIV, force would once again rise to occasion to enforce his policies.

Edict of Fontainebleau that revoked Edict of Nantes in 1685 was a policy that proved to be fatal for Louis XIV and France. This policy of banning Protestant faith thereby uniting France under Catholicism forced many Protestants to convert or leave the country. In fear of an uprising, Louis XIV reinforced this policy by quartering soldiers into houses of Protestants or ‘nouveaux convertis?, the newly converted. (Lynn 1999: 176) As Lynn states, he did not shy away from using force to neutralize potential threats these Protestants had. Although it proved to be a devastating mistake and foolish to modern point of view, it was his policy for obtaining the status of the Christian king and he enforced it with force when it seemed fit.

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