The epitome of absolute monarchy was Louis XIV.
evident throughout France for sixty-one years during which time he brought a .
degree of centralized control never before seen. He had total control over all .
aspects of government and culture. He reorganized industry and commerce by .
implementing mercantilist policies and through these policies he was able to .
increase revenue all without any influence from the government. The policies of .
Louis XIV were directed at self-glorification and the glory of France.
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"The War machine" is a perfect example of Louis quest for self-.
glorification; he created an army that was nationally united and powerful enough .
to give him and the state the impression of invincibility. The military also served .
as a way to give the king the appearance of a war lord. "the king might not .
actually be a hero in battle, but he had to have the reputation of being one". This .
reputation was important to maintain due to Louis classist nature. .
Socially the king used this centrally controlled army to minimize the power the .
nobility had over him, by recruiting and maintaining an active army he no longer .
relied on the nobility for assistance at times of war. Louis was very good at .
keeping the nobility at bay, he invited them to stay at Versailles palace " all .
these aristocrats-socially interned, consigned to amuse themselves under the .
monarch's gracious smile. There was absolutely nothing to do but to engage in .
flirtation, sports and courts festivities." This kept the nobility happy and blind to .
the king's true plan. Louis did not want a repeat of Mazarin, where his father had .
failed he wanted desperately to succeed. He knew he had to keep the nobility .
happy and he knew how he would do it. .
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He strongly believed that "war was a natural pursuit of kings" and "if civil .
war was to be avoided, then external wars were required, foreign campaigns .
preoccupied and satisfied the nobility" this meant that in Louis's time war had .
