CCEA A-Level History 4010
England 1509–58AS Unit 1
England 1603–49AS Unit 1
Britain in the Age of Reform 1830–80AS Unit 1
Italy and Germany 1815–71AS Unit 1
Germany 1919–45AS Unit 1
Spain and Europe 1556–98AS Unit 2
The Ascendancy of France in Europe 1660–1714AS Unit 2
Ireland 1823–67AS Unit 2
France 1815–70AS Unit 2
Russia 1914–41AS Unit 2
Italy's Quest for Great Power Status 1871–1943AS Unit 2
Crown and Parliament in England 1625–1714A2 Unit 1
Ireland Under the Union 1800–1900A2 Unit 1
The Causes and Consequences of Great Power Conflict 1848–1945A2 Unit 1
The American Presidency 1901–2000A2 Unit 1
Clash of Ideologies in Europe 1900–2000A2 Unit 1
England 1558–1603A2 Unit 2
Ireland 1685–1714A2 Unit 2
Ireland 1778–1803A2 Unit 2
Partition of Ireland 1900–25A2 Unit 2
The Ascendancy of France in Europe 1660–1714
The foundations of French power under Louis XIV
- 3 things to know
- AS Unit 2
Overview
Aims of Colbert's economic policy, three of Colbert's measures to build French commerce and three of the marshals who won France's early victories.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
What was the growing diplomatic position of France in the 1660s?
What advantages of size did France enjoy over its rivals in 1660?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
When did Louis XIV begin to rule for himself, and what did he decide about ministers?
Model answer
Louis XIV took personal control of government on Cardinal Mazarin's death in 1661 and announced that he would appoint no first minister in his place.
- 2
What advantages of size did France enjoy over its rivals in 1660?
Model answer
France had about twenty million people, far more than any western neighbour, together with fertile land and a tax base no other state could match.
- 3
Who were Louis XIV's three leading ministers in the early personal rule?
Model answer
Colbert managed finance and the navy, Le Tellier and later his son Louvois ran the army, and Lionne conducted foreign affairs.
- 4
State the aims of Colbert's economic policy.
Model answer
Colbert aimed to increase the bullion in France by expanding exports, replacing imports with home manufactures and capturing the carrying trade from the Dutch.
- 5
Name three of Colbert's measures to build French commerce.
Model answer
Colbert raised protective tariffs, chartered trading companies for the East and West Indies, and subsidised royal manufactures such as the Gobelins tapestry works.
- 6
How did Colbert improve the royal finances?
Model answer
Colbert prosecuted corrupt financiers, cut the interest on the royal debt, reduced the taille on the peasantry and raised more from indirect taxes and customs.
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