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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.

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Key term

What did the Peace of the Pyrenees of 1659 mean for Louis XIV's later claims?

Key term

What was the growing diplomatic position of France in the 1660s?

Evaluation

What advantages of size did France enjoy over its rivals in 1660?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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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