.           Louis XIV, French Absolutist, and Peter the Great, Russian Absolutist

 

Louis XIV in France

Film Vatel about Marie de Sevigné’s anecdote about a chef of King Louis XIV who felt dishonored when fish did not arrive on time.     

 

King Louis XIV  1643-1715.  Ruled 1661-1715.

In minority, mother Anne of Austra appointed Cardinal Mazarin as minister

The Fronde 1648-53

1661 "L’état c’est moi." 

Subordinates nobles to court ritual with Louis XIV as the center of advancement.

Sun King adopts manners of Roman Emperor

 

Controls arts—Academie française

Orders and controls themes of plays of Corneille and Racine

 

Design of Versailles. La Notre’s geometric order of gardens.

Royal workshops for decorative arts

15,000 lived at Versailles

 

Bureaucracy of Intendants to provinces.

Major ministers such as Colbert to advance French economic interests

 

Succession of wars extending territory on Eastern border.

 

Enforces religious conformity,  Revocation of Edict of Nantes 1685

Bishop Bossuet preacher of Absolutism.  “We have seen that kings take the place of God, who is the true father of the human species.”

 

Peter the Great in Russia

(ruled 1689-1725)

 

Often in cartoons, portrayed cutting off beards of nobles.  (Westernization)

 

Strengthened army, 200,000 men.

Engage all noblemen in state service, military, administration, or court.

 

Control arts. Founded Russian Academy of Sciences. Arranged performances of French

Plays by Molière. Set style of dress on French and German models. Upper classes to speak French or German.

 

Establish new capital at St. Petersburg, on Baltic Sea. Arrange building of palaces, gardens as in Versailles.