Louis in Primary Docs

• ruled from 1643-1715
• presided over France during prosperous time
• symbol of absolute monarchy
• extended France's eastern borders and secured the Spanish throne for his grandson through wars

I skimmed a primary document by King Louis XIV where he listed all of the provinces and cities that France lay claim to and they were numerous. France seemed to control Belgium because I recognized Luxembourg and this control over all these cities showed how France's political borders were expanding.

King Louis XIV expanded France's eastern borders through wars and muscled his way into Spain because his grandson took over the Spanish throne. This also showed the expansion of France's political boundaries.

King Louis XIV was groomed to become king as a boy, but did not immediately inherit the throne because of his youth. He was trained and, along with French, could speak in Spanish, Italian and Latin. Louis also demonstrated his own personal cultural talents, talents that a king needed to possess such as horsemanship and fencing.

Louis also showed his devotion to France through his social life. He loved the niece of Mazarin, the Italian Prime Minister and advisor, but knew that marrying Princess Maria-Theresa of Spain was the right move for his country. Along with ensuring the continuation of his line the marriage brought peace to two of the most dominant Christian countries in Europe.
(James H.)
Works Cited: Louis XIV. "A list of the 'Reunions' made by the Most Christian King in the Provinces of His Catholic Majesty in the Low Countries." Readings in Modern European History: A Collection of Extracts from the Sources Chosen With the Purpose of Illustrating Some of the Chief Phases of the Development of Europe During the Last Two Hundred Years, Volume 1: The Eighteenth Century: The French Re. Boston: Ginn and Company, 1908. World Book Advanced. Web. 6 Oct. 2009. "Louis XIV (1638-1715)." DISCovering Biography. Online ed. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Student Resource Center - Gold. Gale. Menlo School Library (BAISL). 6 Oct. 2009&contentSet=GSRC&type=retrieve&tabID=T001&prodId=SRC-1&docId=EJ2102101131&source=gale&srcprod=SRCG&userGroupName=menlo_schlib&version=1.0>. "Louis XIV." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 5 Oct. 2009