Was Louis XIV a war-monger?

ASSESSING LOUIS XIV AS A WAR MONGER

The reign of Louis XIV in France is one of the golden periods of French history in all facets of state conduct . The young King had the advantage of sage advice during a major portion of his initial reign where Cardinal Mazarin the chief minister provided stability and in many ways authority to the regime . Amongst the many achievements to Louis XIV 's credit are establishment of the court of Versailles and bringing the concept of absolute monarchy in European polity . This notion has also

been chastised being that of absolute despotism which created affronts to many states in Europe . In turn this is also said to have led to many wars during the reign of Louis XIV . Thus some characterize his reign as that of a monster with limitless ambition . However more generous as Hassall find it difficult to estimate the influence of Louis due to differing positions taken by his subjects as well as the slightly paranoid manner in which the King conducted relations with other nations in Europe . That the French worshipped Louis as a demi god added to the rancor of other states particularly those that he invaded in one of the longest reigns by a monarch in the history of Europe . Thus the myth has grown that Louis XIV was a war monger particularly after the Spanish wars of succession . However nothing could be further from the truth Louis conducted war out of necessity dictated by the needs of the time The exploits on the battle field were followed up by many excellent measures to foster culture , art and architecture during the long years of his reign

Louis XIV 's birth had brought much joy and cheer in France . But this was not restricted to Paris and extended to other areas of Europe . This joy was to last throughout his reign in France not so in other states in Europe which suffered the vagaries of his conquests . Louis XIV is said to have fought a number of major wars as well as some minor ones such as the War of Devolution and the War of Reunions . Amongst his major campaigns were the Franco Dutch War , the War of the League of Augsburg and that of Spanish Succession . These were the key reasons for perception of Louis XIV as a war monger as so many conflicts is unusual in the reign of a monarch in Europe . This assumption however overlooks the long period of his reign as well as the consequences that had led to conflict

Another facet is the position of France in Europe during the period of his reign . The antipathy against the predominant position of Paris in Europe was all pervading . There was thus a necessity to ensure French sovereignty and safety be retained , an endeavor towards which the energies of Louis XIV were quite exclusively devoted . The polity in Europe was extremely fragmented and hostile . Under these circumstances for a monarch to make an...