The Sun King: Louis XIV, France and Europe

With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, assess the value of these three sources to an historian studying discontent in France towards the end of Louis XIV’s reign.

‘In the years 1643 to 1648, the Regency government in France was weakened most by its financial policies.’

Assess the validity of this view.

‘France was strengthened by the Dutch War.’

Assess the validity of this view.

To what extent were the actions of Louis XIV, from 1685, responsible for the outbreak of the Nine Years War?

With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, assess the value of these three sources to an historian studying the beginning of Louis XIV’s personal reign in 1661.

‘In the years 1665 to 1675, Colbert’s most significant economic reforms were those promoting trade and commerce.’

Assess the validity of this view.

‘In the years 1685 to 1695, Louis XIV’s religious policies strengthened his authority in France.’

Assess the validity of this view.

To what extent was the Treaty of Utrecht a disaster for France?

With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, assess the value of these three sources to an historian studying the role of Cardinal Mazarin in the Frondes.

To what extent was Louis XIV’s invasion of the Spanish Netherlands in 1667 caused by his dynastic ambitions?

‘In the years after 1685, Madame de Maintenon played an important role in Louis XIV’s decision-making.’

Assess the validity of this view.

‘The Peace of Ryswick in 1697 strengthened France’s international position.’

Assess the validity of this view.

With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, assess the value of these three sources to an historian studying Louis XIV’s policy of Reunions.

‘There were significant changes in Louis XIV’s religious policies in the 1670s.’

Assess the validity of this view.

‘Louis XIV was responsible for the outbreak of the War of the Spanish Succession in 1701.’

Assess the validity of this view.

To what extent was Louis XIV’s authority in France weakened in the years 1704 to 1715?

With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, assess the value of these three sources to an historian studying the causes of tension in Europe in the years 1688/89.

‘Colbert’s financial and economic reforms, in the years 1665 to 1672, were successful.’

Assess the validity of this view.

‘It was desire for glory which led Louis XIV to go to war with the Dutch Republic in 1672.’

Assess the validity of this view.

To what extent did Louis XIV’s decision to revoke the Edict of Nantes weaken France at home and abroad, in the years 1685 to 1695?

With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, assess the value of these three sources to an historian studying the formation of the Regency Council in 1643.

To what extent was the decline of Spanish power the reason for France’s success in the War of Devolution in the years 1667 to 1668?

To what extent were the costs of war responsible for the financial problems of France in the years 1688 to 1697?

‘The War of the Spanish Succession was more successful for French interests outside Europe than within Europe itself.’

Assess the validity of this view.

With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, assess the value of these three sources to an historian studying the problems surrounding the issue of the Spanish Succession.

To what extent were Mazarin’s foreign policies more successful than his domestic policies in the years 1653 to 1661?

To what extent was the policy of Reunions in the years 1680 to 1684 more defensive than offensive?

‘Louis XIV’s religious policies changed significantly in the 1690s.’

Assess the validity of this view.

With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, assess the value of these three sources to an historian studying the economic and financial problems of the French monarchy between 1661 and 1666.

‘Louis XIV’s decision to revoke the Edict of Nantes in 1685 was taken primarily on religious grounds.’

Assess the validity of this view.

To what extent did Louis XIV’s authority weaken in the years 1685 to 1697?

To what extent did the Peace of Ryswick of 1697 damage France’s international position?

With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, assess the value of these three sources to an historian studying the reasons for the outbreak of the Dutch War in 1672.

‘The Frondeurs had failed by 1653 mainly due to the personal ambition of the Prince de Condé.’

Assess the validity of this view.

To what extent was Louis motivated by political factors in his struggle against Jansenism?

‘The Treaty of Utrecht completely transformed the balance of power in Europe.’

Assess the validity of this view.