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Birth
Louis was born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France to Louis XII of France & Anne of Austria. He was their first child. -
Became King of France
Louis XIV became king at the age of four. He began to rule after the death of Cardinal Mazarin, his chief minister. Louis reign was the longest that ever lasted of any European Monarch. -
Gets married
At the age of 15, Louis XIV got married to 14 year old Maria Theresa of Spain. The marriage was made in the purpose to end the war between France and Spain. -
Weaken nobles & strengthen government
After Cardinal Mazarin died in 1661, 22-year-old Luis took control of the government by himself. He did it by decreasing the power of the nobles. Louis increased the power of the government agents called intendants. Louis had to make sure to communicate with the local officials. -
Mother dies
Louis mother, Anne of Austria had a hard time recovering from the death of her husband. She died later from breast cancer. -
Birth of first child
Louis XIV had his first child with his wife Maria Theresa of Spain. It was a daughter and they named her Marie Thérèse de France. She unfortunately passed away when she was 5 years old. -
Wants to expand France
Louis wants and also tries to expand France boundaries. He captured Spanish Netherlands, by doing that he gained 12 towns to France. Louis led his army to invade Netherlands, but France failed. France gained cities and even a religion, called Franche-Comte which means strength for people. -
Fights additional wars
Louis fought additional wars, in hope of gaining more land. By the end of the 1680's a European wide alliance formed and tried to stop France. Their strategy was to balance out the power. -
Expands the Palace of Versailles
Louis XIV expanded the Palace of Versailles to proof his absolute power. The palace was originally a hunting lodge that was built in 1624, by Louis XIII but Louis XIV wanted to expand the palace. The Palace of Versailles became the official residence of the Kings of France, from 1682-1790. The palace is famous and is very beautifully made. -
Supports the art
Louis supported the art and made it very popular, especially opera and ballet. During the Renaissance, Louis believed that the purpose of art was to praise the King and to help his ruling. -
War
A war lasted from 1701 - 1713, where various European states fought to stop the Bourbon family from controtlling Spain and France. France lost their colonies and also their wealth. -
Louis XIV Dies
The death of Louis XIV was tragic. He realized that all the wars have ruined France, starts to regret all the hard times and the suffering that the people had to go through. Louis died in his bed and when the news spread, the French people got happy.
