N. Fiedosieiev, Master's Student

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2640.2022.154-155.9


THE PHENOMENON OF THE FORMATION OF FRENCH ABSOLUTISM DURING THE PERIOD OF LOUIS XIV


Absolutism is a form of rule by a monarch, close to dictatorship. Absolutist tendencies arose in some countries of Western Europe in connection with the consolidation of their lands in the hands of one ruler, a large number of wars, the image of the monarch as "God's anointed" and other factors. This form of government is characteristic of Europe in the period of the 17th and 18th centuries. But almost in the case of every single country, we encounter certain "peculiarities" of absolutism.

The topic of absolutism as a complex phenomenon in the history of Europe is always relevant. The author's interest is caused by the contradiction between the meaning of the term "absolutism", which means totalitarian power, and the actual situation in Europe during this period. Constant factors and factors prevented absolutism from becoming truly absolute. All this draws our attention to King Louis XIV – a truly absolute monarch who strongly stands out from all the monarchs of the absolutist period. His reign and why it became possible in such a form is of interest.

Absolute monarchies were not allowed to become certain factors-peculiarities. It makes no sense to talk about the absolutism of the Holy Roman Empire and Italy, because at the time of the development of absolutism, these countries were not even integrated into one core, but consisted of a large number of independent duchies, counties, principalities and city-states. Three Western European countries came closest to absolute monarchy: England, France and Spain. But it grew up only in France. Here we will investigate, why it was so.

In the work, the author will reveal the specifics of the phenomenon of the reign of Louis XIV, as well as the complex set of factors that led to the possibility of such a reign. We will try to draw conclusions about why exactly in France and what exactly during the period of Louis XIV the monarch was able to be absolute, as well as revealing the topic of why it became impossible again after him.

Keywords: absolutism, Louis XIV, power creation, national creation, political science, forms of government.


Submitted: 30.11.2022

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