Why Louis xiv didnt appoint a principal minister free essay sample

Before Louis received absolute power, there were several principal ministers before him; these were Cardinal Richelieu-father of Nicholas Fouquet- and Mazarin. When Louis came into power in 1643, Mazarin was the current principal minister, and it was only eighteen years later in 1661 when Mazarin died did Louis receive absolute power. When Mazarin died in 1661, Nicholas Fouquet aspired to become the next principal minister, but Louis, wanting absolute power did everything he could in rder to prevent this from happening. Cardinal Jules Mazarin was born in 1602, he was a Roman and this is why there were many disputes over his role in government. One uprising was the Frondes-the French civil war- which took place from 1648 to 1653. After the Frondes, Mazarin devoted most of his time on preparing Louis to govern personally. The cardinal met Louis almost every day to discuss politics and government. Mazarin took Louis into battles and educated Louis on how to rule a government. We will write a custom essay sample on Why Louis xiv didnt appoint a principal minister or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page However when Mazarin died 9th March 1661, Louis took over wanting omplete control. After Mazarins death, the position of principal ministers was empty, Louis was sure that Nicholas Fouquet wanted the role of principal minister, and so had to destroy him in order to ensure he kept 100% power. So in 1661, Louis prepared grounds for charges against Fouquet. Colbert, who also had ambition to rise in loyal service, did so, and in September 1661 Fouquet was arrested and accused of treason. After a lengthy and dramatic trial he was imprisoned for life. After Louis had destroyed Fouquet it was certain that Louis was to maintain absolute ower, which allowed him to do whatever he wanted, and meant there were no restrictions on his powers. Louis XIV believed that he was chosen by god and that he should therefore only answer to god and nobody else. Louis made sure that he was an absolute monarch by limiting the power of nobles by making them courtiers and he also abolished the use of a chief minister. Louis didnt want to appoint a chief minister as he believed that as he was king he saw that it was only fair that he could make laws as this was part of kingship. After the death of Mazarin, Louis decided that he would rule alone, and that he wouldnt choose a chief minister, which was something no French king had ever done before. This gave Louis even more power which is why he was seen as an absolute leader. As we have seen over Louis reign, he decided that he was to rule alone, we can see this because of the disappearance of Fouquet and his desire to make everyone else in parlement less powerful, which meant that he achieved absolute power. Why Louis xiv didnt appoint a principal minister By richardmealey