King Louis XIV
Definition
King Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, was a monarch of the House of Bourbon who reigned as King of France from 1643 until his death in 1715. His reign is often associated with the concept of absolute monarchy and he played a key role in the development of French colonialism.
Analogy
Think about your school principal who has complete control over what happens at your school - that's how much power King Louis XIV had over France. But instead of just managing a school, he managed an entire country!
Related terms
Absolute Monarchy: A form of government where the monarch holds supreme authority and where that authority is not restricted by any written laws, legislature, or customs.
House of Bourbon: A European royal house of French origin which is a branch of the Capetian dynasty. They were kings first in France then in Spain and Naples.
French Colonialism: The policy pursued by France to establish colonies abroad, including in America during the reigns of Louis XIV and subsequent kings.
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