AS HISTORY
TOPIC 1 : Internal affairs, 1661–1685
AREA 1 : Absolutism,
Divine Right and the practical and theoretical limits to Louis XIV’s authority
By the end of this unit
you should be able to:
(a)
Explain what is meant by absolutism?
(b)
Explain what is meant by Divine Right
(c)
Explain the historical arguments surrounding the issue of Louis XIV and
absolutism
(d)
Understand the practical and theoretical limits to Louis XIV’s
authority
(e)
Understand how different France’s monarchy was from England’s to draw
comparisons between Limited Monarchy and so-called Absolute monarchy.
(f)
Understand how Louis tried to project an image of power and absolutism
You should be able to
answer essay questions on Louis XIV and absolutism :
n
How far was France an absolute state
under Louis XIV? Is ‘absolutism’ a valid concept with reference to Louis
XIV?
n
How far was French absolutism based on
illusion? What was special about
Louis XIV’s kingship?
n
Was there a viable alternative to
absolutism?
n
How did Louis seek to develop the power
and authority of the Crown? Why did
Louis XIV decide to rule without a chief minister? Was Louis XIV an innovator?
n
What limits were there on the King’s
powers? Was Louis XIV’s really a limited monarchy?
RESOURCES
The standard textbook is
WILKINSON and chp 2 is all about Absolutism.
You will be given an
extended reading list when we study this topic.
TOPIC 1 : Internal
affairs, 1661–1685
AREA 2 : The
growth of central authority: the political and social function of Versailles
By the end of this unit
you should be able to:
(a)
Explain why Louis decided to set up Court at Versailles?
(b)
Explain how Versailles was designed to reflect the power and glory of the
King and of France
(c)
Explain the importance of Versailles as a means of control
(d)
Understand how Louis attempted to centralize power in France at
Versailles and the results
(e)
Understand how contemporaries regarded Louis’s Court
You should be able to
answer essay questions on Louis XIV and the growth of central authority:
n
How important was Versailles in
projecting an image of the King? What was the real significance of Versailles?
n
How did Louis XIV use Versailles as a
means of achieving social and political control? Did Versailles reflect the
existence of the estates?
n
How far did Versailles mask the realities
of power in Louis XIV’s France? Was Louis XIV’s publicity a con trick?
n
How far did Louis centralize power in
France?
n
How did contemporaries view their King
and his Court? Were the arts regimented by Louis XIV?
RESOURCES
The standard textbook is
WILKINSON and chp 5 is all about Versailles and social / political control from
the centre,
You will be given an
extended reading list when we study this topic.
TOPIC 1 : Internal affairs, 1661–1685
AREA 3 : The
increase of authority in the Provinces, including the use of intendants
By the end of this unit
you should be able to:
(a)
Explain the sources of power in France and the regional power bases
(b)
Explain how the provinces were run, and how far local rights and
privileges mitigated against royal centralized control
(c)
Explain how Louis sought to increase the power of the Crown at the
expense of local rights
(d)
Understand the role and purpose of the Intendants, and the extent of
their success in increasing royal authority in France,
You should be able to
answer essay questions on Louis XIV and regional control :
n
What problems faced Louis XIV in his
attempts to increase royal authority across France?
n
What was the role of the Intendants and
how important were they under Louis XIV? Did the Intendants help Louis extend
his authority across France?
n
How successful was Louis XIV in extending
royal control over the provinces?
RESOURCES
The standard textbook is
WILKINSON and chp 2 contains key points about the provinces and the Intendants
(pages 16-24), as well as chp 5 (pages 73-84)
You will be given an
extended reading list when we study this topic.
TOPIC 1 : Internal affairs, 1661–1685
AREA 4 : Financial
problems and policies, including the role of Colbert, taxation reforms and
attempts to deal with corruption
By the end of this unit
you should be able to:
(a)
Understand the economic problems that faced Louis XIV and the fundamental
problems in France
(b)
Understand the policies implemented by Colbert to try to overcome
France’s problems
(c)
Explain how far Colbert was able to turn the French economy around
You should be able to
answer essay questions on Louis XIV and finance :
n
What were France’s chief economic
problems in 1661? What were the inherent economic problems in France in 1661?
n
How successful was Colbert in
transforming the economy?
n
How important was Colbert’s role?
n
How successfully did Colbert solve
France’s taxation and corruption problems?
RESOURCES
The standard textbook is
WILKINSON and chp 4 is all about finance.
You will be given an
extended reading list when we study this topic.
TOPIC 1 : Internal affairs, 1661–1685
AREA 5 : Economic
policies: Colbert, mercantilism and state-run industries
By the end of this unit
you should be able to:
(a)
Understand the policies implemented by Colbert to try to overcome
France’s problems
(b)
Understand the importance of Colbert
(c)
Understand the concept of mercantilism and how it affected economic
policies
(d)
Understand the French attitude to industry and state intervention
(e)
Understand how economic theories guided economic policies
You should be able to
answer essay questions on Louis XIV and finance :
n
How important was Colbert in shaping
French economic policy?
n
How far was French economic policy
affected by economic theories and hostility towards industry?
RESOURCES
The standard textbook is
WILKINSON and chp 4 is all about finance.
You will be given an
extended reading list when we study this topic.
TOPIC 1 : Internal affairs, 1661–1685
AREA
6 : Religious policies: the problem of the Huguenots and
the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, 1685
By the end of this unit
you should be able to:
(a)
Understand the religious problems that faced Louis XIV
(b)
Understand the role of the Huguenots in French history and society
(c)
Understand why the Edict of Nantes was so important and why Louis decided
to revoke it?
(d)
Understand the problems caused by the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes
(e)
Have an awareness of how this fits into Louis’ overall religious
policies and actions
You should be able to
answer essay questions on Louis XIV and religion :
n
What religious problems faced Louis XIV
in 1661?
n
What were Louis’ religious priorities?
n
Why did Louis XIV quarrel with Rome?
n
Why did Louis XIV revoke the Edict of
Nantes? How serious a threat were the Huguenots to Louis XIV?
n
How damaging was Louis’ policy towards
the Huguenots? Did the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes do more harm than good
for France?
RESOURCES
The standard textbook is
WILKINSON and chp 3 is all about RELIGION.
You will be given an
extended reading list when we study this topic.
TOPIC 2 : Foreign affairs, 1661–1685
AREA
1 : France’s relationship with foreign powers in 1661
By the end of this unit
you should be able to:
(a)
Explain the background to French foreign policy in 1661 and France’s
relations with other powers
(b)
Understand Louis’ aims and objectives in 1661
(c)
Understand the military standing of France in 1661
You should be able to
answer essay questions on Louis XIV and foreign affairs :
n
How powerful was the position of France
within Europe in 1661?
n
What problems did France face in terms of
foreign policy in 1661?
n
What were Louis’ chief foreign policy
aims and objectives in 1661?
RESOURCES
The standard textbook is
WILKINSON and chp 6 is all about foreign policy.
You will be given an
extended reading list when we study this topic.
TOPIC 2 : Foreign affairs, 1661–1685
AREA
2 : Objectives of foreign policy under Louis XIV
By the end of this unit
you should be able to:
Explain how far did Louis
XIV’s foreign policy aims and objectives change during the period 1661-1685?
RESOURCES
The standard textbook is
WILKINSON and chp 6 is all about foreign policy.
You will be given an
extended reading list when we study this topic.
TOPIC 2 : Foreign affairs, 1661–1685
AREA
3 : The War of Devolution, 1667-68
By the end of this unit
you should be able to explain:
(a)
Why France became involved in the War of Devolution and Louis’
justifications
(b)
What was at stake in this war
(c)
How successful Louis was in the war
(d)
How the rest of Europe responded to Louis
(e)
The results and consequences of the war, especially with regard to the
Dutch
You should be able to
answer essay questions on Louis XIV and The War of Devolution :
n
How far did Louis achieve his aims in the
War of Devolution?
n
What were the consequences of the War of
Devolution?
RESOURCES
The standard textbook is
WILKINSON and chp 6 is all about foreign policy.
You will be given an
extended reading list when we study this topic.
TOPIC 2 : Foreign affairs, 1661–1685
AREA
4 : The Dutch War, 1672-79
By the end of this unit
you should be able to:
(a)
Understand why Louis goes to war against the Dutch in 1672
(b)
Understand how far the Dutch War was a crime and a blunder?
(c)
Explain how damaging was the Dutch War for France?
(d)
Explain what Louis achieved in the Dutch War?
You should be able to
answer essay questions on Louis XIV and foreign policy :
n
How far did Louis achieve his aims in the
Dutch War?
n
Was the Dutch War a blunder by Louis XIV?
n
Did Louis lose more than he gained in the
Dutch War?
RESOURCES
The standard textbook is
WILKINSON and chp 6 is all about foreign policy.
You will be given an
extended reading list when we study this topic.
TOPIC 2 : Foreign affairs, 1661–1685
AREA
5 : The Reunions : From Nymegen to Ratisbon, 1679-84
By the end of this unit
you should be able to:
(a)
Understand how far success went to Louis’ head during this period and
turned him into an aggressor
(b)
Understand the importance of the Chambres de Reunion and how these
affected French foreign policy
(c)
Explain how successful Louis’ foreign policy was during this period?
(d)
Explain was this period the high-mark of French foreign policy?
(e)
Explain why Louis was so successful in his foreign policy between 1679
and 1684?
You should be able to
answer essay questions on Louis XIV and foreign policy :
n
How successful was Louis’ foreign
policy during the period 1679-1684?
n
Did the treaty of Ratisbon mark the
high-point of Louis’ power in Europe?
n
Why was France so successful between 1679
and 1684?
RESOURCES
The standard textbook is
WILKINSON and chp 6 is all about foreign policy.
You will be given an
extended reading list when we study this topic.
TOPIC 3 : Internal affairs, 1685–1715
AREA
1 : The extension of royal authority and relations with the
nobility
By the end of this unit
you should be able to:
(a)
Understand the policies pursued by Louis XIV to extend royal control
during the period 1685-1715
(b)
Understand how successful the policies were
(c)
Understand how important was Louis’ relations with the nobility and how
far this limited his power
(d)
Understand the importance of Versailles in controlling the nobility
You should be able to
answer essay questions on Louis XIV and finance :
n
How successful was Louis XIV in extending
royal authority between 1685 and 1715?
n
How successful was Louis XIV in his
dealings with the French nobility?
RESOURCES
The standard textbook is
WILKINSON and chp 5 is relevant.
You will be given an
extended reading list when we study this topic.
TOPIC 3 : Internal affairs, 1685–1715
AREA
2 : Financial problems, especially the expense of war
By the end of this unit
you should be able to explain:
(a)
What were the economic problems facing France during this period?
(b)
The effects of Louis’ aggressive foreign policy on the economy
You should be able to
answer essay questions on Louis XIV and finance :
n
What were the economic problems facing
France during this period?
n
Did Louis’ wars destroy the French
economy?
RESOURCES
The standard textbook is
WILKINSON and chp 4 is all about finance.
You will be given an
extended reading list when we study this topic.
TOPIC 3 : Internal affairs, 1685–1715
AREA
3 : Economic policies, including the successes and failures
of overseas trading companies
By the end of this unit
you should be able to:
(a)
Explain how the economy was managed after Colbert and with what results
(b)
Explain the methods used to try to strengthen the economy
(c)
Explain the success and failures of overseas trading companies
You should be able to
answer essay questions on Louis XIV and finance :
n
What were France’s chief economic
problems in between 1685 and 1715?
n
How successful were French finance
ministers in transforming the economy between 1685 and 1715?
n
How successful were the French overseas
trading companies between 1685 and 1715?
RESOURCES
The standard textbook is
WILKINSON and chp 4 is all about finance.
You will be given an
extended reading list when we study this topic.
TOPIC 3 : Internal affairs, 1685–1715
AREA
4 : Religious policies: the problem of Jansenism and the
Parlements
By the end of this unit
you should be able to:
(a)
Understand the religious problems that faced Louis XIV after 1685
(b)
Understand the role of the Jansenists and their conflicts with Louis
(c)
Understand the Quietist affair
(d)
Understand how religion impact on politics
You should be able to
answer essay questions on Louis XIV and religion :
n
What religious problems faced Louis XIV
in 1685?
n
What were Louis’ religious priorities?
n
What was at stake in Louis XIV’s
conflicts with Jansenists?
n
What light does the Quietist affair throw
on the religious scene under Louis XIV?
RESOURCES
The standard textbook is
WILKINSON and chp 3 is all about RELIGION.
You will be given an
extended reading list when we study this topic.
TOPIC 3 : Internal affairs, 1685–1715
AREA
5 : The extent to which Louis XIV had achieved his
objectives within France by 1715
By the end of this unit
you should be able to:
(a)
Understand what Louis’ objectives had been
(b)
Understand how far these were achieved
(c)
Understand how far foreign policy undermined these objectives
(d)
Understand why Louis’ death was welcomed by most Frenchmen in 1715
You should be able to
answer essay questions on Louis XIV and religion :
n
What were Louis objectives for France and
how far had he achieved these by the time of his death?
n
How far was foreign policy disastrous for
Louis’ internal aims?
n
Why were so many Frenchmen glad when
Louis died?
n
Did Louis sacrifice French interests for
those of his own?
RESOURCES
The standard textbook is
WILKINSON and chp 8 is useful
You will be given an
extended reading list when we study this topic.
TOPIC 4 : Foreign affairs, 1685–1715
AREA
1 : The origins and consequences of the Nine Years War
By the end of this unit
you should be able to explain :
(a)
How far Louis was responsible for the outbreak of war in 1688?
(b)
How successful was Louis in the Nine Years War?
(c)
Why was France incapable of achieving victory?
(d)
What were the consequences for France of the Nine Years War?
You should be able to
answer essay questions on Louis XIV and religion :
n
Why did war break out in 1688?
n
How far was Louis responsible for the
outbreak of war in 1688?
n
What did France achieve in the Nine Years
War?
n
How damaging was the Nine Years War for
France?
RESOURCES
The standard textbook is
WILKINSON and chp 7 is all about foreign policy.
You will be given an
extended reading list when we study this topic.
TOPIC 4 : Foreign affairs, 1685–1715
AREA
2 : The origins and consequences of the War of Spanish
Succession
By the end of this unit
you should be able to explain :
(a)
Why European peace proved so fragile
(b)
Why France got involved in the War of the Spanish Succession
(c)
Why the war was a disaster
(d)
How France survived the disasters
(e)
The effects of the peace treaties on France
You should be able to
answer essay questions on Louis XIV and religion :
n
Why did France become embroiled in the
War of the Spanish Succession?
n
What How disastrous was the War of the
Spanish Succession for France?
RESOURCES
The standard textbook is
WILKINSON and chp 7 is all about foreign policy.
You will be given an
extended reading list when we study this topic.
TOPIC 4 : Foreign affairs, 1685–1715
AREA
3 : The extent to which Louis XIV had achieved his foreign
policy objectives by 1715
By the end of this unit
you should be able to:
(a)
Understand what Louis set out to achieve
(b)
Explain how far France was stronger or weaker in 1715
You should be able to
answer essay questions on Louis XIV and foreign policy :
Was France more or less
powerful in 1715 than it had been in 1661?
RESOURCES
The standard textbook is
WILKINSON and chp 7 is all about foreign policy.
You will be given an
extended reading list when we study this topic.