Louis XIV France vs. Stuart Kings England. What happened? Why did the Stuart kings lose and Louis XIV win? William Jefferson Clinton was an American president who was more successful than Bush. Clinton proved the world our superiority through control, growth in economic activity, and policies that ranged from Israel, social security, to name a few. Bush’s victory proved that they were elected. Similarities can also be found between Louis XIV, the Stuart Kings, and Louis XIV. Louis XIV, a solid leader, was able to see the future and delegate authority to military and economic leaders. Many people thought that the Stuart Kings didn’t have any foresight, nor character. Their reckless and stupid way of governing their country was a reflection of their inability to see the future. Louis XIV flourished due to absolute control, growth in the economy, and military restructuring. Stuart Kings’ defeat was caused by economic turmoil, no control and civil war. Control was key to both the success and failure of Louis XIV.
Louis XIV had complete control of his subjects by supervising them, locating nobility, as well as the image he projected to them. Louis XIV was a diligent investigator, tale-bearer, and writer who took the time and effort to discover what was happening in private and public affairs. Louis would punish anyone suspected of wrongdoing. Louis realized that he had to manage his nobility. By requiring his nobility, he was able to keep his nobility under control by making them attend Versailles’s court. He could also watch over them and help them learn etiquette. They were too busy learning about plotting against him. Louis needed to be able to manage his subjects and the nobles. Louis painted himself as a true ruler capable of carrying out his duties. He was also an exemplary king who showed kindness and compassion. “Any man could have an opportunity to speak to him; he listened, and almost always replied, “I will see” (see http://history.hanover.edu/texts/louisxiv.html). Louis was trusted by France’s people. The Stuart Kings experienced great hostility during the reign. James I, first of the Stuart Kings arrived at the throne in hostility. James I was a Scottish citizen who succeeded Elizabeth I, an English legend. These two factors made James difficult to gain favor with his people. Charles I’s reign saw the Stuart Kings lose control. The Scottish were the first to rebel, followed by the Parliament, which supported the Scots against Charles I. Charles suffered complete control loss when the army crushed a royalist uprising. On 20 January 1649 he was tried and convicted of violating the liberties granted to his subjects. James II was another Stuart King that really lost control. James II was the final heir to the throne after a series of religious disputes between Parliament and James. While control was key to Louis’ success, the economic failure of the Stuart Kings was also a major contributor.
Jean-Baptiste Colbert’s fiscal reforms were key to France’s economic boom. In six years, Colbert transformed a 22 million debt into a surplus of 29, million. Colbert achieved this feat by not raising taxes but improving efficiency in the way they were collected. CW, 533. “Colbert cut the cost of collecting taxes, reduced graft and corruption, and adopted an accurate system of bookkeeping” (see http://mars.acnet.wnec.edu/~grempel/courses/wc2/lectures/louisxiv.html). Colbert was also able to boost France’s trade and commercial growth, rivaling that of the Netherlands. Colbert was an able mind who helped Louis prosper. Before the Stuart Kings took the throne, financial misfortunes began. Elizabeth I began selling off lands to help with financial difficulties. James II adopted. England’s long term revenues were reduced by the sale of lands. Charles I and James I became heavily dependent on taxation once revenues began to drop. Charles I lost control of his finances due to taxation. Charles required taxation to fund his Army of Resistance in Scotland. The Parliament wouldn’t approve the grant of taxation. This was the catalyst for the English Revolutions. Louis XIV achieved financial stability using new innovative ideas. Stuart Kings didn’t use any creative thinking when trying to find a solution for their problems. Louis’ success was not only due to his economic genius, but also because of military reform.
Colbert was Louis’ chief minister for finance. Marquis de Louvois (a great minister for war) was another blessing. Louvois was a great reformer of the French army. The French army was larger and its organization was vastly improved. Another great reform was the promotion system that promoted merit over purchase, and the establishment of stores of arms and ammunitions in France (CW 533). However, the Stuart Kings made no changes to the military except for the belief that their king could not be defeated. Louis XIV was successful because he had control over the military and he also reform it. This is what led to the Stuart kings failing.
Louis was a great man, and the Stuart Kings were a great bunch of idiots. Louis was kind and reserved, while the Stuart Kings were more reserved. Louis understood the importance of relying on professionals to manage the affairs of the state, while the Stuart Kings were reliant on their own intelligence. Louis’s reign was characterized by control, increased revenues, military reform, and a lot of success. The Stuart Kings’ reign was marred by rebellion, depression, sabotage, and defiance. Louis achieved what Clinton did, a period of progress and sustainability. The Stuart Kings showed the world how to make bad situations worse by proving what Clinton accomplished.
