Chapter XXIV: The Sun Sets

Part I: Mme. De Maintenon

• began as an escort of King; after death of Marie Thérése in 1683 her influence with the King grew
• very religious

Part II: The Grand Alliance (1689 - 97)

• France's controlled economy (built up by Colbert) began to crumble. Fleeing Protestands and soft currency also contributed
• In 1688 France invaded Germany and wond a string of victories; ruining the German Rhineland
• 1689 England, Empire, Spain, United Provinces, Denmark and Savoy joined in the Grand Alliance
• 1692 Louis failed attempted invasion of England
• France's populated was decimated down to 19 million by 1700
• Warning letter from Fénelon to Louis - "Le Détail de la France"
  • denounced heavy taxes, church wealth, corruption of finances
  • claimed wealth is power of production and raw goods. Land and agriculture are the foundation of a nations wealth
  • invisioned a modern view of economy of an interconnected web of producers and consumers
  • promoted a free market solution
  • state continued to squeeze money from the popuplace
  • 1697 - Peace of Ryswick ended "War of the Palatinate"

Part III: The Spanish Problem (1698 - 1700)

• when Charles II died, there was some competing idea of who would become King of Spain. There were multiple claims with conenctions to Louis and Leopold. The fear was creating an imbalance of power by uniting Spain with France. There were some attempts to divide up the Spanish territories but these failed. It was agreed that Phillip (Grandson of Louis XIV) would become King on the understanding that the French and Spanish crowns would never unite under one head.

Part IV: The Grand Alliance (1701 - 1702)

• Second Grand Alliance formed between England, United Provinces and the Empire in 1701 to deter French and Spanish union
• May 15 - Alliance declares war on France

Part V: The War of the Spanish Succession (1702 - 1713)

• France squeezed every last resource out of it's economy and population to continue the war. Twice Louis's peace offering were rejected in 1706 and 1709
• Marlborough was a key general in this war mixing genius, diplomacy and leadership. He marched a month straight to save Vienna at the start of the war when Louis marched on it.
• Louis asked for peace again in 1710 but the allies responded with humiliating terms which prompted France to somehow recruit more people
• 1711 English sent for a separate peace which was accepted
• Finally with the Peace of Ultrecht in 1713, and the Treaty of Restatt in 1714 the war was ended
• France was almost completely destitutate by the war's end
• Austria and England ended up best off

man is a competitve animal, and his character is his fate

Part VI: Twilight of the God (1713 - 15)

• Louis died on September 1, 1715

in modern states the men who can manage men manage the men who can only manage things; and the men who can manage money manage all

a man's vices are usually the influence of his time, while his virtues are his own