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Louis XIV did a variety of things to strengthen his control over France.

First, he put on elaborate displays of his sovereignty at his palace at Versailles. Louis XIV seemed to hypnotize his nobles with his performance of the daily rituals and demonstrations of royalty. Noblemen vied for the opportunity to attend him when he arose from bed, ate his meals, strolled in his gardens, or rode to the hunt. Such theatricality was seen as part of his duty as sovereign (Louis XIV supposedly once said "L'etat, c'est moi", translating to mean "I am the state") By performing all of these demonstrations of his power, he seemed to unite the nobility under his control.

Second, he focused on centralizing power to produce domestic tranquility. He won the favor of the upper bourgeoisie by making them royal administrators and intendants of the thirty-six generalites into which France was divided. They held office at the king's palace and were one of "his men". Other administrators, from families that were newly ennobled as a reward for their service, assisted with directing the affairs of state from Versailles also. Louis XIV brought all of the nobility to Versailles, and thus cut of their sources of power to put an end to any regional power getting in his way.

Besides the centralization of power, Louis XIV also worked on improving other parts of France. He worked on creating religious unity in France. He worked under the policy "un roi, une loi, une foi" (one king, one law, one faith"). For Louis XIV, it was all about being united. He waged unrelenting war against Protestant institutions in an attempt to re-enforce religious unity. His finance minister Jean Baptiste Colbert also used the same motto of centralization when it came to the economy. He imposed tariffs on foreign goods being imported into France and used state money to promote domestic manufacture of formerly imported goods.

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14y ago

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Richelieu strengthened the throne of Louis XIII, by crippling the french Nobility. They were no longer able to have personal armies, barracked cities and he stopped conspiracies. Ultimately, this lead to absolutism, under Louis XIII. Also he weakened the Huguenots, yet preserved their religious rights, making them loyal. He also issued intendants, people who would watch over the nobility. He was also followed by Cardinal Mazarin, furthering Louis XIII's power.

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14y ago
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King Louis XIV of France used every means possible to increase the power of France. He used alliances, bribes, and military power to become a leading figure in Europe and increase the power of France.

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9y ago
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By joining the french and telling them how to trick them!!

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13y ago
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To limit the french nobles,Richelieu allowed wealthy merchants to buy titles of nobility.Then he striped nobles of some of there rights.He also started buissness for the french government.

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11y ago
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he was a very strong and independent leader and was always there for his troops and for his people, it took him some time to realize what being a good leader meant.

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13y ago
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Q: How did Cardinal Richelieu increase the power of the french king?
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