The document discusses the rise of absolutism in 17th century France under King Louis XIV. It describes how Louis XIV and his predecessors centralized power in the monarch, reducing the authority of the nobility and local governments. Louis XIV solidified absolutism by building the royal administration, creating a national army, establishing the royal capital at Versailles, and promoting himself as the embodiment of the state known as the "Sun King". However, absolutism in France still had limitations and the king depended on advisors and compromised with other interests.

1. THE RISE OF ABSOLUTISM IN FRANCE “ L’etat, c’est moi (I am the state)” –Louis XIV