How can you say that Louis xiv was a despotic ruler?

Answer 1

Louis XIV is often considered a despotic ruler due to his absolute control over the French state and his famous declaration, "L'État, c'est moi" ("I am the state"). He centralized power in the monarchy, diminishing the influence of the nobility and governing without a system of checks and balances. His reign was marked by the suppression of dissent and the implementation of policies that prioritized royal authority over the welfare of his subjects. Additionally, his extravagant spending and wars strained the economy, further illustrating his disregard for the needs of the populace.