French Government
French Government
France was ruled by kings. They are as follows:
Louis XIV (Failure)
- left France with enlarged territories, an enormous debt, an unhappy populace, and a five-year-old grandson as his successor
The Duke of Orléans (Failure)
- took over until Louis XV was able to take the throne
- drunken and immoral
Cardinal Fleury (Accomplishments)
- took over until Louis XV was able to take the throne
- commerce and trade expanded
- government promoted the growth of industry, especially in coal and textiles
- the budget was balanced for a while
Louis XV (Failure)
- lazy, weak
- influenced by ministers and mistresses who controlled the affairs of the state and undermined the prestige of the monarchy, such as Madame de Pompadour, who often made important government decisions and gave advice on appointments and foreign policy
Louis XVI (Failure)
- knew little about the operations of French government
- lacked the energy to deal decisively with state affairs