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Louis XIV is born on September 5th, 1638 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France.
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At the mere age of 5, Louis XIV became king after his father Louis XII dies. Because of his age, Cardinal Mazarin is the true ruler.
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Under Louis XIV's rule, France's population rose to 20 million inhabitants in 1660. This number was four times larger than England's population.
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Louis married Maria Theresa of Spain in a political marriage in 1660. The marriage resulted in the birth of 6 children, until finally his wife died in 1683. Louis remarries.
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Louis' main advisor and father figure Jules Mazarin dies in 1661. He had previously ruled for Louis, but now at age 22, Louis XIV starts ruling by himself and seizes all power.
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Louis was a lover of the arts, he often watched and performed ballet. This led him to found a chain of royal academies for the arts, starting with the academy of dance. Louis often generously funded various artists.
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In hope of starting fiscal reforms, Louis appoints Colbert to help him escape the verge of bankruptcy. Through more efficient taxation, Colbert was successful in reducing the national debt.
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After transforming his father's modest hunting lodge into a $2 billion estate, Louis finally moves into the palace of his dreams in 1682, after 11 years of construction.
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Fearing that the Protestants will threaten his ultimate power, Louis XIV revokes the Edict of Nantes which had given Protestants religious freedom and protection.
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On September 1st, 1715, Louis XIV dies in his chambers due to a gangrene infection from a hunting trip in Marly. At his deathbed, he tells his grandson, the future king, to avoid wars. "It is the ruin of the peoples."
