Final answer:
Louis XIV strengthened the monarchy in France through centralizing power and asserting the 'Divine Right of Kings.' However, his policies also had negative effects, including financial hardship, religious intolerance, and territorial losses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Louis XIV, also known as the 'Sun King,' strengthened the monarchy in France through centralizing power, creating an absolute monarchy, and asserting the 'Divine Right of Kings.' This enhanced royal authority and allowed the king to rule with little or no check on his actions. However, while these policies strengthened the monarchy, they also had negative consequences for France.
1. Financial Hardship: Louis XIV's lavish spending on Versailles and costly wars drained the treasury, leading to financial hardship and increased taxation for the French people.
2. Religious Intolerance: His religious policies, such as the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, resulted in religious intolerance and the persecution of Protestant Huguenots.
3. Territorial Losses: Louis XIV's expansionist policies, particularly the wars of conquest, strained resources, caused political turmoil, and resulted in territorial losses for France.