Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Social Studies Practice Exam 2026 - Free MTTC Social Studies Practice Questions and Study Guide

Louis XIV of France is a prominent example of the centralization of power during the early modern period in Europe. His reign, which lasted from 1643 to 1715, is characterized by a significant consolidation of royal authority and a move away from feudalism. Louis XIV famously declared "L'état, c'est moi," meaning "I am the state," which encapsulates his belief in the divine right of kings and the necessity of a powerful, centralized government.

Under his rule, Louis XIV reduced the power of the nobility, shifting authority to a centralized bureaucracy and increasing the power of the monarchy. He established a court at Versailles, where he not only isolated nobles from their power bases but also engaged them in elaborate rituals that reinforced his supremacy. His policies fostered an environment in which the king had the final say in the governance of France, thus exemplifying the characteristics of absolutism and centralized political power that were prevalent during this period.

Henry VIII, while also a significant monarch who centralized some aspects of governance, especially through the establishment of the Church of England, did not achieve the same level of absolute control as Louis XIV. Elizabeth I is known for her effective leadership and political savvy, but she operated within a framework that still acknowledged the