AQA
A-level
HISTORY
7042/2F
Component 2F The Sun King: Louis XIV, France and
Version: 1.0 Final
IB/M/Jun23/E6 7042/2F
A-level
HISTORY
Component
... [Show More] 2F The Sun King: Louis XIV, France and Europe, 1643–1715
Friday 9 June 2023 Afternoon Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
• an AQA 16-page answer book.
Instructions
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is
7042/2F.
• Answer three questions.
In Section A answer Question 01.
In Section B answer two questions.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 80.
• You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
Advice
• You are advised to spend about:
– 1 hour on Question 01 from Section A
– 45 minutes on each of the two questions answered from Section B.
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IB/M/Jun23/7042/2F
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Source A
From a book by Marshal d’Estrées, published in France, 1666. D’Estrées was a leading
French general before becoming the French ambassador in Rome,1636–48.
Until the end of 1647, it seemed that the calm, authoritarian spirit of Cardinal de Richelieu
had continued, both in matters of war and within the court. But, after the Peace of
Westphalia, France experienced a civil war so great it threatened the monarchy.
Cardinal Mazarin, who until 1648 had steered France calmly and kindly, was greatly
disadvantaged as he was not French and did not understand affairs of state. Continuing
the war with Spain led to anger and rumours that Mazarin was enriching himself. During
the King’s minority, he had sought to have authority above that of the other ministers and
promoted his favourites. Mazarin did not understand why this caused such
dissatisfaction and this was disastrous when combined with the pressures of continued
war with Spain. There were disturbances. The finance minister, M. d’Emery, suggested
that Mazarin set an example and use punishment to stop the revolutionaries. However,
instead of stopping the Frondes, this only made things worse, and encouraged those who
wished to challenge Mazarin’s power.
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10
Source B
From a letter to Abel Servien from Cardinal Mazarin, 14 August 1648. Servien was a
French diplomat and friend of Mazarin. This letter was written shortly before the
Parlementary Fronde.
There is no part of France that is not corrupted. The Nobles of the Sword, who believe
that they would benefit greatly from civil war, are already starting to cause trouble. The
parlements of the kingdom are now imitating the Parlement of Paris and believe that they
can do anything they please. From all directions, one only hears of disobedience or
violence against the Crown’s tax farmers or those charged with the collection of money.
I work myself to death for the glory of this Crown and for the individual happiness of each
Frenchman. Meanwhile, the enemies of the state and those who hate me are spreading
malicious rumours that I have amassed treasures and sent them to Italy. But, in truth,
without a word of exaggeration, I borrow every day just to have enough to live on and to
maintain my household. It is from pure wickedness that they continue to attempt to turn
people against me. Above all else, they attack me principally because I am a foreigner.
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IB/M/Jun23/7042/2F Turn over ►
Source C
From a mocking pamphlet published anonymously by Mazarin’s enemies in Paris, 1650.
This pamphlet describes an imagined trial of Mazarin.
Jules Mazarin is guilty of the following crimes:
- For failing, on many occasions, to conclude a general peace with Spain
- For having had various assassinations committed, of which there is sufficient proof
that he alone is the person who plotted and planned these murders
- For smuggling money out of the King’s treasury
- For having wanted to starve the city of Paris
- For having stolen food and sold it to France’s enemies
- For seducing the Queen
- For having caused the Frondes which have now been waging for two years in France
- For having taxed the subjects of the King and tyrannically extorted from them
immense sums to enrich himself and his family.
All these crimes, having been proven and verified by all of the parlements of France,
constitute a charge of treason of the highest order. Mazarin has, thereby, been
condemned to death by hanging. Although the coward cannot currently be found, his
portrait will be attached to the gallows for all to see.
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0 1 With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context,
assess the value of these three sources to an historian studying the role of
Cardinal Mazarin in the Frondes.
[30 marks]
Turn over for Section B
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Section B
Answer two questions.
0 2 To what extent was Louis XIV’s invasion of the Spanish Netherlands in 1667 caused by
his dynastic ambitions?
[25 marks]
0 3 ‘In the years after 1685, Madame de Maintenon played an important role in Louis XIV’s
decision-making.’
Assess the validity of this view.
[25 marks]
0 4 ‘The Peace of Ryswick in 1697 strengthened France’s international position.’
Assess the validity of this view.
[25 marks]
END OF QUESTION [Show Less]