Read on your own the task assigned to your role.

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Historian

You are interested in knowing all the details of Louis XIV’s life, both in his personal and political aspects.  You will analyze all the important influences that shaped his idea of government.  You will write and illustrate several short biographical sketches highlighting important moments in the life of Louis XIV.

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Political analyst

You are interested in evaluating the actions of Louis XIV as a ruler.  What were the positive implications of his famous phrase:  “L’état c’est moi” , and its negative impact in the French social and political structure.  You will briefly report on how Louis XIV repressed internal rebellions (due to raise in taxes or religious conflicts).  You will also define how the main principles of Louis XIV’s internal and external policies placed France as a leading European country.

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Economist

You are interested in knowing the origin of France’s mercantilism.  You will give an account of the economic measures undertaken by Louis’ and his Finance Minister Louis Colbert,  to make of France an economic power.  You will find out how taxes were raised and internal production was increased, and how France started producing fine luxury items for exportation (porcelains, gobelins, lace, fine clothing, furniture, crystal objects, as well as champagne, cognac and wine).  Finally, you will discover how French luxury products gradually invaded the European markets.  To report your findings, you will write a brief editorial article, an interview to a local producer, and you will design some ads to advertise French luxury items for sale in the export markets.

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War correspondent

Louis XIV’s time were turbulent times.  France had a main concern:  to confirm its strength and supremacy in the Continent.  To this end, Louis XIV involved his country in long and costly wars.  As a war correspondent you will go directly to the war sites and  report on the last events in the battlefield.  Your articles must include a brief description of the conflicts and a brief evaluation of the political cost of these wars on the French government.  You might wish to include a brief sketch of the construction of the Hospital of the Invalids, and explain why it was constructed.

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Social correspondent

You are fascinated by court life, fashion, entertainment, art and glamour, and as such, you are the head writer of the Social Page of the newsletter.  You will report on the refinements of court life and the latest tendencies of fashion in ladies’ and gentlemen’s apparel.  You will enter the fascinating world of art and make a brief critical analysis of a play performed at the “French Comedy”, you will report on the latest musical genius, Jean Baptiste Lully.  You will describe a neoclassical painting by any French artist of that age.  You can include a brief note on the laying of the first stone by Louis XIV of a wing of the famous Louvre Museum.

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