Advanced Placement (AP) European History Practice Exam

The engraving best illustrates which aspect of the French aristocracy under Louis XIV?

1. The decline of the aristocracy's role

2. The emergence of the middle class

3. The maintenance of the aristocracy's privileged social position

4. The rise of the peasantry

The correct answer is: The maintenance of the aristocracy's privileged social position

The engraving reflects the maintenance of the aristocracy's privileged social position during the reign of Louis XIV, who is often referred to as the "Sun King." Under his rule, the French court at Versailles symbolized the power and prestige of the aristocracy. Louis XIV famously centralized authority and diminished the political power of the nobility at the same time he elevated their social status through lavish displays of wealth and luxury. The engraving likely portrays the aristocrats engaged in elegant and opulent activities, underscoring their role in the elaborate court life that Louis XIV cultivated. This atmosphere fostered a strong sense of hierarchy, where the nobility enjoyed privileges and were expected to display their loyalty to the king, thereby reinforcing their social standing. The focus on the aristocracy in such engravings would illustrate how their roles and status were preserved, despite shifts in actual power dynamics. In contrast to the other options, the engraving does not depict a decline in the aristocracy's role, the rise of the middle class, or an increase in peasant power. Instead, it encapsulates the essence of aristocratic privilege and the careful calibration of power maintained by Louis XIV as he sought to control and utilize them for his own ends.