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WI: Louis XIV Naval Policy



By the 1680’s the French navy was larger than both the English and Dutch navies combined. Louis XIV had the potential at this point to transform France into a great naval power, but due to his focus on the continent it was allowed to decline in stature. My Question is what if Louis XIV put a greater emphasis on his navy? Could it have stayed dominate over the English/Dutch, at least during the rest of Louis’s reign?


Summary of Naval Events


The Nine Years War:
During the Nine yrs War the French navy fought three major fleet actions


1690 Battle of Beachy Head: French Victory, but they fail to vigorously pursue English/Dutch http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Beachy_Head_(1690)


1692 Battles of Barfleur and La Hogue: French defeat, due to not concentrating forces quickly enough http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battles_of_Barfleur_and_La_Hogue


1693 Battle of Lagos: French Victory
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Lagos_(1693)


Jean Bart Privateer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Bart


Williamite War in Ireland: French fail to significantly support King James II, by not contesting William’s invasion fleet, cutting his supply lines with England and by refusing James request for more men after his defeat at the Battle of the Boyne http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williamite_War_in_Ireland


Overall the French preformed well in the war, keeping on par with their adversaries


War of Spanish Succession:


French fleet was effectively kept out of the fight for most of the war and Louis allowed the English/Dutch to effectively rule the sea. Almost all of the available money went to Louis’s continental wars and not to the navy. The French fleet only took part in only one naval action of significance.


Battle of Malaga: result was indecisive
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_M%C3%A1laga_(1704)


So as a final question what would Louis need to do in order to keep the French navy dominate?
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