French policy was, moreover, complicated by the existence of the le Secret du roi—a system of private diplomacy conducted by King Louis XV. Unbeknownst to his foreign minister, Louis had established a network of agents throughout Europe with the goal of pursuing personal political objectives that were often at odds with France’s publicly stated policies. Louis’s goals for le Secret du roi included an attempt to win the Polish crown for his kinsman Louis François de Bourbon, prince de Conti, and the maintenance of Poland, Sweden, and Turkey as French client states in opposition to Russian and Austrian interests. COUNT 5
QSN1 What was the objective of le Secret du roi? ANS1 goal of pursuing personal political objectives that were often at odds with France’s publicly stated policies QSN2 Who did King Louis XV want on the Polish throne? ANS2 his kinsman Louis François de Bourbon, prince de Conti, QSN3 What was King Louis XV's secret ambition for Sweden and Turkey? ANS3 Sweden, and Turkey as French client states in opposition to Russian and Austrian interests QSN4 What French official was kept in the dark about le Secret du roi? ANS4 Unbeknownst to his foreign minister, QSN5 What countries did King Louis XV want keep in his sphere of influence to thwart the interests of Russia? ANS5 Poland, Sweden, and Turkey as French client states in opposition to Russian