Louis XIV Had A Greater Impact On European History Than Peter The Great Although Peter the Great was possibly the most magnificent Russian Czar of all time, I believe King Louis XIV of France had the greater impact upon European history. At the time of Louis XIV’s rule France was the most populous country in Europe with an estimated 18 million people. Under his direction France rose to world power status although his wars nearly bankrupted the country in the process. “Under the direction of King Louis XIV, France achieved unprecedented dominance in Europe, and her culture flouri