Assimilation and Acculturation in Seventeenth-Century Europe

The study delves into the historical context of Roussillon after its acquisition by France in 1659, highlighting the clash between French political ambitions and the resilient Catalan cultural identity. It explores the strategies employed by Louis XIV and his ministers to impose French supremacy and eliminate local traditions, alongside the resistance tactics of the Roussillonnais. Ultimately, it reveals the complexities of cultural assimilation, illustrating why the French failed to fully acculturate the region despite establishing political control.