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Mr. Tolley
AP World History
Absolute Monarch Résumés (Part One)
Here are the résumés of some of my buddies who ruled Europe during the Age of Absolutism. They generally reigned after the
New Monarchs who set the stage for absolute rule and before the Enlightened Despots who are more my crew. Check out
their qualifications and let’s see if they really qualify as absolute rulers.
James I
Ruled:
England, Ireland and Scotland (1567 until 1625)
Notable Actions and Characteristics
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Louis XIV (Le Roi Soleil)
Ruled:
France (1643 until 1715)
Notable Actions and Characteristics
Ruled Ireland and Scotland from the age of one (he was born 
Reigned for 72 years, the longest reign of any major European
in 1566) and England from 1603.
monarch.
After the death of Elizabeth I, (who died childless) continued

Following the lead of Cardinal Richelieu, centralized power in
to support writers like Shakespeare
France so completely, his nobles lived at court under his
Wrote the Trew (True) Law of Free Monarchies in which he
watchful eye.
explained, through Biblical reasons, why kings are higher than 
Famous quote (attributed) “L’Etat, c’est moi.”
other men. (King James Bible named for him.)

Built the stunning Palace of Versailles.
His financial mishandling led to the English Civil War.

Bankrupted France through wars and opulence.
Philip II
Ruled:
Spain and Habsburg Possesions (1556 until 1598)
Frederick William I (not the Great)
Ruled:
Prussia (1713-1740)
Notable Actions and Characteristics
Notable Actions and Characteristics
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Father was Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (the one who
Was incredibly efficient. One of the only absolute leaders to
gave up the imperial dream).
leave a surplus economy on his death.
Expanded the Spanish Empire to its greatest breadth (in 
Turned the Prussian Army into one of the most advanced,
Europe and the Americas) in history.
efficient and powerful in Europe.
Annihilated the Ottoman fleet at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, 
Had his son (the future Frederick the Great) woken up each
ending Ottoman control of the Mediterranean.
morning by a cannon.
Supported the Counter-Reformation and the Inquisition.

When his son tried to run away to England, Frederick William
Declared war on England to draw them back into the Catholic
had his son’s best friend (and suspected lover) beheaded in
fold.
front of him.

His Armada was soundly defeated by the English in 1588.
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Like Louis, also bankrupted his country through war and
opulent spending on his palace, El Escorial.
Ivan the Terrible
Ruled:
Russian Empire (1547 until 1584)
President George Bush
Rules:
The United States of America (2000-present)
Notable Actions and Characteristics
Notable Actions and Characteristics
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First Tsar/Czar of Russia.
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Despised the landowning boyars of Russia, and centralized
rule as much as possible to take power away from them.
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governor of Florida.
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Presents himself as a down-to-earth Texan although he was
After commissioning St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow, he
raised in the Northeast and attended Yale University, where he
thought the work was so beautiful he had the architects
was a cheerleader.
blinded so they could never design another such building.

His father was president from 1988 to 1992. His brother is

Through legislation (the Patriot Act) and a number of
Ordered the massacre of 1500 nobles at Novogrod (1570). An
appointments (Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez) has
estimated 30-40,000 commoners were also killed.
greatly centralized government power in the executive branch.
Killed his own son by smashing him over the head with a 
Apparently deeply religious. Leads group (Christian) prayers in
Mr. Tolley
AP World History
pointed staff in a fit of rage.
the Oval Office. (Has caused aides to resign.)
Absolute Monarch Résumés (Part Two)
Not all of the leaders contemporary to the Enlightenment were absolute monarchs who ignored the calls for social reform
written and supported by the philosophes. Some absolute leaders tried to incorporate Enlightenment ideals while still holding
on to power. Furthermore, leaders from outside of Europe displayed enlightened ideals, and even today some leaders have absolute
power, but remain popular due to their benevolent and enlightened leadership. These are some of my closest pals and I think you will
find the perfect leader listed among them.
Peter (I) the Great
Ruled:
Russia (1682 until 1725)
Education:
Catherine (II) the Great
Ruled:
Russia (1762 until 1796)
Largely self-educated. Studied ship-building and Education: From a French governess. Like many Russian nobles
other Western learning in secret while living in Amsterdam and
at the time, Catherine’s French was better than her Russian; she
other European Cities.
studied Russian by night.
Notable Actions and Characteristics
Notable Actions and Characteristics
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Westernized the Russian navy.
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Exchanged letters with philosophes like Voltaire and Diderot.
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Abolished the Russian Calendar and adopted the Julian
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Cut off cultural exchanges with France after the French
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(Western).
Revolution fearing Enlightenment ideas would cause revolt in
Forced Russians nobles to cut off their beards or pay an
Russia also.
annual tax.
Akbar the Great
Ruled:
India (1556 until 1605)
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
Rules:
Brunei, a small nation bordering Malaysia
(1967 until present)
Education: Illiterate, but learned art, music and architecture from
Education: Graduate of the Royal Military Academy of
courtiers who read to him.
Sandhurst, England. Honorary PhD.
Notable Actions and Characteristics
Notable Actions and Characteristics
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Constructed “victory pyramids” made from the heads of the
men he conquered.
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Granted all Muslims, Hindus and others equal rights.
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Created his own religion, the Din-I-Ilahi, which was a
combination of all faiths.
Before Bill Gates, the wealthiest man alive. Owns thousands
of cars.
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Provides free health care, education, TVs and an amusement
park for his people.

Has total economic and political control over his country.
Mr. Tolley
AP World History
Suleiman the Magnificent (the Lawgiver)
Ruled:
Ottoman Empire (1520 until 1566)
King William (III) the Mad Awesome
Rules:
Tollesia (For the past two weeks.)
Education: At the age of seven, he was sent to study science,
Education: First person in his family to finish a 4-year degree.
history, literature, theology, and military tactics in the schools of
Attended Rutgers and Columbia Universities. Has studied 8
the Topkapı Palace in Istanbul.
languages but only speaks one.
Notable Actions and Characteristics
Notable Actions and Characteristics
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Made the Ottoman Empire one of the world’s foremost
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Well-traveled in Asia and Europe.
powers. Conquered Hungary, the Middle East, North Africa
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Served in the Army as a paratrooper with the 101 st Airborne
and laid siege to Vienna.
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Division, the “Screaming Eagles.”
Reformed Ottoman law by creating a modern legal code that
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Good friends with Akbar and Suleiman. (Asia rulezz.)
did not violate the Shari’ah.
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Possesses a stunning, brilliant, uncorny, sense of humor.
Opened many mektebs (primary schools) and medressehs 
Has total, complete and irrevocable power over your
(colleges).
grades.
Extended protections over Jewish and Christian subjects.
Task Two
Answer the following questions in your notes.
1. Which of these leaders should be considered “enlightened?” Why? Which are not enlightened? Why?
2. Should we refer to Akbar and Hassanal Bolkiah as Enlightened Despots? Why or why not?
3. Are these Enlightened Despots different from absolute monarchs? Why or why not? Which type of ruler do
you think is better? Why?
4. Who did you rank the highest? The lowest? Why?
5. Would you want to form a social contract with any of these leaders? Why or why not?