Download Enlightened Despot Résumés

Mr. Tolley
Global History
Enlightened Despot Résumés
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 leaders want to challenge our recent choice to replace and have
offered their resumes for your review…
Peter(I) the Great
Ruled:
Russia (1682 until 1725)
Catherine(II) the Great
Ruled:
Russia (1762 until 1796)
Education:
Largely self-educated. Studied ship- Education: From a French governess. Like many
building and other Western learning in secret while Russian nobles at the time, Catherine’s French was
living in Amsterdam and other European Cities.
better than her Russian; she studied Russian by night.
Notable Actions and Characteristics
Notable Actions and Characteristics
 Westernized the Russian navy.
 Abolished the Russian Calendar and adopted
the Julian (Western).
 Exchanged letters with
Voltaire and Diderot.
ideas would cause revolt in Russia also.
Akbar the Great
India (1556 until 1605)
like
 Cut off cultural exchanges with France after
the French Revolution fearing Enlightenment
 Forced Russians nobles to cut off their beards
or pay an annual tax.
Ruled:
philosophes
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
Rules:
Brunei, a small nation bordering Malaysia
(1967 until the present)
Education: Illiterate, but learned art, music and Education: Graduate of the Royal Military Academy
architecture from courtiers who read to him.
of Sandhurst, England. Honorary PhD.
Notable Actions and Characteristics
Notable Actions and Characteristics
 Constructed “victory pyramids” made from the
heads of the men he conquered.
 Before Bill Gates, the wealthiest man alive.
Owns thousands of cars.
 Granted all Muslims, Hindus and others equal
rights.
 Provides free health care, education, TVs and
an amusement park for his people.
 Created his own religion, the Din-I-Ilahi, which
was a combination of all faiths.
 Has total economic and political control over
his country.
Mr. Tolley
Global History
Task One
After reviewing the résumés of the Enlightened Despots, fill in the chart below with actions and characteristics that show how
these leaders were enlightened and unenlightened. Then, rank each leader in order of preference (1-4, 1 being the highest). Keep in
mind what you think an enlightened leader should be like.
Leader
Peter the Great
Catherine the Great
Akbar the Great
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
Enlightened
Unenlightened
Rank
Mr. Tolley
Task Two
Global History
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?