“People Notes”Absolute Monarchs

Unit 8 Absolutism and Enlightenment

Russia

Ivan the TerriblePeter the Great

Ivan IV (ruled 1533-1584)

• First tsar of Russia• Nicknamed in English as

Ivan the Terrible• Acquired vast amounts of

land during his long reign• Created a centrally

controlled Russian state, imposed by military dominance

• Known for brutality to his subjects

Was Ivan really “terrible”? You decide!

Read below and answer on your notes sheet!

Upon the death of his first wife in 1560, Ivan IV went into a deep depression. His suspicion that she had been murdered by the boyars only deepened his paranoia. He left Moscow suddenly and threatened to abdicate the throne. Leaderless, Muscovites (people of Moscow) pleaded for his return. He agreed, on the condition that he be granted absolute power of the region surrounding Moscow. He also demanded the authority to punish traitors and law breakers with execution and confiscation of property. Over the next 24 years, Ivan IV conducted a reign of terror, displacing and destroying the major boyar families in the region.

http://www.biography.com/people/ivan-iv-9350679

Peter I (ruled 1672 – 1725)

• Russian czar in the late 17th century

• Best know for extensive reforms.

• Credited with dragging Russia out of the medieval times to make Russia a leading Eastern European state by the time of his death.

Was Peter Great?

On your notes sheet, explain why people might consider Peter I “the great”

France

King Louis XIV

Louis XIV (ruled 1643-1715)

• Known as the “Sun King”• Led an absolute monarchy during

France’s classical age.• Revoked the Edict of Nantes and

deprived the French Protestants of all religious and civil liberties.

• Known for his aggressive foreign policy.

• Built palace of Versailles to show royal power.

Palace of Versailles, France

Spain

• Phillip II

Phillip II (ruled 1556-1598)

• King of Spain• During his reign Spain

established colonies on the present South US

• Conquered the Philippine Islands (named after him)

• Launched his Armada at Elizabeth I and England in 1588– Defeated by the English Navy,

scattered, then wrecked by storms.