1. Louis XIV & Peter the Great
Enlightenment & Revolution Unit

2. Essential Question
What is the legacy left behind from the rulers of absolutism?

3. Warm Up
What is absolutism?

4. Key Vocabulary
Absolutism- The theory that a ruler must have total control over a region and its people.
Louis XIV- Absolute ruler of France who lived extravagantly at Versailles and was known as the Sun King.
Peter the Great- Absolute ruler of Russia who worked to modernize or westernize Russia.

5. Absolutism
It is the state of having complete power & authority over a certain area and its people.

6. Absolutism v. Democracy
Who Holds the Power?
Monarch
Citizens
Freedom of Religion No
Yes
What are the Rights of Subjects
None
Many
Does the Government Serve itself or the People?
Itself
People

7. Assessment Prompt 1 Questions:
Based on the chart, what were some possible weaknesses of Absolutism?
What might be some benefits of living under a system of Absolutism?
Under which system would you prefer to live? Why?

8. Possible Answers 1. People don’t support it, few freedoms, few rights
2. Efficiency

9. Louis XIV Who is Louis XIV? Most powerful ruler in French history.
When did he begin his rule? How old was he?
age 4
Who “ruled” as Louis was growing up?
Cardinal Mazarin
Why was Cardinal Mazarin hated?
He established more taxes and strengthened the central government.

10. What were the 1648-1653 riots about? Nobles fighting over Mazarin
The riots fail because:
Leaders distrust each other more than Mazarin
The government used violent repression.
Peasants/townspeople grew weary of the fighting.
At age 22 Louis took over…what did he help France attain?
Economic, political and cultural brilliance.

13. The Brilliance of Louis XIV
Increased the power of government agents known as intendants.
Expanded manufacturing and gave government funds and tax benefits to French companies.
Recognized the importance of colonies; encourage migration to Canada.
Encouraged French literature, opera, and ballet.

14. Wars Louis tried to expand France’s borders.
Invasion of Spanish Netherlands
Was successful until other European countries united to fight against France.
War of the Spanish Succession
Louis’s grandson could remain in power as long as he didn’t combine France and Spain.
Great Britain came out the winner.
Won colonies from both Spain and France.
Wars

15. Louis’s Legacy Positive Best in art and literature. Military leader
Colonies
Negative
War destroyed France
Huge debt
Eventually lead to revolution.
Was Louis XIV an absolute ruler? Why or why not? Examples.

16. Assessment Prompt 2
Pros & Cons of Henry XIV
Pros
Cons

17. Absolute Rulers of Russia
What is a Czar?
“Czar” means Caesar.

18. Who was Ivan the Terrible?
Real name: Ivan IV
Year took office: 1533
What years was his “good period”:
What did he do in this period? Code of laws, ruled justly
What years was his “bad period”: (his death)

19. What brought on this period. Death of his wife…
What brought on this period? Death of his wife….he believed she was poisoned by the boyars.
What is a Boyar? A Russian landowning noble
What did he do in this period? Killed eldest son, secret police, etc.

20. Who is Peter the Great? Real name: Peter I Year took office: 1696
What did he do in his “career”? Wanted to end serfdom in Russia.
Where did he look for guidance? Western Europe. He believed the only way for Russia to compete with other countries was to modernize. He then journeyed to Europe in in his “Grand Embassy.”
This is seen as strange because Western Europeans are viewed as heretics.

21. What did he begin in Russia? Period of Westernization:
brought the Russia Orthodox Church under State control
Reduced the power of landowners
hired European officials to drill Russian soldiers
used European weapons, raised taxes to pay for army
promoted education

22. What did Peter I acquire. St
What did Peter I acquire? St. Petersburg to get a warm water sea port near Europe.
Why does Peter want to Westernize? He admired Western Europe’s customs & technological achievements.

23. Assessment Prompt 4
How did absolutism shape the Russian government?

24. Journal What is the legacy left behind from the rulers of absolutism?
Consider the following: What is absolutism?
Why would people not be in favor of absolutism?
Who was Louis XIV? What was his legacy?
Who was Peter The Great?
Why was Peter an example of Absolutism?
What was his legacy?