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Period: Dec 3, 1533 to
Event: The Reign of Ivan IV of Russia
Ivan IV, or Ivan the Terrible, exemplified absolutism because he made himself the first Czar of Russia, used terror to eliminate threats, and he gained complete control of the country after threatening to abdicate. -
Period: Jul 25, 1554 to
Event: The Reign of Philip II of Spain
Philip II exemplified absolutism in that he believed in his divine right to rule over the Netherlands, as well as Spain. Also, his attack on England via the Spanish Armada showed how he thought he had a right to everything, incluing foreign lands. -
Period: Dec 13, 1560 to
Person: Duke of Sully
He was the Right Hand Man of Henry IV of France. He helped the makes great strides in the areas of agriculture and finances. -
Period: Jul 24, 1567 to
Event: The Reign of James I of England and Scots
He exemplified absolutism by completely ruling two countries, Scotland and England, believing in divine right, and writing The True Law of Free Monarchies, a book of political theory, including the doctrine of divine right. -
Period: to
Person: Cardinal Richelieu
He worked as 1st Chief Minister of Louis XIII and helped centralize the power of France. -
Period: to
Person: Oliver Cromwell
He took over England as the Lord Protector. He basically ruled as a dictator. -
Period: to
Person: Cardinal Jules Mazarin
He workes as the 2nd Chief Minister of the French Monarch under both Louis XIII and Louis XIV. He tutored young King Louis XIV in the ways of governing, provided the kings with loyal advisors and able ministers, and used intendants to acquire information for the monarchy. -
Period: to
Person: Jean Baptiste Colbert
He worked under Louis XIV and strongly believed the economy and the wealth of a country should benefit the state. He helped France to become the leading nation in industrial productivity. -
Period: to
Event: The Reign of Charles I of England
He exemplified absolutism by ruling without Parliament for eleven years (The Eleven Years Tyranny) and by ignoring the Petition of Rights, a document which was supposed to protect the liberties of the people from infringement by the monarch. He was executed. -
Period: to
Event: The Rule of Louis XIV of France
Louis XIV was the poster child of absolutism. He was a strong believer in divine right and he was never accountable to anyone except himself andd God. -
Period: to
Event: The Reign of Peter I of Russia
He exemplifies absolutism because he was a strong believer in divine right, he was the head supervisor of all Rissian affairs, and everything during his reign was done to make him happy. -
Period: to
Event: The Reign of Fredrick II of Prussia
He exemplified absolutism because he believed that through his divine right to be a ruler, he was the first servant of the state. Also, he increased the power of the Prussian monarchy by making it so he had to consent personally before any executions could be performed, abolishing torture, and establishing the first general law code. -
Period: to
Event: The Reign of Frederick the Great Elector of Prussia
He exemplified absolutism because during his reign, he ended the estates general and strengthened the monarchy, central government, and political administration. -
Period: to
Event: The Reign of Maria Theresa of Austria
She exmplified absolutism through her belief in divine right and her controlling attitude towards matter such as the selection of her advisors. -
Period: to
Event: The Reign of Catherine II of Russia
She exemplified absolutism simply because she controlled everything in Russia during her reign. Also, she was considered by some to be an enlightened despot especially before the Pugachev Rebellion whhen she severely cut the aide she had been giving to serfs.