1. Absolute Monarchs
World Studies
October 10

2. I. Philip II of Spain Husband of Mary I, queen of England
Son of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles divides his empire & gives just Spain to Philip
Ruled Spain from , during Spain’s peak of wealth & power
Was terribly suspicious; made EVERY decision himself
Felt it was his personal responsibility to save Catholicism; fought home & abroad

3. II. Louis XIV – The Sun King of France
He was only 5 years old when he became king in 1643
The real power was held by the ruthless Mazarin
His policies led to 5 years of riot & revolt
Louis grew up a scared kid who hated Paris
When Mazarin dies in 1661, Louis takes full control of France

4. Nobles at court helped him get dressed in the morning
Had very strong opinions & expected everyone around him to meet his demands
Had 500 cooks available 24/7
Nobles at court helped him get dressed in the morning
Loved theater; had operas & plays written just to be performed for him
Had a palace built at Versailles, so that he could escape Paris
Cost somewhere between $2bil & $300tril

5. Young Louis

6. Older Louis

7. Versailles

11. Hall of Mirrors

12. Chapel

13. The Theater & Louis dressed as Apollo

14. Ms. Malstrom at Versailles

15. III. Peter the Great of Russia
Peter came to the throne in 1682
Like Louis he was young & his early life filled with violence
Dreamed of modernization for Russia
At 25, took a trip to Europe “in disguise”
Learned about technology & culture
Particularly interested in ship building

16. Came back & forced several changes:
Demanded that men shave their beards
Invited women to social events & wouldn’t allow them to wear veils over their faces
Adopted the Western calendar
Encouraged new industry
Took away power from the boyars (land owners)
Expanded Russia’s empire
Goal was to gain access to a warm weather port
Moved Russia’s capital