Preview

Who Was the Better Leader, Louis Xiv or Peter the Great?

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
615 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Who Was the Better Leader, Louis Xiv or Peter the Great?
CHY 4U
RESEARCH ESSAY
October 10, 2012
Who was the better leader, Louis XIV or Peter the Great?
---A Better France Under the Rule of Sun King: Louis XIV

Louis XIV and Peter the Great were two of the most famous absolutism monarchs in Europe. In my point of view Louis XIV did a better job as a leader. In the 17th century the Europe world entered the age of absolutism. After the religious wars, most European people put their attentions back from the wars and more focused on their own life. At that time, nobles and kings of European countries get more power in managing people. And monarchs’ power and rights reached to the top stage as they claimed to rule by divine will.

Louis XIV and Peter the great became absolutism monarchs because of different reasons. Louis XIV inherited absolutism from his father Louis XIII but not created absolutism, in another word Louis XIV was forced to become the monarch of France because of his blood.【idea: Louis was born to be the lord】

There had a lot of similarities between Louis XIV and Peter the Great when the一ruled their countries. As monarchs of France and Russia, both of Louis XIV and Peter the Great made their people economic suffered. They put most of their money in military and recreations. They had stood armies to defend countries against enemies. And Louis XIV and Peter the Great realized that nobles were threats of their throne and they paid a lot to build fabulous palaces to show off and for another reason, the continual parties which held in their palaces could make nobilities busy and as a result the monarchs could control the nobles in a peaceful and secretive way. They were both considered as ruthless monarchs.

Luck was also a necessary condition for Louis XIV to become a successful leader. Why he did similar things as Peter the Great but always made them better in more efficient way. France had XX before Louis became the monarch

Both of these two absolutist rulers, Louis XIV and Peter the Great have



Cited: List ← Durant, Will and Ariel Durant. The Accomplishment of Peter the Great. 1963. Ed. Stuart A. Kallen. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Inc, 2001. 79-88 ← Cobban, Alfred. The Absolutist Rulers of Europe. 1969. The 1700s-Headlines in History. Ed. Stuart A. Kallen. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Inc, 2001. 37-46 ← Doyle, William. The French Revolution: A Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press, Inc. 2001 ← Adas, Michael, et all, eds. World Civilizations: the Global Experience. 5th ed.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Absolute Monarchs were eithere kings or queens who controlled the complete way of life in the country they ruled. Absolutism is the rule of one person over any given thing. The two rulers that showed absolutism in the documents are Louis 14th and Peter the Great. They were both absolute monarchs and both ruled over large territories.…

    • 402 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    To make a long story short, Louis XIV tried to have power over everything and everyone possible, including the clergy. Absolutism became a well-known term during this period and basically was a political theory that sought to ? encourage rulers to claim complete sovereignty within their territories.? As an absolute monarch you could ?make laws,…

    • 455 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Why Is Louis Xiv Effective

    • 1100 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Want an effective leader? Then Louis XIV would not be a great choice. I believe he is an ineffective leader because of a few reasons; one, he lost all four wars that he placed wages on, leading France to bankruptcy. Two, he failed at his goal of becoming the master of Europe. And third, because protestants would not convert to Catholicism, he threatened to kick them out if they didn’t convert or execute them if they stayed, because they left, the businesses they owned and ran, left with them. In fact, I thought Louis XIV was effective at one point because he was very smart about something; he built Versailles and paid the nobles well to live…

    • 1100 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    The 17th and 18th centuries were a period filled with nation building and expansion across the globe as extensive, and often overseas, holdings became an indicator of a strong and wealthy country in this politically competitive era. However, the extent of a ruler's control was not their only concern. Many monarchs throughout Europe took great initiative to consolidate and increase their power, building absolute monarchies in which they held absolute power. The pursuit of political absolutism frequently stemmed from past conflict involving the various monarchs and included practices such as increasing the authority and control over the nobility, building standing armies, and independently collecting funds, the manner of which were similar between many rulers. An increase in the subjugation and control of nobles is most evident in the reigns of Louis XIV of France as well as…

    • 2606 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Louis XIV strove vigorously for supremacy in foreign affairs. He was to use his foreign policy to establish a universal monarchy for himself or alternatively to use it to secure natural frontiers for France thus improving its defenses. He worked successfully to create an absolutist and centralized state. During his reign Louis was involved in four major wars, some of which Louis may be accountable as the provocateur; however, I believe that mainly his motives were purely defensive. The war of Devolution served as a pretext which nettled him part of Flanders, although the Dutch then moved against him with the Triple Alliance. Louis was determined to crush Holland and this began the third of the Dutch wars, which depleted his treasury. Louis proved an incredibly extravagant spender, dispensing huge sums of money to finance the royal court. The following ten years the king limited his policies to diplomacy. Louis continued the nobility's exemption from taxes but forced its member into financial dependence to the crown and the provincial nobles also lost political power. Louis does have a genuine concern for his country and despite his dubious methods he does manage to secure the territories that he wishes to secure. He curtailed local authorities and created specialized ministries. Louis's grandson retained the Spanish throne but the war of Spanish Succession left France in great debt and a weakened military. Louis used the bourgeoisie to build his centralized bureaucracy. He illustrated new administrative methods to make him more in control. Louis's general Colbert worked to improve the French economy. Colbert worked to create a favorable balance of trade and increase France's colonial holdings. He achieved a reputation for his work of improving the state of French manufacturing and bringing the economy back from the brink of bankruptcy. He reduced the national debt through more efficient taxation. His principal taxation devices included the aides, the douanes, the…

    • 407 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    King Louis XIV was a man of strength and courage with many ambitions that he was fully determined to achieve. He dedicated most of his rule taking steps to accomplish the goal of “one king, one law, one faith” for the country of France. By one king he aimed for the ruler to have supreme power over armies, government bureaucracy, and culture. This would eventually lead to the overall influence of the French upon other countries and their kings. By way of one law he aspired for the nobles to no longer rule over separate states but for one government with supreme power. King Louis had a desire for an absolute monarchy. As a result he would not be legally bound by any institutions or other persons in the country. This inclination was not easily met or as successful as he had hoped. Louis XIV sought religious unity between the French people, one faith. To do this he revoked the Edict of Nantes. King Louis XIV did not achieve his entire goal to the extent which he had anticipated but overall he was victorious, leaving a huge impact and influence on the French society and Europe as a whole.…

    • 747 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Louis XIV was the epitome of an absolute monarch. Through his endless wars, extreme extravagance, and absolute control over taxes and the economy, he set the example for other European powers. His absolute rule brought about both positives and negatives. By building a large army to defend and expand his borders, he alienated other empires and created enemies. Placing political power and faith in the nobility helped him rule a vast kingdom but displaced him from the common man. His obsession with being a great conqueror expanded France to its largest in history, but nearly bankrupted the country and resulted in losing more territory than he gained. Although Louis XIV brought many improvements to France, as well as western society, his insatiable lust for war and extravagance caused more harm than good to the French Empire.…

    • 750 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    William Jefferson Clinton was one of the greatest presidents to govern the United States as opposed to the Bush's. Clinton proved to the world our preeminence by way of control, economic growth, and policies ranging from Israel to social security. The Bush's proved to the world that they won the election. Louis XIV and the Stuart Kings also compare in similar ways. Louis XIV was a sound leader whose foresight and character led to the greatness of France, along with delegating authority to great economic and military leaders. The Stuart Kings possessed no foresight or character, many thought of them as stupid and stubborn, and the way they governed their country was reckless. Louis XIV prospered through absolute control, economic growth, and military reform. Where as, the Stuart Kings failure was due to no real control, economic turmoil, and civil war. The most important factor in the success of Louis XIV and the failure of the Stuart Kings was control.…

    • 1005 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    As Europe entered the eighteenth century a new emphasis was placed on developing colonies, earning money though taxes and a new system of justice and law. Great monarchs such as Peter the Great of Russia, and Louis XIV of France established many strategies in order to keep up with the rest of Europe. Both monarchs had similar goals such as to control the noble class, possess a professional army, and their views on religion. Peter’s goal to expand his empire through the use of his army, his tolerance of religion, his role as a “man of the people”, and his control of his nobles through taxation, differed from Louis non-tolerance of religion, control of his nobles through attendance at Versailles, use of an army for protection, and his divine right to rule.…

    • 891 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Absolutism in France was much more secure than Constitutionalism in England because Louis XIV had powerful standing armies. Louis came to a decision to chaos and anarchy was absolute power. Absolute monarchs created standing armies recruited, paid, and trained by the state. The…

    • 718 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Firstly,they were both autocrats,in that all decisions of state had to be approved by them.Secondly,they both wanted to curb the power of an ambitious nobility.However,they achieved this aim differently; Louis made his court at Versailles the centre of power,so the nobility had to spend all their time there if they wanted to have any influence.This kept them away from their own provincial power bases,making it hard for them to plot against the king.Peter on the other hand tortured and murdered any nobles he suspected of disloyalty.The main difference between the two was that Louis was ruling a cultural advanced,modern state - Russia under Peter was still very backward compared to major European states,so Peter worked hard to modernize Russia.Finally,both built up strong armies and used them for territorial expansion, thus increasing the prestige of their countries. Firstly,they were both autocrats,in that all decisions of state had to be approved by them.Secondly,they both wanted to curb the power of an ambitious nobility.However,they achieved this aim differently; Louis made his court at Versailles the centre of power,so the nobility had to spend all their time there if they wanted to have any influence.This kept them away from their own provincial power bases,making it hard for them to plot against the king.Peter on the other hand tortured and murdered any nobles he suspected of disloyalty.The main difference between the two was that Louis was ruling a cultural advanced,modern state - Russia under Peter was still very backward compared to major European states,so Peter worked hard to modernize Russia.Finally,both built up strong armies and used them for territorial expansion, thus increasing the prestige of their…

    • 302 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Absolutism created a time of prosperity throughout the 1500s and the 1600s. At this point of history, absolutism was an efficient way of running a government. Absolutist leaders were vigorous, assertive and a potent symbol of authority. The amount of industrial growth in countries such as Russia was both efficient and effective because the power of authority was concentrated into one person’s hands. Absolutism enabled Peter the Great to modernize and adapt Russia for war, commerce and industrial growth. Additionally, absolutism gave people a powerful leader they needed to trust in and depend on for their country's sake. This type of regnant is most evident King James I of England and King Louis XIV of France. For example, King James…

    • 257 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Louis the XIV

    • 990 Words
    • 29 Pages

    Louis the XIV was king of France from 1693 to 1715. He was an example of how to rule for many of the political leaders of the 18th century. An absolute ruler is defined by seven traits. Pacify and subjugate nobles, and centralize power around oneself. Another is to make both money and war. Dominate culture, make religion and finally build something worthy of your glory. Two Enlightened despots that took after Louis were Joseph II of Austria and Peter the Great, Czar of Russia. Both rulers had enlightened and despotic characteristics. Yet Joseph was more Enlightened and Peter more despotic. Both characteristics were important to have a strong nation, but as Peter exemplifies having more despotic characteristics helps a ruler maintain power and strengthen the nation, more so then enlightened ones. Joseph II takes full power in 1780 after his mother Maria Theresa dies, instantly he begins to institute many enlightened ideas. Joseph is radical and makes many changes to long withstanding traditions in Austrian society and government. First, he grants religious freedom and cuts off communication between his state clergy and Rome. Though Austria had always been staunchly Catholic, now a person of any religion could practice it freely. This is a very enlightened idea much before its time. Also, it was one of his only major changes which were kept after his reign ended. This was how Joseph II fits under the trait of making religion work for you; he actually tried to make it work for everyone. Another enlightened reform he implemented was a universal law code in which all Austrians have to follow the same rules and suffer the same punishments. He eliminates noble privileges, in matters like taxation, and crimes. This reform angered the nobility and almost put the nation in crisis. But it was one last reform which set off a spark of rebellion. Joseph II outlawed serfdom, he freed millions of peasants. They were free to go wherever, and choose…

    • 990 Words
    • 29 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Louis XIV had complete absolutism because he had the divine right to rule. He thought god single handedly chose him to rule over france.Every finance,graces of any type,ect had to go thru him and had to get his approval and so he knew everything that was going on. He also had no checks and balances…

    • 104 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Absolute monarchy or absolutism means that the sovereign power or ultimate authority in the state rested in the hands of a king who claimed to rule by divine right. Kangxi and Louis XIV were both shining examples for absolutist rule. Age of Absolutism was between 1610 and 1789. Absolutism is a term used to depict a type of monarchical power that was not at all restrained by institutions, for example, legislatures, social elites, or churches.…

    • 952 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays