Absolute Rulers Essay
Hon World History
Louis XIV, Peter the Great, and Tokugawa Ieyasu all considered their own power and strengthened their states in many different ways but their actions were all similar. They united their states, introduced reforms and assessed their power and the effect that they could have on others. Although their techniques were different, the ways these monarchs ruled their states show great similarities. Unity is one of the many things that make the reigns of all of these monarchs so similar. For example Louis XIV continued the work of his predecessors to create a centralized state governed from the capital in order to sweep away the fragments of feudalism which had continued in parts of France. Like Louis, Czar Peter the Great wanted to unify Russia; He decided to do this by turning them into a great military power and westernize it. Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated his rivals at the battle of Sekigahara in 1600. The victory earned him the loyalty of daimyo throughout Japan. He later became the sole shogun and moved the capital, unifying Japan. The reformation of government policies and customs were instrumental in these monarchs creating their own legacy to be left behind and followed by their successors. The best example of reformation in this section is Peter the Great’s decision to westernize Russia. He not only changed laws but he also changed the way people in his state behaved and carried themselves. He did this by introducing laws and telling people the correct way to live. Louis XIV introduced reforms in domestic policy in France; to do this he built on the policy created by Lois III but he also added his own ideas and those of others. Tokugawa Ieyasu like the others changed the social structure of Japan; he supervised early diplomatic relations with Europeans and established a dynasty to ensure that the Tokugawa clan continued to rule long after his death. Also, Tokugawa passed a proclamation...