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Name:

Philip III

Nickname:

Philip the Pious

Words I Live By:

“God, who has given me so many kingdoms, has not given me a son fit to govern them.”- my dad, -me

Words To Describe Me:

Devout Catholic, Efficient Diplomat, go with the flow, normal, pious.

Background:

Born April 14, 1578 in Madrid

Father was Philip II and mother was his father’s cousin Anna of Austria (Hapsburgs)

Married Hapsburg cousin, the Austrian archduchess Margaret

Became King of Spain in 1598, was also King of Portugal (Philip II there)

Became King at 20 years old

Goals

1. Strengthen Catholicism

Many religious wars are going on at this time, so it's important to protect the true religion

Also will ensure Spain’s power, if Europe becomes too Protestant, Catholics and Catholic nations like Spain will be short on allies

1. Maintain Spanish Power

Territories like the Netherlands are rebelling, important to put down rebellions to show Spain is still strong.

Make ally through marriage (preferably to a Catholic Princess)

1. Strengthen Colonial Holdings that my father gained

In Chile, many native tribes are destroying Spanish villages in the Arauco War, important to protect colonists to maintain a source of revenue

Continue extracting gold and resources from the colonies

1. Solve/Stem the Bleeding of Spain’s Financial Problems

Before beginning of reign/at the beginning, several bad harvests caused economic issues that need to be resolved

Inherited debt from father

Actions/Accomplishments

1. Strengthened Catholicism

Expelled the Moriscos (descendants of Muslims) from Spain

- Approximately 300,000 were removed from Spain from 1609 to 1614

Maintained fight against Dutch Calvinists, recaptured a lot of northern Dutch territory where Calvinists lived, before I went bankrupt.

1. Improved the failing economy (for a while)

Deal w/ Castillian cortes (parliament), gained more money to help pay off debt in exchange for categorical grants (basically) to use the funds given to him for what the cortes wanted. It’s imperfect, but helped stem the bleeding by opening up other funds.

Converting asiento tax systems into long term juros bonds, gave some temporary relief by lowering interest rates on what the crown owed to farmers.

1. Improve Spain’s Foreign Policy

Negotiated the 12 Years Truce with the Dutch and English prior to the 30 Years War (gave us time to regroup and gain finances for the war, but at the same time acknowledged the autonomy of the Northern Dutch Republic)

Maintained Peace w/ France following death of Henry IV (had been our most powerful rival)

Began successful campaign against Dutch at beginning of 30 Years War

Put down issues with the Chilean natives using Defensive War which lessened the bloodshed.

Created “Pax Hispanica” during the 12 Years Truce where Spain was the dominant European power.

Room For Improvement:

While I genuinely cared about my kingdom and most of my subjects, I was a very laid back monarch and didn’t pay as much attention as I should have to the issues in my country. Instead I delegated things to dukes who ultimately let me down.

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Encyclopaedia Britannica, Editors of. "Philip III king of Spain and Portugal."
Britannica, www.britannica.com/biography/
Philip-III-king-of-Spain-and-Portugal. Accessed 15 Nov. 2021.

"Philip II of Spain Quotes." LibQuotes, libquotes.com/philip-ii-of-spain.
Accessed 11 Nov. 2021.

"Spain - The reign of Philip III." Britannica, www.britannica.com/place/Spain/
The-reign-of-Philip-III#ref587578. Accessed 15 Nov. 2021.

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Philip the Prudent, or Majesty Philip the Most Catholic

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Philip the Prudent, or Majesty Philip the Most Catholic

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Absolute monarch, devout defender of the True Faith,  zealous, austere, ambitious, intelligent

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“I would rather lose all my lands and a hundred lives than be king over heretics.”

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Born in Valladolid, Spain on May 21, 1527

Grandson of King Ferdinand & Queen Isabella of Spain

Son of Emperor Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire

At various points, King of: Castile, Aragon, Naples, Sicily, Valencia, Majorca, Sardinia, Navarre (through marriage to Elisabeth of Valois, daughter of Henry II and Catherine de Medici), Portugal, England and Ireland (through marriage to Mary I, daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon); Archduke of Austria (through marriage to Anna); Lord of the Netherlands; Duke of Burgundy

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Goal #1: Strengthen and advance the true faith, Catholicism, at any cost

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Goal #1: Strengthen and advance the true faith, Catholicism, at any cost

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My sincere devotion to Catholicism will give Spain a strong ally with the Pope

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Goal #2: Increase Spain's power and influence

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Goal #2: Increase Spain's power and influence

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o Sponsor exploration to the Americas (and subsequent conversions of the heathen Indians)
o Wage wars in Europe to gain land and influence (those Dutch Protestant rebels don’t stand a chance against me!)
o Amass the largest navy in the world – no one will be able to defeat us!

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Goal #3: Leave a lasting legacy in Spain through the sponsorship of art and literature

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Goal #3: Leave a lasting legacy in Spain through the sponsorship of art and literature

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Sponsor women artists, because even though women are not equal to men, Sofonisba Anguissola is an excellent court painter

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Major accomplishment #1: Centralized power in Spain

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Major accomplishment #1: Centralized power in Spain

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Successfully reigned as an absolute monarch from 1556-1598

Ruled as God's representative on Earth - had God's divine right to rule

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Major accomplishment #2: Strengthened the Catholic Church by defending the Catholic Counter-Reformation and using the Inquisition to suppress Protestant influence

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Major accomplishment #2: Strengthened the Catholic Church by defending the Catholic Counter-Reformation and using the Inquisition to suppress Protestant influence

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Fought heresy by:

Expelling Moriscos from Granada

Engaging in a campaign against Dutch heresy

Allying with the Pope to put an end to Elizabeth I and her spread of Protestantism in England

Defended Europe against the Ottoman Turks at the Battle of Lepanto

Financed the Catholic League and aided the French against the Huguenots

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Major accomplishment #3: Extended Spanish power and influence

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Major accomplishment #3: Extended Spanish power and influence

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Through marriage: Married women from four different countries (Portugal, England, France, Austria) in order to build alliances and pacify enemies

Through war: Gained control of Portugal and defeated the Ottoman fleet; funded Catholics during religious wars in Europe

Through exploration: Established the first trans-Pacific trade route between America and Asia; commenced settlements in the Philippines (which are named after me!) and colonized areas on every known continent in the world, being sure to spread Catholicism

Through wealth: Extracted an incredible amount of silver and gold from colonies in the Americas, which fueled the Spanish economy and ensured lasting Spanish power

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While I receive a tremendous amount of gold and silver from my expeditions to the Americas, and while I use a lot of that money to fund the construction of beautiful Catholic churches and fight God-honoring Catholic wars against the heathen Protestant nations, some critique my spending as being “too focused on Catholicism” and not on supporting my local people

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Please copy and paste your bibliography at the bottom of your resume!

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“May I be damned! I've killed my son! I've killed my son!”

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"Biography of Ivan the Terrible, First Tsar of Russia." ThoughCo, www.thoughtco.com/ivan-the-terrible-4768005. Accessed 19 Nov. 2021.

"Ivan the Terrible: Biography, Accomplishments, and Facts." Encyclopedia Britannica, www.britannica.com/biography/Ivan-the-Terrible. Accessed 19 Nov. 2021.

"Ivan the Terrible -Facts, Achievements, and Quotes." Biography.com, www.biography.com/royalty/ivan-the-terrible. Accessed 19 Nov. 2021.

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-First tsar of Russia:

1. First ruler to be declared “tsar of all Russias.”

2. He was the first ruler to unify most of the principalities and duchies that made up Russia, consolidating power.

-Reformed the Government:

1. Installed an updated legal code

2. Established a Parliament and a Council of Nobles, however as things got more tenuous he would go on to dissolve these.

3. Established the use of the printing press.

-Created a standing army:

1. A standing army was a key point for any absolute rulers. It made it easy to intimidate and crush rebellions on a whim.

-Built St. Basil’s Cathedral:

1. Like Louis XIV’s Versailles, Ivan needed a building to suitably intimidate his people. He created St. Basil’s Cathedral as a sign of power, he was also strongly Orthodox. It still stands in modern day Red Square.

-Created the oprichnina:

1. He sensibly abdicated after the treacherous boyars murdered his wife, but the fools realized they couldn’t rule without him. He agreed on the condition that he was given absolute rule and this little sub-area, the oprichnina, was completely subject to him alone, not the government.

-Formed the first Russian Secret Police:

1. Known as the oprichniki, they answered only to Ivan.

2. He sent them after dissidents and used them to strike fear into the populous.

-Limited the power of the Boyars:

1. He executed nobles.

2. It was common for him to take land from boyars who disagreed with him and give it to members of his secret police. Thus limiting the power of the Boyars and giving more to himself.

Room for Improvement:

-I have a strong drive and exacting standards for myself and people around me, but sometimes these high standards boil over and I can get a bit angry when things aren’t as good as I know they can be.

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-To expand the Russian Empire:

1. He really wanted to gain access to the Baltic sea in order to increase overseas trading.

-To unify Russian principalities:

1. He wanted to create one unified Russia out of what was at that time a bunch of duchies or principalities that talked to one another.

-Limit the Boyar (Noble) class:

1. Threat to his power, and they probably murdered both his mother and wife.

-Resist the Mongol Golden Horde:

1. Russia was still a relatively new group, the Mongol Golden Horde had controlled most of that area for decades.

2. In order for Russia to grow, and Ivan’s power with it, he had to keep the Golden Horde out.

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-Born on August 25, 1530

-Member of the Rurik dynasty

-Father was Basil III, Grand Duke of Moscow. Died when he was 3.

-Mother was Elena Glinskaya, who served as regent until she died in 1538.

-Married Anastasia Romanova, of the early Romanov dynasty.

-Killed son Ivan in a fit of rage.

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Extra, driven, ruthless, high-strung, perfectionist, rightfully-paranoid.

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Nicknames: Ivan the Terrible, Grand Prince of Moscow, Grozny

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Charles the First Otherwise known as Charles Stuart, King of England, I am Charles I. Some have described me as self righteous,a high concept royal authority, and believing in the divine right of kings. I’m a fine linguist, but I am also human. I’m a sensitive man with quite a refined taste. A quote that I live by, that exudes leadership and authority is ‘I go from a corruptible, to an incorruptible Crown; where no disturbance can be, no disturbance in the World’ An eternal crown.    I was the second surviving son of James IV of Scotland and Anne of Denmark. I was a sickly child, enough so that when my father became King of England in 1603, I was temporarily left behind in Scotland due to the risks that the journey harbored. All of my life I have had a Scots accent, and a slight stammer. I am on the introverted side, and strike observers as shy and reserved. But with my reservity comes my excellent temper and courteous manners that leave my no peers nothing less than impressed.    From the dawn of my reign, I have strived for parliament to increase my income, although they were persistent to reduce my power. It became a constant tug of war between me and Parliament. I installed a powerful military and was deeply religious. Due to my military and government actions, England became a much more democratic nation.   Some of my long list accomplishments consist of my appointing my Duke Buckingham, signing the petition of rights, declaring my intention of ruling alone, appointing peace with Spain and France. In 1629, I dissolved Parliament altogether.   This is when things go rather… sour for me. I was forced to call back Parliament following the risk of unrest in Scotland. In 1641 I faced military insurrection In Ireland. Facing yet another squabble with Parliament, I attempted to arrest five legislatures. Looking back, I suppose that was not a good idea. I panicked. In 1642, civil war broke loose. In 1646 I was forced to surrender. (I will spare you the gruesome details of my surrender) Scottish forces gave me back to Parliament. Using the last drop of my influence, I tried to persuade discontented Scots to invade England. Some fancy general defeated my royalist invaders within a year, ending the Second civil war. I was charged with high treason. My execution was ordered as a tyrant, traitor, murderer, and a public enemy. I deny all charges, of course. I was tried and condemned to death whilst still king. I should have worn my crown as a warning, so the gleaming of the gold blinded them as they announced my execution.    If there was anything I would need to work on, I suppose you could say my execution and being tried for treason whilst king is a rather dark spot, and perhaps I should ponder the results of my actions before rallying rebels to invade england. I overreacted you could say. I lack flexibility, and was unable to understand some political aspects due to my stubborn belief of the Divine right of kings. I was always so paranoid that someone would challenge my reign. For the longest time it has been just me. My brother died when I was 12, and the following year my sister had left for her marriage. This was all I had, and toward the end, I felt everyone was against me. I deserve a second chance. 

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Charles the First Otherwise known as Charles Stuart, King of England, I am Charles I. Some have described me as self righteous,a high concept royal authority, and believing in the divine right of kings. I’m a fine linguist, but I am also human. I’m a sensitive man with quite a refined taste. A quote that I live by, that exudes leadership and authority is ‘I go from a corruptible, to an incorruptible Crown; where no disturbance can be, no disturbance in the World’ An eternal crown.    I was the second surviving son of James IV of Scotland and Anne of Denmark. I was a sickly child, enough so that when my father became King of England in 1603, I was temporarily left behind in Scotland due to the risks that the journey harbored. All of my life I have had a Scots accent, and a slight stammer. I am on the introverted side, and strike observers as shy and reserved. But with my reservity comes my excellent temper and courteous manners that leave my no peers nothing less than impressed.    From the dawn of my reign, I have strived for parliament to increase my income, although they were persistent to reduce my power. It became a constant tug of war between me and Parliament. I installed a powerful military and was deeply religious. Due to my military and government actions, England became a much more democratic nation.   Some of my long list accomplishments consist of my appointing my Duke Buckingham, signing the petition of rights, declaring my intention of ruling alone, appointing peace with Spain and France. In 1629, I dissolved Parliament altogether.   This is when things go rather… sour for me. I was forced to call back Parliament following the risk of unrest in Scotland. In 1641 I faced military insurrection In Ireland. Facing yet another squabble with Parliament, I attempted to arrest five legislatures. Looking back, I suppose that was not a good idea. I panicked. In 1642, civil war broke loose. In 1646 I was forced to surrender. (I will spare you the gruesome details of my surrender) Scottish forces gave me back to Parliament. Using the last drop of my influence, I tried to persuade discontented Scots to invade England. Some fancy general defeated my royalist invaders within a year, ending the Second civil war. I was charged with high treason. My execution was ordered as a tyrant, traitor, murderer, and a public enemy. I deny all charges, of course. I was tried and condemned to death whilst still king. I should have worn my crown as a warning, so the gleaming of the gold blinded them as they announced my execution.    If there was anything I would need to work on, I suppose you could say my execution and being tried for treason whilst king is a rather dark spot, and perhaps I should ponder the results of my actions before rallying rebels to invade england. I overreacted you could say. I lack flexibility, and was unable to understand some political aspects due to my stubborn belief of the Divine right of kings. I was always so paranoid that someone would challenge my reign. For the longest time it has been just me. My brother died when I was 12, and the following year my sister had left for her marriage. This was all I had, and toward the end, I felt everyone was against me. I deserve a second chance. 

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The Solomon of England, King of Great Britain

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“...yet it lies in the power of no Parliament to make any king of law or statute without his scepter be to it for giving it the force of a law…”

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Trendsetter, ambitious, absolute monarch, Anglican advocate, Parliament-hater, money-maker, peace-maker

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-Born in Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, United Kingdom on June 19, 1566

-Son of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley

-Married to Anne of Denmark and father to Charles I and

-King of: England (1603-1625) and Scotland (1567-1625)

-The first monarch of the Stuart dynasty and first Absolute monarch of England

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-Unify Scotland and England and make them a single state

Dissolve Parliament from blocking my way to secure political unity

Change my status and title to King of Great Britain and not the separate King of England and King of Scotland

Get a Parliament that will agree to the union without any conflicts or debates

-Put a halt to Catholic plots and coups that weakened my rule and monarchy

Strengthen security for Parliament and me; this is very important since the Gunpowder Plot, where Catholic Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up Parliament and assassinate me

Further limit the power of Catholics in England by limiting their rights (I started working on this by eliminating Catholics right to vote)

-Claim more power and profit in the New World

Colonize land in North America near the Jamestown settlement in order to consolidate power and maintain control of the New World

Strengthen and increase the profit from the cultivation and market of plants such as tobacco

Sponsor and charter more expeditions and trips to the New World

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-Maintained and consolidated power

Introduced absolute monarchy to England

Asserted the Divine Right of Kings

Dissolved Parliament twice

-Commissioned and made a new translation of the Bible

The King James Version of the Bible became the standard text in England for 250 years

This English translation of the bible resolved some conflict between the Puritans and me at the Hampton Court Conference

-Generated more money for England

Through passing and placing taxes, impositions, of duties on trade and customs duties

Reduced debt England acquired from per and helped with keeping up with royal expenditures

-Created a state religion that started religious uniformity in England

Declared Anglicanism as a state religion

Passed and made Oath of Allegiance, required English Catholics to swear allegiance to me over the Pope to weaken Catholicism further

-Strengthened the relationship between England and foreign countries such as Spain to create allies

Through trade: expanded and increased trade by East India Company importing spices from the East, further strengthen commercial and economic relationships with foreign countries, especially Protestant run countries

Through peace-settlement: ended the long-lasting war between Spain in 1604

Through marriage: attempted to arrange a marriage between my son, Charles I, and the Spanish Infanta. I also married my daughter Elizabeth to the elector of the palatinate, leader of the German Protestants.

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The Merry Monarch

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Wise, peaceful, determined, tolerant, indulgent

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“If we are understood, more words are unnecessary; if we are not likely to be understood, they are useless”

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Even though I believe that monarchs should be supreme to Parliament and that monarchs have the last say in everything regarding government and law, a lot of people say that I need to maintain somewhat of a colloquial relationship between Parliament. Yes, I have dissolved Parliament three times which shows that I do need them to help rule sometimes. But they end up getting carried away. But, I just want to have centralized power for Europe so we can remain united and powerful. Being the only person in control will make our country, rather, will strengthen us, and Parliament having some power will weaken it more. After all, it is my divine right to rule the country according to the Divine Right of Kings.

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-Creating and establishing colonies (i.e., Jamestown)

-Fluent in Greek, Latin, and French

-Writing books: Daemonologie (1597), The True Lawe of Free Monarchies (1598), and Basilikon Doron (1599)

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Born May 29, 1630 in London

Oldest living son of Charles I and Henrietta Maria of France

had 7 siblings

was married to Catherine of Braganza at the age of 32 up until death in 1685

had 14 children with 7 different mistresses, never had kids with Catherine

Years of rule were known as England's "Restoration Era"

Rule began in 1660 and lasted until 1685

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Make Britain into a more religiously tolerant country & avoid any conflicts

there was a lot of tension between the Catholics and Protestants and he wanted to dissolve that

Bring stability back to Britain and gain the trust of his people

At the beginning of his reign, there was a lot of conflict anger between the people of Britain & Charles wanted to ease that

Create a strong relationship between Britain and the other countries surrounding, as well as with their leaders & people

To be a trustworthy ally, you must be a highly respected leader, Charles wanted to build those relationships with countries leaders throughout the world

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Expansion of trade throughout the Old World

During rule, Britain entered it’s Restoration Era

Signed a treaty with King Louis XIV agreeing to convert to Catholicism & support France in their war against the Dutch

Arranged the marriage of Mary and William of Orange in order to keep Britain protestant and appease the people

Disbanded Parliament in 1679 in order to avoid any more conflict

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“James I.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-I-king-of-England-and-Scotland.

“Age of Absolutism: AP® European History Crash Course.” Albert Resources, 23 July 2020, https://www.albert.io/blog/age-of-absolutism-ap-european-history-crash-course/#:~:text=Absolute%20monarchs%20were%20rulers%20who,their%20power%20came%20from%20God.

“History - James I and VI.” BBC, BBC, https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/james_i_vi.shtml.

“Union of the Crowns.” UK Parliament, https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/evolutionofparliament/legislativescrutiny/act-of-union-1707/overview/union-of-the-crowns/.

“James I of England, 1566 - 1625.” The Jamestown Chronicle, https://www.historyisfun.org/chronicles/james_more.html.

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One thing I could certainly improve upon is my inability to work alongside other people. It is made obvious that those of Parliament were not good friends, and although it was crucial I worked with them, I was unable to due to my independence and stubbornness.

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Roseveare, Henry Godfrey. “Charles II.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-II-king-of-Great-Britain-and-Ireland.

“Charles II (1630-1685).” BBC, BBC, https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/charles_ii_king.shtml.

“King Charles II: The Public and Personal Life of a British Monarch.” Royal Museums Greenwich, https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/king-charles-ii-public-personal-life-british-monarch.

“Charles II of England.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 26 Oct. 2021, https://www.biography.com/royalty/charles-ii-of-england.

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King of England, Scotland, and Ireland
Nickname: Séamus an Chaca or “James the 🤬”

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Born: October 14th, 1633 at St. James Palace, London, England. Surviving son of King Charles l and Henrietta Maria of France

Spouses: Anne Hyde and Mary of Modena

Captured during the English Civil War  but fled to exile on the continent, becoming a distinguished soldier, returning to England at the Restoration of his brother, Charles II

Inherited the thrones of England, Ireland, and Scotland from his brother with widespread support in all three countries

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Give civic equality to Roman Catholic and Protestant dissenters

Promote Catholicism by appointing Catholics to military, political, and academic posts

Exempt Catholics from the restrictions of the Test Act, laws that made a person's eligibility for public office dependent on one's profession and religion

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"I shall make it my endeavour to preserve the government in Church and State as it is by law established."

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Devout Catholic, Absolute Monarch, advocate for religious tolerance, loyal, brave, and effective

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Issued a Declaration of Indulgence, suspending the laws against Roman Catholics and Protestant dissenters

Master Opposition by controlling elections, expelling Protestant university officials and replacing them with Catholics, reviving the Anglicans Churches High Commision, which removed the critical bishop of London, and maintaining a standing army outside of London.

Paved way for England to permanently establish Parliament as the ruling power

Honored with the Knight King of the Garter

Held the titles of ‘The Duke of York’, ‘The Earl of Ulster’, ‘The Duke of Albany’ and ‘His Majesty The King’

Served in the armies of Louis XIV

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Colonization and trade, in hopes of securing a strong monarchy

Catholicism

Really well maintained hair

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The Glorious Revolution, 1688-1689, involved the overthrowing of Catholic King James ll

Replaced by his protestant daughter Mary, and her dutch husband, William of Orange

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Louis the Great and the Sun King

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“One king,One law,One faith”“That's what troubles me: I should like to suffer more for the expiation of my sins.”

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“One king,One law,One faith”“That's what troubles me: I should like to suffer more for the expiation of my sins.”

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Born September 15,1638 in France

Married to Françoise d’Aubigné, marquise de Maintenon

Later Married Marie-Thérèse of Austria

Son to Louis XIII and Anne of Austria

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Centralize and rein in control of France

Establish religious uniformity

Introduce more arts into French Culture

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Known to hold the longest reign of 72 years of any country.

He brought France absolute power and made France the dominant power in Europe.

Improved France's disorganized system of taxation and limit formerly haphazard borrowing practices.

Aquirred more land of Flanders which allowed France to gain more power

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Louis XIV could improve by realizing that France did not need to spend money and resources to be a part of a war that was unessacary for France.

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Nickname: Peter the Great, Father of His Country, Emperor of All The Russians.

Words to describe me: skillful diplomat, ambitious,

Quote I live by: “Soldiers' bellies are not satisfied with empty promises and hopes”

Background

Born in Moscow, Tsardom of Russia on June 6th, 1672.

After the death of his father, Feodor, Peter was given the throne at age 10 with his mother as regent.

Sophia Alekseyevna of Russia led a rebellion of the Streltsy, proclaiming the throne to be shared between Peter and his half-brother, Ivan V of Russia, with Sophia as regent.

In 1689 he seized power from Sophia and forced her to give up her title and live out the rest of her life in a convent.

Went with the Grand Embassy to visit western Europe

Goals

Westernize Russia.

Bridge the gap between Western European nations and Russia

Western European customs were superior to the current traditionalism of Russia.

Modernize the Russian military by becoming a maritime power.

Develop national industry and trade.

Obtain advanced industrial techniques.

Actions/Accomplishments

Transformed Russia into a strong European military power.

Expanded overseas.

Founded the first Russian Navy Base, Taganrog.

Seized ports at Azov and the Battic sea.

Increased Russian influence (for the first time) over the Caucasus and Caspian sea regions, which prevented the Ottoman Empire from making territorial gains.

Created a powerful Baltic fleet.

Established a modern military in place of the previous streltsy, which was unreliable.

Drew officers from nobility.

Conscripted peasants.

Equipped troops with bayonets and flintlock firearms.

Replaced cannons with new mortars.

Founded schools for military and naval service.

Passed “ The Army Regulations of 1716”

Required soldiers to be taught how to act in battle and to not blindly cling to rules.

Modernized and strengthened Russia by following in the footsteps of Western European countries and reformed medieval laws and practices to one influenced by the Enlightenment.

Sponsored secular, state-controlled education.

Mandated that all children of nobility should receive an education, particularly in science, and issued a decree of compulsory education.

Established colleges in the places of traditional government agencies.

Built and established St. Petersburg as the capital of Russia.

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Nickname: Ivan the Terrible, Ivan IV

Words to describe me: intelligent, ruthless, thorough

Words I live by: “I will not see the destruction of the Christian converts who are loyal to me, and to my last breath I will fight for the Orthodox faith.”

- Ivan the Terrible

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Born Ivan Chetvyorty Vasilyevich on August 25, 1530, in Muscovy, Russia

I was such an inquisitive young boy, I would torture small animals and enjoy music!

Grandfather was Ivan the Great

Mother was Regent Elena Glinskaya, died in 1538

Father was Grand Duke of Moscow Basil III, died in 1533

I Killed my son, who was named after me, after a minor temper tantrum (pictured above)

I was a devout member of the Orthodox Church

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Foreign policy wise, I aim for Russia to resist the mongol golden horde’s raids.

To Conquer all remaining independent regions, and create a unified land. Expanding Russia’s physical boundaries to neighboring areas bodes well for creating a larger and increasingly centralized Russia. I succeeded in doing so, when in 1552-1556, I demolished the Tartar khanates and claimed control of Astrakhan and Kazan. Hopefully, I will soon gain access to the baltic sea.

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I was the first Tsar of all of Russia, rather than the territory of dukes and duchesses, duchies.

Expanded Russia’s borders throughout Europe and Asia.

I initiated government reform. I spread the use of the printing press, reformed tax collection, instituted church reform, and created a legal code.

Defended the divine right of the ruler to unlimited power under God in his writings, which were preserved with the help of the printing press.

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Whilst I was mourning the death of my first wife, I briefly left the throne, and all of Moscow begged for my return. I obliged, graciously, of course on the condition of a few deals. As demonstrated, I care about ruling Russia more than my own wellbeing, which could be improved for my personal health. I am the most thoughtful Absolute Ruler you'll meet, I care too much!

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"Ivan the Terrible." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 12 May. 2021. school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Ivan-the-Terrible/43062. Accessed 7 Nov. 2021.

“Ivan the Terrible.” The Biography.com Website, A&E Television Networks, 2 Apr. 2014, https://www.biography.com/royalty/ivan-the-terrible. Accessed 6 Nov. 2021.

Prahl, Amanda. "Biography of Ivan the Terrible, First Tsar of Russia." ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/ivan-the-terrible-4768005.

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Frederick William I, King of Prussia

The Soldier King

“No, not quite naked. I shall have my uniform on.”

I am disciplined, passionate about order, pragmatic, intelligent, and a tough leader who takes a military style approach to life.

Background: I was born on August 14, 1688 in Berlin. My father was Elector Frederick III, subsequently I was raised in court politics and life. I hated it and found it extravagant and pointless; the more ascetic lifestyle appealed to me. In 1706 I married Sophia Doreatha (the daughter of George the First of England.) I have been married to her ever since. I was involved in the Spanish War of Succession where I quickly realized the military was to be my vocation of expertise.  I met Leopold I, the prince of Anhalt-Dessau, who commanded Prussian troops during the Spanish War of Succession. He has become my lifelong friend and advisor.

Goals

Reform the Prussian military.

Reform the Prussian Bureaucratic system

Instill order in every aspect of Prussian Government and Military

Grow the Prussian army

Make Prussia the third “Power of Europe”

Create a financially independent Prussia

Accomplishments

I reordered Prussia’s finances and grew them tenfold. I removed corrupt and radicalized officials from office. I settled peasant colonists on state lands and provided welfare to improve the circumstances of peasants in Prussia. I was able to avoid war while being situated between both of the “Great Powers of Europe” and actually creating stronger relations with neighbouring countries while growing the power and position of my own. I made a very ordered book of legal codification for the Government. I centralized the administration in which ministers took orders from me. I instituted compulsory Primary Education. Religious freedom was a big emphasis in my country. When I died on May 31, in Potsdam, Prussia, the country had an excellent and well supplied military, an organized and virtuous government, sound finances, and sound relations with other countries.  My son, Frederick the Great, would go on to establish universities in Prussia and make Prussia a hub of culture and art while at the same time establishing it as a battle tested country with the best infantry in the world, and an ever increasing position of status in Europe and in the world.

Room for Improvement

I tend to get very passionate about order and leading a militaristic lifestyle which can make me overly angry about laziness and messiness. I tend to become immersed in the goal at hand which usually becomes detrimental to my health.

Special Hobbies

I love to wear military uniforms and collect ones from different countries. In my free time I learn about new military strategies and technologies.

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Nickname: The Wisest Fool in Christenson

Words to describe me: strong advocate of royal absolutism,

fervent believer of the Divine Right of Kings, educated, politician

Quote I live by:

“I can make a lord, but only God can make a gentleman”

Background:

Born in Edinburgh Castle on June 19, 1566

Son of Mary, Queen of Scots and Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley

Was King James VI of Scotland (1567-1625) then became

King James I of England (1603-1625)

Was fluent in French, Latin, and English at the age of 8

Goals:

A union not only of the crown but of the kingdoms

Improving the crown’s finances

Unifying Scotland and England

Issued a proclamation for the uniting of Soctland and England

Actions/Accomplishments:

Greatest accomplishment is keeping the peace domestically, which allowed me to keep my throne in a volatile political environment

Maintained Protestant rule and retained the loyalty of most of my subjects by pursuing an ecumenical policy among the various factions

Artfully maneuvered Scotland and England’s religious factionism

Helped people in England and Scotland study science, literature, and art

Room for Improvement:

Maybe improve my laziness a bit

Improve my skills in English politics

Be kinder to both the Catholics and Puritans

Bibliography
https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-I-king-of-England-and-Scotland

https://www.worldhistory.org/James_I_of_England/

https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/king-james-i-4923.php