Question

Briefly describe the major points of each of the following monarchs:

—Ivan IV:
—Peter I:
—Catherine II:
—Charles V:
—Philip II:
—Henry IV:
—Louis XIV:
—Louis XVI:
—Maria Theresa:
—Joseph II:

Answer 1

1. Ivan IV, also known as "Ivan the Terrible," was the first Tsar of Russia. He ruled from 1547 to 1584. He was born in 1530 and died in 1584. People remember him for centralizing power, expanding Russian territory, and making changes to the law. But his rule was marked by brutal secret police, political repression, and paranoia.
2. Peter I, also known as Peter the Great, was the ruler of Russia from 1682 to 1725. He is known for his many reforms, which were meant to make Russia more modern and like the West. Peter built a strong navy, changed how the government worked, and started the city of St. Petersburg. During his time in power, his army grew and he won wars against the Ottoman Empire and Sweden.
3. Catherine II, also called Catherine the Great, was the ruler of Russia from 1762 to 1796. She was born in 1729 and died in 1796. She was a wise ruler who made many changes to how education, law, and government worked. Catherine added more land to Russia by taking over Crimea and parts of Poland. She also helped the arts and sciences.
4. Charles V was King of Spain from 1516 to 1556 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1519 to 1556. He was born in 1500 and died in 1558. During his time in power, he built a huge empire that stretched across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Charles V dealt with religious conflicts, like the Protestant Reformation, and fought many wars with France and the Ottoman Empire.
5. Philip II: From 1556 to 1598, Philip II of Spain (1527–1598) was in charge. The Spanish Golden Age, a time of cultural and artistic growth, happened during his time in power. Philip II was a devout Catholic, and he fought Protestants and the Ottoman Empire with force. He is also known for the failed Spanish Armada invasion of England in 1588.
6. Henry IV: From 1589 to 1610, Henry IV of France (1553-1610) was in charge. He was the first Bourbon king and is best known for issuing the Edict of Nantes, which gave the Huguenots freedom of religion. This ended the Wars of Religion between Catholics and Protestants in France (French Protestants).
7. Louis XIV: From 1643 to 1715, Louis XIV of France, who was born in 1638 and was called "the Sun King," was in charge. Louis XIV's rule is seen as the peak of French absolutism because he consolidated power, grew the French empire, and supported the arts. He is also known for building the Palace of Versailles, which was the political and cultural center of France.
8. Louis XVI: From 1774 to 1792, Louis XVI of France (1754–1793) was in charge. During his time in power, France's financial problems got worse, in part because he helped the American Revolution. The French Revolution started because of this crisis and the trouble it caused in society. Louis XVI was finally overthrown, put in jail, and killed by the guillotine in 1793.
9. Maria Theresa: From 1740 to 1780, she was the Queen of Hungary and Bohemia and the Archduchess of Austria. She was born in 1717. She is known for making changes to the government and the military that made the Habsburg Empire stronger. Maria Theresa also supported the arts and sciences, and Austria's culture grew during her rule.
10. Joseph II was Holy Roman Emperor from 1765 to 1790. He was born in 1741 and died in 1790.