Enlightened Despot Résumés
Not all of the leaders contemporary to the Enlightenment were absolute monarchs who ignored the calls for social reform
written and supported by the philosophes. Some absolute leaders tried to incorporate Enlightenment ideals while still holding
on to power. Furthermore, leaders from outside of Europe displayed enlightened ideals, and even today some leaders have
absolute power, but remain popular due to their generous and enlightened leadership. These are some of my closest pals and I
think you will find the perfect leader listed among them.
Ruled:
Maria Theresa of Austria
Austria (1717 until 1780)
Ruled:
Catherine (II) the Great
Russia (1762 until 1796)
Education: Her father did not give her any government training
beyond basic elementary education. Thus, she was largely selftaught.
Education: From a French governess. Like many Russian nobles at
the time, Catherine’s French was better than her Russian; she
studied Russian by night.
Notable Actions and Characteristics
• Reformed the medical profession in Austria due to the high
rate of infant mortality. Made smallpox inoculation standard.
• Outlawed witch-burning and torture.
• Successfully defended her country from Prussia during the 7
Years’ War
Notable Actions and Characteristics
• Continued Peter’s westernization policies.
• Exchanged letters with philosophes like Voltaire and Diderot.
• Cut off cultural exchanges with France after the French
Revolution fearing Enlightenment ideas would cause revolt in
Russia also.
Rank: ________
Rank: _______
Ruled:
Akbar the Great
India (1556 until 1605)
Rules:
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
Brunei, a small nation bordering Malaysia(1967-?)
Education: Illiterate, but learned art, music and architecture from
courtiers who read to him.
Education: Graduate of the Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst,
England. Honorary PhD.
Notable Actions and Characteristics
• Constructed “victory pyramids” made from the heads of the
men he conquered.
• Granted all Muslims, Hindus and others equal rights.
• Created his own religion, the Din-I-Ilahi, which was a
combination of all faiths.
Notable Actions and Characteristics
• Before Bill Gates, the wealthiest man alive. Owns thousands of
cars.
• Provides free health care, education, TVs and an amusement
park for his people.
• Has total economic and political control over his country.
Rank: ________
Rank: ________
Ruled:
Suleiman the Magnificent (the Lawgiver)
Ottoman Empire (1520 until 1566)
Rules:
King Corburn (III)
KIPP King (Starting today-Until forever!!)
Education: At the age of seven, he was sent to study science,
history, literature, theology, and military tactics in the schools of the
Topkapı Palace in Istanbul.
Education: First person in his family to finish a 4-year degree.
Attended Cornell and Pace Universities. Has studied 4 languages
but only speaks one.
Notable Actions and Characteristics
• Made the Ottoman Empire one of the world’s foremost
powers. Conquered Hungary, the Middle East, North Africa
and laid siege to Vienna (Capital of Austria).
• Scared the bejeezus out of the Europeans—Shakespeare was
terrified of the Ottomans (thus he wrote Othello)
• Reformed Ottoman law by creating a modern legal code that
did not violate the Shari’ah.
• Opened many mektebs (primary schools) and medressehs
(colleges).
• Extended protections over Jewish and Christian subjects at
roughly the same time Spain banished Jews and Muslims.
Notable Actions and Characteristics
• Well-traveled in Asia and Europe. (40+ Countries visited…so
far.)
• Served as a teacher in Harlem, NY and San Lorenzo, CA
• Good friends with Akbar and Suleiman
• Possesses a stunning, brilliant, uncorny, sense of humor.
• Has total, complete and irrevocable power over your
grades. (Think carefully about that ranking.)
Rank: ________
Rank: ________
Task Two
Answer the following questions in your group and prepare to discuss out loud.
1. Which of these leaders should be considered “enlightened?” Why? Which are not enlightened? Why?
2. Should we refer to Akbar, Suleiman and Hassanal Bolkiah as Enlightened Despots? Why or why not?
3. How are these Enlightened Despots different from the absolute monarchs we talked about last week? Which
type of ruler do you think is better? Why?
4. Who did you rank the highest? The lowest? Why?
5. Would you want to form a social contract with any of these leaders? Why or why not?
Task Three: Finish the Pyramid for Absolutism to Enlightened Despotism below:
New Status Quo:
Enlightened
Despotism
Old Status Quo:
Absolutism