“Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely”
Having absolute power has been the Achilles heals for many rulers in ancient history. Is it lack of experience? Is it lack of wisdom? Is it just plain, old poor decision making? This may be the reason for some cases, but in most it’s the fact that absolute power corrupts absolutely. Not every king or queen abuse his or her power. It’s just more easily to come upon. There are rulers though that actually uses their power to build up their country for the best.
Louis XIV was born in France in 1638. He took the throne as king at the tender age of four years old in 1643. It wouldn’t be until he was twenty-three were he would take personal control of his empire due to the death of his Prime Minister. Louis ruled France for seventy-two years. His reign came to an end with his death in 1715. He was seventy-four years old. While on the throne Louis stabilized France and built it up to be one of the strongest countries in France. Though he actually ruled for only fifty-four years, the positive things brought to France made up for his years he wasn’t in control of his throne.
Maria Theresa took the throne as the queen of Austria in 1740. She was the next heir to her father’s throne, Charles VI. To be recognized as heir to the empire, her father Charles VI requested that other leaders sign an agreement that would allow others to respect Maria as the next person to rule. Maria Theresa took the throne at the age twenty-three. While in rule she was involved in war against Frederick the Great in Prussia. The war was being fought over land in Austria that bordered Prussia. Frederick the Great wanted to cease this land. The war would be called the Seven Year’s War. Neither ruler reached a victory. The dispute over the land was not resolved. Maria Theresa ruled for forty years. Her reign ended in 1780 with her death. Unlike other rulers, Maria cared for her peasant’s well being.
Philip II inherited Spain with the...