Ivan The Terrible

Part 1:

Objective:

My objective is to rule well Finnguard's and make a redutable enemie because is will be rulled by me, known as Ivan the terrible in Russia, I am the best placed for being the king of Finnguard's because I have a lot of experience with politics, economies, how to rule a kingdom, and war because I had a lot of enemies in Russia and defeated all of them, and I will reform the army, creating an elite force, and I will name it the Streltsi, I will also reform the church.

Experience:

Tsar (Czar)

• I was the Grand Duke of Muscovy

• I ran my empire with an iron fist. My empire's principles were based on cruelness, power, and strictness. I have the right to do whatever I want in my empire.
  

• I conquered the Khanates of Kazan and Astrakhan near the Wolga River. In 1558 I also conquered the Baltic cities Narva and Polotsk and started trading directly with England.

• I reformed the government and reduced both corruption and the influence of the Boyar families.

• I launched a holy war against Russia's traditional enemy - the Tartars

• I formed new trading connections, opening up the White Sea and the port of Arkhangelsk to the Muscovy Company of English merchants.

• In my later years I cultivated friendly relations with England, in the hope of securing some share in the benefits of civilization from the friendship of Queen Elizabeth I
  

• I formed new trade connections by opening up the white sea and the port of Arkhangelsk to the Moscuvy Company of English merchants.

• Ivan was crowned tsar with Monomakh's Cap Monomakh's Cap at the Cathedral of the Dormition Cathedral of the Dormitionat age sixteen on January 16 1547

My wife's:

• My married life had become unstable, I married eight times, my first was in 1561 I had married a Circassian beauty, Maria Temriukovna, but then I was tried of her.
• Two years after her death in 1569 I married Martha Sobakin, a merchant's daughter, but she died two weeks later.
• My fourth wife was Anna Koltovskaya, whom I sent to a convent in 1575.
• I married a fifth time to Anna Wassilchikura, but she foolishly took a lover.
• I replaced her by Wassilissa Melentiewna.
• After my seventh wedding day I discovered that my new bride, Maria Dolgurukaya, was not a virgin anymore. I had her drowned the next day.
• My eight and last wife was Maria Nagaya, whom I married in 1581.

Accomplishments:

• the destruction of the Tatar Khanates of Kazan in 1552 and Astrakhan in 1556
• Creat an Absolute Power
• Did his own empire in Russia
• Strengthened the Government
• When Ivan the Terrible died in 1584, Russia was left in a state of almost total political and economic ruin. ( this means that I was a good ruler in economic and political points)

References:

• Silvester (Priest)

Adviser, helped me in my early years of ruling

• Macarius (Metropolitan)

Adviser, helped me in my early years of ruling

• Alexej Adasjev

Adviser, helped me in my early years of ruling

Bibliography:

MLA:

Google Books. 2008. Google. 29 Oct 2008 < booksid="xdFVn1v3FMUC&pg=" lpg="PA166&dq=" source="bl&ots=" sig="RNc16PAtZ8TcZnpmWgRiRSTnqxw&hl=" sa="X&oi=" resnum="1&ct=">.

"Ivan, IV Biography." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2008. Bookrags. 29 Oct 2008 .

"Ivan The Terrible, The First Tsar." NNDB. 2008. Soylent Communications . 29 Oct 2008 .

"Ivan IV of Russia: Biography." Answers.com. 2008. Answers.com. 29 Oct 2008 .

"Ivan The Terrible, The First Tsar." Time Line Index. Time Line Index. 29 Oct 2008

Cracraft, James. "IvanIV,theTerrible."WorldBookOnlineReferenceCenter.2008.[Placeofaccess.]27Oct.2008.

Bos, Joan. "Biography of Ivan IV The Terrible of Russia." Mad Monarchs. 2008. Klaas Vermaas. 27 Oct 2008 .

Part 2:

Ivan The Terrible


1. The challenges

I expect that there would be many challenges when ruling a country like Finnsguard, but I believe I can manage them all. I would imagine that some of the challenges I will face while ruling Finnsguard will include the Church, nobles/ barons, and enemy countries. The elimination of the church would be my first priority, as they have gained too much power. First, I'd send a pillaging force to a Catholic town to gain the fear of other neighbouring towns. Afterwards, I'd warn the Catholic Church to leave or suffer similar consequences. As for the nobles/barons, similar tactics would play out rather well. First, I'd raid a small, weak town to promote the idea that anyone who dares disobey me shall be executed (which should scare the nobles/barons). Once all the nobles and barons fall to my command, I'll take their armies and stack them with the Finnsguardian army so that if they get any ideas of a rebellion in the future, they don't have the militia or man-power to back up their plans. In this way, my army would become the strongest army around, and so no one would dare put up a resistance for fear of what may happen to them. As for the remaining enemy nations, similar strategies would likely lead to the same result. I would conquer the nearest small countries (mainly the ones near the Finnsguardian border) in order to expand the land over which I control, and to get the message across to potential enemies who may be getting ideas of invasion. Those who ignore the consequences of resisting my warnings will instead have to face my army.

2. Talents

I am a talented man for the reasons listed below. First off, I am a very feared ruler, this makes my people scared so when I say something they would listen to me and won't disobey my orders. Second, I always had quite a good relationship with his eldest son, this shows that even though I am fearful, but I can also have good relationships with people, I am also a good chess player. Last, I am also a great horse back rider. Since I was a very good horse back rider, I become also good and had lots of experience in hutting. All this things that are listed tells that besides I am a good ruler, it also tells that I do sports like hunting, horse back riding and chess.


3. Why are you the best monarch for the job?

I believe that I would be the best monarch for the employment because of my experience of reign in the past, and my technique of ruling that have allowed me to gain success. The primary reason I believe I can the most prosperous monarch for the job is because I can adminster my experience in warfare, government, and economics. The one technique that I don't believe any of the other candidates have achieved is to reign with an iron fist. Despite being dispiced, you create fear which is very imporatant during a reign. You cannot allow a cascade of chaos to merge when rebuilding, and to do so, you must be feared. If I am feared, the possibilities are endless. I can assemble Finnsguard ito perhaps the greatest nation in the world!

Bibliography:

• Cracraft, James. "Ivan IV, the Terrible." World Book Online Reference Center. 2008. [Place of access.] 27 Oct. 2008.

• Bos, Joan. "Biography of Ivan IV The Terrible of Russia." Mad Monarchs. 2008. Klaas Vermaas. 27 Oct 2008

By Andrew Echevarria, Thomas Hoffmann, Nico Cheng, and Ross Martin

Elizabeth I

Part 1:

Objective:

To become the most honored and most admired person of all history by reorganizing the Finnsgard and making it the strongest country in the world.

Experience:

• 1533 (Born)-1603 (Died) Queen of England and Ireland.

Experience with Army

• Queen Elizabeth I sent an army to aid the French Huguenots after a 1572 massacre wherein over three thousand Huguenots lost their lives.
• She saved England from religious wars like those which France suffered in the second half of the 16th century.
• She defeated the Spanish Armada around the year 1588.
• After the Spanish Armada was defeated by the English, Elizabeth and her reign become more out of touch with her people.
• During the years 1562-1563, Queen Elizabeth I sent an English Army to aid the Protestant Dutch rebels against Phillip II.

Experience with Religion

• She have burned nearly three hundred Catholics because they refused to become Protestants.
• Queen Elizabeth the I was technically illegitimate under both Protestant and Catholic law.
• She restored the Protestant service but retained many features of Catholicism, including bishops and archbishops.

Experience with Navigation

• Queen Elizabeth I sent many navigators, explorers to get more wealth.
  
• Elizabeth I navigated toward Scotland to oppose the French presence, and to aid the Protestants.

Accomplishments:

• Speaks 5 languages fluently
• Is still one of the best loved monarchs, and one of the most admired rulers of all time
• Defeated the Spanish Armada(fleet)
• Queen Elizabeth is a great politician. She almost always gets her way with the parliament
• Reestablished England as one of the strongest countries in Europe
• Queen Elizabeth I established Protestantism as he English religion
• Queen Elizabeth I lead England as a woman, in what was very much a man's World, and she did his with courage, intelligence and loyalty of her friends

References:

• Philip II

King of Spain

• King Eric of Sweden

King of Sweden

• Mary I
  

Queen of Scots

Part 2:

1. What do you see as the biggest challenges as the new monarch of Finngard will face? How will you deal with these challenges?

With me being the new monarch of Finnsgard, I will probably face the same challenges as I first did in England. Since I was born the other gender I was first discriminated, and people didn't think I had the power, mentality and strength to rule the country of England. However, I showed them wrong. I worked to make England the most powerful country in Europe and so I did. During my reign in England, most people were Protestants but several parts of England was still Catholic. Even though it took a lot of work and time I worked my hardest to get to the goal of everyone being Protestants. Another challenge I will have to face is getting the respect from the rich nobles. Seen before, the nobles treat all people in a bad way and they don't obey the rules made by me, the monarch. I will get respect and make the nobles listen by using my politician skills in keeping the nobles happy but still getting my way. In my presence, I will work to promote Finnsgard as a united and strong country. As I said once before: "This is the Lord's doing and it's marvellous in our eyes." This means I work to get people see the greatness of my work.

2. What special talents do you have as a ruler that will help you rule Finngard effectively?

Since almost everyone in Finnsgard's are Catholic, I expect that they won't accept me as a ruler of England because I tried to convert the religion to Protestantism. As you know, I speak five different languages. I tried to read the ideas of the Martin Luther, which is in German and find the weaknesses of the Catholic Church, and convince them to realize the wrong things, so that they can realize that they should change their religion to Protestantism. "I may not be a lion, but I am a lion's cub, and I have lion's heart." When I had the throne, I realized that no one can rule the country alone. Therefore, I began to call my great advisers to help me to rule the country. At first, while I was struggling with Finnsgard, they helped me to solve some problems the best way possible. I listened to their advises without any doubts and began to put that in action with all my courage. So finally, I succeed to convert the English's religion to Protestantism.

3. Why are you the best monarch for the job?


I believe I was the best monarch. I boldly can say that I did many things that no one could think of. First of all, my most important attribute was that I ruled two countries:England and Ireland. I truly appreciate my advisers for giving me courage, intelligence, and loyalty to rule the countries. Around the year 1558, I defeated the Spanish Armada, which was the most powerful and dangerous fleet recognized by others. But that's not all, I have also discovered new lands and I have brought wealth to the English. I have reestablished a country as one of the strongest and wealthiest kingdoms in the world. "I have already joined myself in marriage to a husband, namely the kingdom of England." This means I ruled England with such strength and power that it became part of my life. That's the reason why people believe I am the one of the most loved monarchs in history.

By: Gustaf Bogered, Jong Yun Lee, Young Ki Hong and Pierfrancesco Mazzolini

Catherine the Great

Catherine the Great

Objectives:
My objective is to make Finnsgard a more educational country promoting the Enlightenment among the elite. That would also help the lower class because the elite could influence them by spreading their knowledge. My religion has been converted to the orthodox, meaning that I am very opened to other religions and their beliefs. My purpose is not the change religion of the Finnsgardians, but to make the church seem equal to all, just as I had secularized the church lands in Russia. Having the country become orthodox would help influence the Finnsgardians with new scientific ideas. They should not interfear with the religious beliefs. I am one to believe in surfdom, meaning that free portion of land would be given to all serfs and peasants. As I am aware that the lower class in Finnsgard is in need of land, food (agriculture), and medical care. People with authority should have the right to use it. Even though their might be upper classes that have their own armies I would like to be able to come up with a compromise between myself and themselves as far as ruling goes.

Accomplishments:

• Brought an educational reform to Russia- building elementary, secondary schools and Universities.

• Secularized the church lands.

• Helped spread the institution of serfdom, it was done by giving free land to peasants and serfs.

• Westernized Russia and extended its borders.
• Catherine built the first hospital and improved medical care in Russia.

Experience:
Empress Era 1761 St. Petersberg, Russia

• Empress Elizabeth died on December 25, 1761.
• Peter, the son of Elizabeth, was proclaimed Emperor Peter III, and Catherine became empress.
  
• Only a few months after coming to the throne, Peter had created many enemies within the government, the military, and the church.

The Solitary Ruler 1762 St. Petersburg, Russia

• Catherine wanted a higher role for herself.
  
• On June 28, 1762, with the help of her lover Gregory Orlov, she gathered her troops to support her overthrow Peter
• She succeeded and declared herself Catherine II, the sole ruler of Russia.

Wars and Assistance 1677 St. Petersburg, Russia

• Foreign affairs began to demand Catherine's attention.
  
• She had sent troops to help her former lover, Polish King Stanislaw (1677–1766)
  
• To suppress a revolt that aimed at reducing Russia's influence in Poland.
  
• Soon Turkey and Austria joined in by supporting the revolution in Poland.

Education and Medical Influence 1763 St. Petersburg, Russia

• Catherine worked to increase the education and learning in Russia.
  
• She built new elementary and secondary schools. Also, universities as well.
• The elementary school were all very private, so poor people could not afford to attend.
• Catherine also opened a new hospital which improved the medical conditions of Russia.
  

References:

• Jean-Jaques Rousseau - Philosopher
• Denis Diderot - Philosopher
• Prince Potyomkin - Russian general, political figure
• Grigory Orlov - Director-general of engineers and general-in-chief of Russia
• Nikita Panin - Russian statesman, political mentor

Interview Answers:

1. I think that the biggest challenge that i have to face as monarch in Finnsgard is the idea that the upper class and the church are very powerful. Both of these bodies of people have a lot of power. They believe that they posses more power than others, and some of them wont even pay taxes. But what they do not realize that I, Catherine the Great posses the leadership and persuasive nature into persuade them into following my rulings and my kingdom. First I will try, as i stated in my resume, to come into an agreement with the land owners and offer what I can to satisfy their needs and my new innovations for Finnsgard.

2. One of my most known actions includes my upbringing of an educational reform to Russia, my previous reign; I had elementary, secondary schools and Universities built. Besides just giving attention to education, I westernized Russia and extended its borders. I also was very interested in art and I had philosophy brought to my thrown. I opened one of Russia's first hospitals which improved the medical conditions. Another accomplishment of mine was that many industries bloomed including fur trapping, pottery, leather goods, steel working, ship building, candle making under my authority. Lastly, my foreign relationships are strong and successful, using the example of China.

3. I believe I am the best monarch for the job because of my leadership skills. I am favorable among the Aristocrats and higher social classes. My personal skills such as my education and my tongue for languages. My persuasive power will be able to persuade even the stubbornest of men. My priorities include things such as education and advances in science and the medical sciences. These ideas would not only improve the lives of Aristocrats but also those of the peasants and serfs. Education will flourish within Finnsgard and we will become one of the most advanced countries in the World!

Absolutism Webquest: Rubric

Your group will be scored in the following way:

PART 1: Worth 50 points
Your group resume...

• Is close to resume format (given the constraints of the blog), according to example provided in class.
• Provides ample examples for each area (Experience, Accomplishments, etc.).
• Uses resume language style (see example).
• Demonstrates that ample research has been done.
• Addresses the specific needs of Finnsgard.
• Is carefully edited for spelling, grammar, and formatting.

PART 2: Worth 50 points
Your written interview responses...

• Show thoughtful analysis of research.
• Show application of research to the needs of Finnsgard.
• Show knowledge of monarch.
• Are carefully edited and use clear language.
• Fully answer the questions.

LIVE INTERVIEW: Worth 15 points

• All group members are prepared for the interview.
• Group members offer help to the group representative if needed.
• Group representative is convincing as a job applicant for Finnsgard job.
• Group representative is in costume.

Absolutism Webquest: Introduction

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Finnsgard. As a fictitious European country in the year 1600, we have suddenly found ourselves at the end of our royal line! Good Queen Finn has died without an heir and we need to hire a new absolute monarch! Bow your heads for a moment and mourn this stupendous ruler's passing...

Now that we have that out of the way...

In the last 50 years we have developed an empire in the New World that, through mercantilism, provides us with excellent new agricultural products and raw materials. Mercantilism is an economic philosophy that holds that wealth can be acquired from colonies, and that to prosper a country must seek to acquire gold and export more than it imports. Finnsgard has fought fiercely with its European rivals (such as Spain, France and England) in the last century and continues to compete with those rivals for influence in Europe and the New World.

In general, Finnsgardians are Catholic. Because of this, there has been some strong resistance to the new scientific ideas that are floating around Europe. It is generally felt that Finnsgard needs to embrace some of the newer technologies. In the north and west of the country, the vast majority of Finnsgardians are Catholic and the Catholic Church is a major social and economic force. In the south, however, the new ideas of Martin Luther and Protestantism have begun to take hold in a portion of the population, causing tension between the Catholics and Protestants in the south that sometimes leads to violence. In the east, there is a very small population of Jewish and Muslim people, who play a similar role in Finnsgard as they did in Spain. They tend to be educated and prosperous, although they are deeply disliked and mistrusted by other Finnsgardians because of religious different and envy of their wealth.

The social classes in Finnsgard are deeply divided. The aristocracy [the nobles or the uppermost class] or the Catholic Church owns most of the land while most Finnsgardians are poor farmers and laborers. Life for Finnsgard's lowest class is nasty, brutish and short. The lowest class has been known to riot during times of plague, hunger, or economic trouble. The aristocracy, on the other hand, has long enjoyed political and economic power. Some of the wealthier members of the aristocracy have their own small armies and command much authority in their own areas. This has produced problems for Finnsgard's monarchs, because powerful nobles often do not want to obey the monarch's command (or pay taxes!!). With the growth of the Finnsgard empire, a middle class of merchants and educated professionals (like lawyers) has begun to form.

Absolutism Webquest: Task

All elements of this task must be posted to blog as a new post. The Part 1 is to be posted by the end of the day on Thursday, October 30. Part 2 is due in class on Monday, November 4.

PART 1:

Your team must compile a resume for your assigned monarch. Refer to the example that we looked at in class for ideas. This resume must include the following sections:

Objective Statement

• What is the purpose this resume? What do you [your assigned monarch] hope to accomplish by having someone read your resume?

Experience -

• What specific experience do you have that would qualify you for the position? List specific events from your life that would help explain why you are qualified for the position.
• Make sure to include positions that you held, titles you were given, and explanations of the actions that you took during particular events.

Accomplishments -

• What have you accomplished during your life that would make you look like an ideal candidate for the position? List specific accomplishments or awards that would make you appear to be the best candidate.

References -

• List the names and titles of two historical people that could talk about your qualities as a ruler. These two people should be able to give specific information about your experience, accomplishments, and abilities.

Post the resume to blog.


PART 2:

Your team must also select one person who will represent your monarch in an interview. That person must be ready to respond to the following questions about your monarch's qualifications (in class on November 3). Your team should compose short answers (complete sentences) to the following questions. Remember, you are trying to get a job here, so don't be afraid to toot your monarch's horn! Also, edit your work carefully. No one wants a monarch with poor grammar! These answers will be turned in to the dead Queen Finn on November 3.

1. What do you see as the biggest challenges the new monarch of Finngard will face? How will you deal with these challenges?

2. What special talents do you have as a ruler that will help you rule Finngard effectively?

3. Why are you the best monarch for the job?

This work must be posted by the end of the day on Thursday, October 30. All members of the class will review each candidate's resume by November 3.

Absolutism Webquest: Research

You may use a variety of sources to compile your resume and interview responses. Be very careful with websites. Some of them are not reliable! If you are unsure, make sure you can verify the information from a questionable website with a reliable source. Here are some websites to start you off:

Age of Absolutism Weblinks
Absolutism and Constitutionalism in Europe
Biography.com
Absolute Monarchs Links Page

Absolute Webquest: Requirements

1. All group members must be ready to report exactly what they contributed to the group's effort.

2. MLA Bibliography.

3. Use at least two quotations from your ruler in either Part 1 (Resume) or Part 2 (Interview Responses).

4. For the interview, the person playing the role of the ruler must dress in character.

5. All members of the group must be able to make a compelling argument as to why your monarch is the best choice for the job. Just because you are not being interviewed does not mean I won't ask you questions.

Class DPD

Much better. I think JY phrased this one well:

If humans are equally born as an evil, which means they are greedy and desire things, how could they select a sovereign, who has all the power to control them?

More work is needed!

I am yet to see any real discussion from this class. Everyone posted their own ideas, but only at the very end did anyone pose a question about what your common DPD should be. I am going to wait to post your DPD until I see YOU GUYS engage in an actual discussion. Your IQ will still be due on Thursday, so get going!

Hobbes DPDs

Hello A Block students! Please post you DPDs or comment on other DPDs here. I want to see the class discuss what the DPD should be. Ideally, YOU will decide what the DPD is, not me!!

You may post your ideas as either new posts or as comments to other peoples' posts. Always sign your name so that you can get credit for your participation. Any nastiness, bullying, or meanness will result in the immediate termination of your ability to post on blog.

Happy interpreting!