Step into the Age of Absolutism: Who Was History’s Worst Ruler?
Not all power corrupts equally—but absolute power? That’s another story.
In this creative, argument-based project, students investigate a historical monarch and build a case for why their ruler was the most absolute—or simply the worst. Blending research with historical thinking and creative presentation, this activity transforms the typical biography report into a persuasive, high-engagement experience.
Was their monarch a feared tyrant, a religious manipulator, or a military aggressor with a lasting legacy of harm?
Explore Absolutism Through Historical Argument
This isn’t a report—it’s a persuasive case study in control, power, and historical impact. Students begin by examining the core ideas behind absolutism and divine right, using guided slides to build context. Then, they select a monarch (from Louis XIV and Peter the Great to Akbar, Suleiman, or Tokugawa Ieyasu) and dig into how their ruler used power—fear, taxes, propaganda, conquest, or repression.
Students choose how they present their case: a skit, fake campaign ad, puppet show, poster, animated report, rewritten song, or digital slideshow. Their peers score each ruler using a category-based evaluation form that considers control tactics, legacy of harm, and historical impact. The unit culminates in a class vote: Who was the most absolute of them all?
🧠 Topics Covered:
Absolutism, divine right, and centralized power
Monarchs’ use of fear, warfare, propaganda, and repression
Long-term legacies of absolutist rule
Global rulers from Europe, Asia, and the Islamic world
Argument writing, peer evaluation, and historical reflection
✅ What’s Included:
Google Slides intro: definitions, examples, project setup
Student project guide with rubric and format options
Peer evaluation journal with scoring and reflection
Bonus monarch list for larger classes or group formats
Optional class vote instructions and discussion prompts
Editable and printable versions for flexible use
Why It Stands Out
Most monarchy projects focus on facts. This one focuses on evidence-based argument. Students don’t just explain what a ruler did—they build a case for why it mattered, how it affected others, and why it makes that monarch a contender for the “worst” title.
It’s flexible, competitive, and high-impact—ideal for global history, government, or comparative power units.