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Max Meyer AP Euro Pd.

7 11-2512 Machiavelli suggested that a ruler should behave both like a fox and a lion, and be both loved and feared. Two excellent examples of this mentality are Elizabeth I of England and Peter the Great of Russia. Peter the great offered fierce determination in his westernization of Russia, and rigorously expanded the military. Elizabeth I had a very rigorous religious policy and had a very firm grasp on her government. Both of these rulers offered traits that made them very well rounded political individuals. Peter the Great sought great change after coming to power in Russia. He traveled to Europe and was impressed by how modern it was. He set out for the modernization of Russia. Along with physically being a very strong and big man, he was very capable in managing his country. He completely reconstructed his countrys army and navy, which made them very powerful. He created the senate to supervise what went on in his land. All members of a certain class must serve in military or civil offices. He also adopted western merchentalism as a way to gain money to finance all of his doings. He also adopted the idea of taking over the Russian Orthodox Church. He devised a book of western etiquettes that his people were meant to follow, however it was radically different from the mannerisms established in the country beforehand. I think that all of Peters policies describe Machiavellis words very well. The fox is his cunning economic transition and takeover of the Church. The Lion is his massive and deadly army, and his strong character. People love him because he brought so many needed and welcome changes to Russia, but they also fear him because he is very ruthless and made people change themselves. Elizabeth I was the first in a very long and ongoing line of royal family in England. Although she had some peril on her way to the

throne, she pulled through and made some very welcome changes for England. She had a religious policy based on moderation and compromise, in which she would not let one religion overpower the other. She did not want her country to be torn apart by religious matters. In secret, after many quarrels, she had her cousin Mary beheaded for acts of secret and wanting to overthrow her. She constantly raided and invaded the Spanish armada at sea, almost always victorious. People believed however, that she was helping the Spanish instead of hurting them. Her ruthlessness toward her cousin Mary and the Spanish armada represent the lion. She represents the Fox in her calm and fair religious policy, and her cool way of hiding her true nature with the Spanish. Many loved her because she had very beneficial policies for everyone. But at the same time however, the people she deceived, such as the Spanish hated her. Machiavellis statement about having a well-rounded ruler is very true. Both Peter the Great, and Elizabeth I acted like lions and foxs. Both were loved and hated by a wide variety of people. In the end, both brought great and beneficial reforms to their country.

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