Part B
Essay
Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Use evidence from at least four documents in your essay. Support your response with relevant
facts, examples, and details. Include additional outside information.
Historical Context:
Throughout history, autocratic leaders have exercised authority over their countries
and the lives of their people. The actions of autocratic leaders have both helped and
hurt their countries and their peoples. Examples of such leaders include Emperor
Shi Huangdi, Czar Peter the Great, and King Louis XIV.
Task: Using the information from the documents and your knowledge of global history,
write an essay in which you
Select two leaders mentioned in the historical context and for each
• Describe actions taken by the leader that show this individual was an autocrat
• Discuss the extent to which this leader’s use of autocratic power helped and/or
hurt his country or his people
Guidelines:
In your essay, be sure to
• Develop all aspects of the task
• Incorporate information from at least four documents
• Incorporate relevant outside information
• Support the theme with relevant facts, examples, and details
• Use a logical and clear plan of organization, including an introduction and a conclusion that
are beyond a restatement of the theme