Both monarchs had a royal background and were put into power with great expectations to maintain the stability that the country possessed. Citizens expect all government officials to keep the best interests of the people in mind. But unfortunately, due to Ivan's brutal childhood, he grew up observing and learning the ways of the corrupt elite. Ivan gained power primarily through fear, and with this tactic he was the first to exercise despotism in Russia. An example of this is the story of the peasants who disturbed Ivan during one of his retreats. They came to him to complain about their governor whom they believed to be unjust, but Ivan was so upset that they had bothered him with such a trivial matter that he punished them. The men had their hands tied behind their backs, boiling alcohol was poured over their heads, then their beards were set on fire with a candle. Apprehension and terror were the main tools Ivan had to keep his people in check. Despite his totalitarian mindset, Ivan believed that his decisions were always best for the country and that the only way to keep it safe was to leave it in constant fear. Although he was not always the most rational, the Tsar nevertheless made the appropriate choices to maintain the unity of the kingdom. Like Ivan, Charles was not always under the influence of his mental disability. During his 42