Age of Absolutism Unit Project Chapters 17

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1 Age of Absolutism Unit Project Chapters 17 Objective: Acquisition of historical knowledge as it pertains to modern European history during The Age of Absolutism will be the primary focus of this unit project. Students will identify, describe, explain, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate content dealing with European monarchs within the context of principle theme categories in modern European history. Tasks: The students will research the nine following monarchs and create a project for presentation: Holy Roman Empire Charles V of the Hapsburg Dynasty p Spain - Philip II of the Hapsburg Dynasty p France Louis XIV of the Bourbon Dynasty p England The Early Stuarts- James I and Charles I p The Restorations Stuarts -Charles II ands James II p Austria - Maria Theresa of the Habsburg Dynasty p Prussia Frederick II (the Great) of the Hohenzollern Dynasty p Russia - Peter I (the Great) of the Romanov Dynasty p Catherine II (the Great) Romanov Dynasty p Absolutism in Europe was a theory of kingship whereby the monarch ruled a centralized state with absolute sovereignty. Possessing unlimited power, he was not subject to any laws but those of God. Absolutism prevailed from the 15th century to the end of the 18th century and was often used as a unifying force in the consolidation of nation-states. Today, an absolute monarch would be known as a dictator. The theoretical justification for absolutism was derived from various sources and traditions, including the Bible and the practices of ancient civilizations. Above all, two influential figures validated absolutism in the 17th century. In France, Bishop Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet affirmed that absolute power could be justified through the divine right of kings to rule an authority given to monarchs directly by God. Since the monarch was God's representative on Earth, his decisions became law without any accountability. In other words, whoever challenged the monarch was challenging God. Political theorist Thomas Hobbes of England, on the other hand, justified absolutism politically rather than religiously. In Leviathan (1651), Hobbes wrote that absolute monarchy was the only system of government capable of maintaining order among the unruly masses. Practical considerations also accounted for absolutism. After the calamitous 14th century, people were ready to accept a strong monarch, especially if he restored order from chaos. The Protestant Reformation contributed to absolutism as well. Papal influence had weakened in many states, and secular affairs needed guidance from a powerful ruler. To establish order and control, monarchs required a bureaucracy, which in turn helped to maintain central authority. Bureaucrats were responsible for collecting taxes, enforcing laws and royal decrees, and gathering information. With the taxes collected by bureaucrats, monarchs could establish large, standing armies, which further consolidated their power. In addition, 15th-century mercantile policies, which produced unimaginable wealth, contributed to the rise of absolutism. The mercantile notion of a national, self-sufficient economy stimulated production and generated surpluses. To maintain that prosperity, monarchs regulated all aspects of economy and industry and built navies to protect their trade. Day One (11/29) 1. Introduction to Absolutism. 2. Monarch/Group assignments. Read the textbook pages covering your monarch and take TWO COLUMN notes or outline the section. Days Two & Three (11/30-12/1) 1. Introduction to the major themes in European history. A chart is provided below. 2. Research your monarch according to the principle themes of European history using the ABC- Clio documents. 3. Summarize the historical significance (impact, legacy on history) of the monarch in one Example: Alexander was only 26 when he became king of Macedonia in 336 B.C. Although he

2 ruled for only 12 years and 8 months, he had a profound impact upon history. His conquests ended the era of independent Greek city-states. As he and his army marched through the Persian empire, thousands of Greek artists, merchants, and officials followed and settled there. They built new cities containing temples, gymnasiums, and theaters. As time passed, Greek settlers married Persian women and adopted Persian ways. A vibrant new culture called Hellenism emerged from the blend of Greek and eastern customs. He is remembered in history as Alexander the Great. Homework Collect materials needed for construction of your group s monarch poster board and bring them to class. Day Three-Four (12/2& 6) 1. Create your poster project and plan your presentation Things to include in the poster (see rubric for point value): - Title with a short catch phrase about the monarch - Large center image - Supporting images that illustrate some of the content of each theme. - Informational text based on the three principle themes. - Creativity, make it a work of art! Colors, shapes, designs, borders etc. - The historical significance (impact, legacy on history) of the monarch: one - A timeline of the Top Ten most important things to know about the monarch s reign (Date of birth and death not acceptable, this will be placed elsewhere on your final poster.) - Compose a Bio poem about your monarch to be read during the presentation. Day Five & Six (12/7-8) 1. Monarch Presentations

3 Absolute Monarch Research The age of absolute monarchs brought many social and political changes to the people and the map of Europe form 1500 to Kings and queens of Europe and Russia wielded absolute power over their subjects. Sometimes their rule brought benefits to the societies they ruled, but often this was at the expense of hardships to some groups. Use the following guide as you research the actions, policies and personal objectives of an absolute monarch. 2. Monarch s Country: 3. Date of Birth and Death: 4. Dates of Reign: 5. Historical events in the rise of the monarch (3): 6. Historical events in fall of the monarch (3): 7. Identify three major problems/challenges faced by the monarch: 8. Identify three major accomplishments faced by the monarch: 9. Identify the political achievements of the monarch (3): 10. Identify the religious policy of the monarch: 11. Identify the military successes and/or failures of the monarch (3): 12. Explain the monarch s domestic policy: 13. Explain the monarch s foreign policy: 14. What were some of the innovations during the monarch s reign (3): 15. What was the state of the country after the monarch s reign: 16. Explain the economy of the monarch (include the currency, what items traded, & countries they traded with): 17. Make a value judgment based on the facts. Did the monarch rule for the benefit of the people or at the expense of the people? As always, back up your judgment with historical facts in one 18. Summarize the historical significance (impact, legacy on history) of the monarch in one

4 The following theme topic outline is provided to guide your research: 1. Intellectual and Cultural History Changes in religious thought and institutions Secularization of learning and culture Scientific and technological developments and their consequences Major trend in literature and the arts Intellectual and cultural developments and their relationship to social values and political events Developments in social, economic and political thought, including ideologies characterized as -isms, such as socialism, liberalism, and nationalism Developments in literacy, education, and communication The diffusion of new intellectual concepts among different social groups Changes in elite and popular culture, such as the developments of new attitudes towards religion, the family, work, and ritual Impact of global expansion on European culture 2. Political and Diplomatic History The rise and functioning of the modern state in its various forms Relations between Europe and other parts of the world: colonialism, imperialism, decolonization, and global interdependence The evolution of political elites and the development of political parties, ideologies, and other forms of mass politics The extension and limitations of rights and liberties (personal, civic, economic, and political); majority and minority political persecutions The growth and changing forms of nationalism Forms of political protest, reforms, and revolutions Relationship between domestic and foreign policy Efforts to restrain conflict: treaties, balance-of-power diplomacy, and international organizations War and civil conflict: origins, developments, technology, and their consequences 3. Social and Economic History The character of and changes in agricultural production and organization The role of urbanization in transforming cultural values and social relationships The shift in social structures from hierarchical orders to modern social classes: the changing distribution of wealth and poverty The influence of sanitation and health care practices on society; food supply, diet, famine, disease, and their impact The development of commercial practices, patterns of mass production and consumption, and their economic and social impact Changing definitions of and attitudes towards social groups, classes, races, and ethnicities within and outside Europe The origins, development, and consequences in industrialization Changes in demographic structure and reproductive patterns of Europeans: causes and consequences Gender roles and their influence on work, social structure, family structure, and interest group formation The growth of competition and interdependence in national and world markets Private and state roles in economic activity

5 Monarch Presentation Notes (10 points each for a possible 80 points) 2. Country(s) ruled 3. Three Achievements (3 points) (Political, Diplomatic, Economic, Social, Cultural, and/or Intellectual) 4. One Failure 5. Evaluate: On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the highest how would you rate the significance of this monarch and his/her reign? * Explain the rating with specific evidence and detail. (4 points) 2. Country(s) ruled 3. Three Achievements (3 points) (Intellectual, Cultural, Political, Diplomatic, Economic, and/or Social) 4. One Failure 5. Evaluate: On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the highest how would you rate the significance of this monarch and his/her reign? * Explain the rating with specific evidence and detail. (4 points)