Units 5 - Absolute Rulers and European Enlightenment

This unit examines how nations turned to absolute monarchies in Spain, France, and Russia.  It also shows how the English Parliament resisted the formation of an absolute monarchy in the 17th century. Lastly, the unit will show how the European Enlightenment challenged the philosophy of absolutism.

Unit Homework & Assessments:

On 11/06: Unit 4: Exploration Essay (Motives or consequences of exploration) - 40 points
  • Due 11/12: Joannie Fischer, “Cardinal Knowledge: A Network of Spies …” U.S. News & Report, Feb. 2003. p. 51.  Annotate and margin notes. Who was Cardinal Richelieu? How did he strengthen the French Monarchy?
  • Due 11/14: Examine "A Day in the Life of the Sun King." Create a comic strip depicting the day to day schedule of Louis XIV  
  • On 11/15: Unit 5 Quiz #1 "Spanish and French Absolutism" (Multiple Choice, Matching, and a couple short answer questions) - 15 Points
  • Due 11/21:  Absolute Superhero Project (50 pts)
  • On 11/22: Unit 5 Quiz #2 "English Absolutism - Democracy" (15 pts)
  • On 12/09: Unit 5 Quiz #3 "Enlightenment" Quiz (Multiple Choice, Matching, and a couple short answer questions) - 20 Points

Unit 5 Calendar

Monday, November 4:
  • Main Focus: Introduction of Unit 5: Absolute Rulers in Spain
  • Unit 5 - Absolutism to Enlightenment Review Guide
  • Quick Check: Review of motives and consequences of European exploration
  • Introduction to Spanish Absolutism: Notes on Charles I and Philip II (Completion Notes) See also: Chapter 4.1 (142-146) "Spanish Absolutism"
  • Spanish Armada Video Clip
  • Introduce the Absolute Superhero Project (Due 11/21)
  • Ticket-to-Exit: How did Philip II attempt to increase the power and prestige of Spain in the 16th century? Name at least three ways.

Tuesday, November 5: 
  • Main Focus: The Spanish Armada and Queen Elizabeth
  • Quick Check:  Fill in the blank exercise using the following terms
    • ​Dutch Revolt, William the Silent, Treaty of Nonsuch, Philip II, Sir Francis Drake, El Greco, Miguel Cervantes, Siglo de Oro
  • Visual Analysis / Discussion: Elizabeth I, Armada Portrait
  • Jigsaw: Queen Elizabeth I's Speech to the Troops at Tilbury and Queen Elizabeth I's Spy Network.
  • Ticket to Exit: What do you see as most important about Elizabeth I's leadership and character? 

Wednesday, November 6:
  • Essay Test: Write an essay about exploration, 40 points.

Thursday, November 7 - Friday, November 8:
Monday, November 11 (Veterans Day):
  • Main Focus: French Absolutism
  • Quick Check: Treaty of Nonsuch, Babington Plot, "Protestant Winds", Sir Francis Drake, Sir Francis Wallsingham
  • Notes: Introduction to King Henry of Navarre and the French Wars of Religion. St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre and Edict of Nantes.
  • Homework: Joannie Fischer, “Cardinal Knowledge: A Network of Spies …” U.S. News & Report, Feb. 2003. p. 51.  Who was Cardinal Richelieu? How did he strengthen the French Monarchy? Due 11/12

Tuesday, November 12:
  • Main Focus: French Absolutism: Cardinal Richelieu
  • Quick Check: Who was Henry IV? How did he bring an end to religious strife in France?
  • Visual Analysis: Cardinal Richelieu Portraits.  Use the homework reading to provide the biographical background to Cardinal Richelieu.
  • Read and Discuss: Richelieu, “Political Will and Testament.” p. 202-203.  What advice does Cardinal Richelieu give to monarchs? How does his advice compare to the views of Machiavelli?
  • Ticket to Exit: How did Richelieu lay the foundation for French Absolutism?

Wednesday, November 13:
  • Main Focus: French Absolutism: Louis XIV
  • Quick Check: What are 3 pieces of advice that Richelieu gives to monarchs?
  • Examine Quote by Beninge Bossuet about Absolutism.
  • Introductory Notes on Louis XIV (See p. 148-152 Ellis Textbook) and an excerpt from Saint-Simon, “Memoires: The Aristocracy Undermined in France.” p. 217. (Sherman Textbook)
  • Examine "A Day in the Life of the Sun King." Create a comic strip depicting the day to day schedule of Louis XIV Due Thursday, 11/14

Thursday, November 14:
  • Main Focus: French Absolutism: Louis XIV
  • Quick Check: How did Louis XIV undermine the nobility? Give 3 examples.
  • Share Comic Strips "A Day In the Life of the Sun King"
  • Primary Source Round Robin Discussion: Primary Source Evaluations of Louis XIV Worksheet. 
  • Ticket-to-Exit: Based on the primary-source documents, what where Louis XIV's strengths? weaknesses?

Friday, November 15:
  • Quiz French and Spanish Absolutism
  • Absolute Superhero Work Time (lab 2221) 

Monday, November 18:
  • Main Focus: English Absolutism: Divine Right 
  • Notes: James I of England
  • Quick Check: What is divine absolutism? How did Louis XIV use this to justify his rule?
  • Read and discuss:  James I, "The Powers of the Monarch in England." p. 203 Who was James I? How does James justify the powers of the monarch?  What is the strength of his argument?  How do you think Parliament would respond to this speech?
  • Ticket to Exit: Write a potential response to King James by England's Parliament. Include counter arguments to key arguments contained in Jame I's speech. 

Tuesday, November 19:
  • Main Focus: English Absolutism: Thomas Hobbes
  • Introduce Thomas Hobbes: Picture Analysis on page 207-208 (Sherman)
  • Notes: Charles I through James II See p154-160. "English Absolutism" Charles I, English Civil War and the Restoration. 
  • Ticket to Exit: Who is Thomas Hobbes? What were his views on government?

Wednesday, November 20:
  • Main Focus: English Absolutism: The Glorious Revolution
  • Quick Check: Fill in the blank: Charles I, Oliver Cromwell, Roundheads, Cavaliers, Charles II, James II
  • Read and Discuss: English Bill of Rights. p. 162 (Ellis Book)
  • Introduce and discuss the enlightened ideas of John Locke (See page 187 Ellis
  • Ticket to Exit Activity: Identify 5 limits on government's power (or rights retained by the people)  Draw representations of each. 

Thursday, November 21:
  • Main Focus: Absolute SuperHero Project Due Absolute Superhero Project (50 pts)
  • Share Absolute Superhero Projects
  • Review Activity: Create an illustrated timeline of the Stuart Monarchs, including the ideas of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke

Friday, November 22:
  • Main Focus: Absolutism in Russia
  • Quiz #2: English Absolutism (10 points)
  • Notes: Absolutism in Russia - Peter the Great. (See p. 168-173)
  • Read and Discuss: Feofan Prokopovich, “The Great Czar.” (Handout)


Monday, November 25 - November 29: Thanksgiving Break

Monday, December 2:
  • Main Focus: Introduction to the Enlightenment
  • Monty Python's "Dennis the Peasant." 
  • Notes: Origins of the Enlightenment / Enlightenment Defined.
  • Read and Discuss: Immanuel Kant, “What is Enlightenment?” p. 40 (Sherman)

Tuesday, December 3:
  • Jigsaw: "The Philosophes" p. 184-186 (World History Textbook): Montesquieu, Voltaire, Diderot, Rousseau, Wollstonecraft, Adam Smith. 

Wednesday, December 4: 
Visual Analysis: Salon Portrait
Notes: How did Enlightenment Ideas Spread." See also Chapter 5.2 (World History Textbook) "Enlightenment Ideas Spread." p. 188-193.
Enlightened Despots: Read and Discuss: Frederick II, "Excerpt from the Forms of Government" AND Joseph II (Green Sherman Textbook)
Ticket to Exit: Write a paragraph that compares and contrasts the views of James I to Frederick II with respect to the role of monarch.

​Thursday, December 5: 
Notes: American Revolution Background (See Chapter 5.3 Ellis)
Activity: Note how the Enlightenment is reflected in the United States Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Friday, December 6: 
Review Activity: Identify each philosophe, his/her key beliefs and create a visual/sketch

Monday, December 9: 
Enlightenment Quiz (may have absolute rulers)

Tuesday, December 10 - 13: Final Review Days

Monday, December 16: Finals Week

Unit 5 Resources:


SirKEY NOTES:
HAND OUTS:
READINGS:  Unit 5 - Absolutism to Enlightenment Review Guide
  1. Ellis and Esler. World History: The Modern Era. Chapter 4 (Pages 140-174.); Chapter 5 (Pages 180-204)
  2. Morris, Holly J. “Be Afraid, Very Afraid.” US News & World Report. Jan. 27-Feb 3. 2003. p. 50.
    1. How did Elizabeth strengthen her power? What role did Sir Francis Walsingham play during Elizabeth’s reign? What was the Babington plot?
  3. Elizabeth I. “Speech to the Troops at Tilbury.” 11 Nov. 2008.
    1. What is the historical context behind this speech? What does it reveal about Queen Elizabeth’s character?
  4. Visual: Queen Elizabeth I. The Armada Portrait.
    1. What is revealed about Queen Elizabeth and her authority by this portrait? What is the importance of fine art in the development of absolute monarchies?
  5. Richelieu, “Political Will and Testament.” p. 202-03 (Sherman)
    1. Who was Cardinal Richelieu? How did he strengthen the French Monarchy? What advice does Cardinal Richelieu give to monarchs? How does his advice compare to the views of Machiavelli?
  6. Saint-Simon, “Memoires: The Aristocracy Undermined in France.” p. 217. (Sherman)
    1. How did the activities of King Louis XIV undermine the position of the nobility? What options were available for a noble who wanted to maintain or increase his own power?
  7. “An Evaluation of Louis XIV: Primary Sources” (Handout)
    1. How do these views contrast with Louis XIV’s descriptions of his life at Versailles and his manner of ruling? What were his strengths? Weaknesses?
  8. James I, “The Powers of the Monarch in England.” p. 203 (Sherman)
    1. How did James I justify the high position and vast powers he felt should rightly belong to kings? What limits are there to monarchial power? How would England’s Parliament respond to James I’s arguments?
  9. Thomas Hobbes, “Leviathan: Political Order and Political Theory.” p. 207-08 (Sherman)
    1. Why would men form such a commonwealth and why would they give up such power to the sovereign (ruler)? How does Hobbes’ argument compare with that of James I? Why might both those favoring more power for the House of Commons and those favoring increased monarchial power might criticize this argument?
  10. John Locke, “Two Treatise of Government.”  In Ellis and Esler. World History: The Modern Era. (p. 187)
    1. According to Locke, how should a land be governed? Why do you think this is the case? What does Locke say can happen if a government fails to protect the rights of its people? How does Locke’s views compare with that of Hobbes?
  11. The 1689 Bill of Rights – England in Ellis and Esler. World History: The Modern Era. p. 162
    1. What is the meaning of item 6 and why do you think it was included in the Bill of Rights? Why do you think the members of Parliament included item 9? Why do you think this item might have been important? How does this document compare with the US Bill of Rights which comes later?
  12. Viewpoints: Empress Maria Theresa (Handout)
    1. What character traits of Maria Theresa do both historians see as valuable? In general, what do both historians see as the effects of Maria Theresa’s reign for the Hapsburg monarchy?
  13. Frederick II (1740-1786): Essay on the Forms of Government (Handout)
    1. What is the role of the sovereign according to Frederick II? How does his views of government contrast with those of James I or Louis XIV? How are his views influenced by the Enlightenment?
  14. Immanuel Kant, “What is Enlightenment?” p. 40 (Sherman Volume II – Green cover)
    1. How does Kant define Enlightenment? What is requisite for people to become enlightened? To what extent does he consider his own era a time of enlightenment?

VIDEO RESOURCES:
  • Days that Changed the World: The Spanish Armada-BBC Documentary Clip (12 min)

TERMS:
In addition to knowing the definition of the following terms (who, what, where, when), know the why it is important to the story of this unit? How are the terms related or connected to the bigger story?

Ch 4.1 (142-146)
Absolutism
Divine Right of Kings
 Philip II of Spain
Elizabeth I
Battle of Lepanto
Sir Francis Drake
Treaty of Nonsuch
Babington Plot
“Protestant Winds”
Spanish Armada
Siglo de Oro
Miguel Cervantes
El Greco

Ch 4.2 (148-152)
Huguenots
Henry IV (Henry of Navarre)
St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre
Edict of Nantes
Cardinal Richelieu
La Fronde
Louis XIV
Beninge Bossuet
“I am the State.”
Cardinal Mazarin
Versailles
Jean-Baptiste Colbert

Ch 4.3 (154-160)
James I
Charles I
Oliver Cromwell
New Model Army
Petition of Right
Roundheads
Cavaliers
English Civil War
Thomas Hobbes
Charles II & James II
William III and Mary II
Glorious Revolution
English Bill of Rights
  
Ch 4.5 (168-173)
Peter the Great
St. Petersburg
Table of Ranks 

Chapter 5 (Pages 180-204
Philosophe
Natural Law
Immanuel Kant
Thomas Hobbes
John Locke
Natural Rights
Social Contract
Denis Diderot
Voltaire
Mary Wollstonecraft
Mary Astell
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Baron de Montesquieu
Cesare Beccaria
Adam Smith
Laissez-Faire
Encyclopedia
Salons
Enlightened Despots
Frederick II – The Great
Joseph II
George III
Stamp Act
George Washington
Popular Sovereignty
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Paine
James Madison
Benjamin Franklin



ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
  1. ​What is absolutism? Was absolute monarchy an effective system? Was divine right of kings a valid basis for rule? (Chapter 4 p.141-175; Documents E, G, H, I, J, M, N)
  2. How did Philip II extend Spain’s power and help establish a golden age? How is the struggle between Spain and England during the 16th century tied to religion? What contributed to the decline of Spain as a world power? (Chapter 4.1 p141-146 Documents B, C, D)
  3. Why is Louis XIV considered by many historians to be the model absolute ruler of the seventeenth century?  List the ways Louis consolidated and grew the power his monarchy? Which way was most effective? What policies had unintended consequences that weakened France? (Chapter 4.2 p148-152, Documents F, G)
  4. Identify and discuss the causes, participants, and outcome of the English Civil War. (Chapter 4.3 p154-162, Documents H, I, J, K)
  5. How and why did Russia emerge as a great power? Contrast Peter the Great to Louis XIV. (Chapter 4.5 p168-173)
  6. What is the Enlightenment? Based on the ideas of the thinkers, what are the natural rights of the people? Whose role is it to secure those rights? What is the role of government? How did the ideas of the Enlightenment spread? (Chapter 5.1-5.2 181-193, Documents J, N)
  7. Describe how beliefs about people and government during the Enlightenment are reflected in the United States Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. (Chapter 5.3 p195-201, 204)