Unit 2: The Rise of the Nation State
I. Changing Times:
A. Europe transforming from small scattered kingdoms to
larger centralized powers.
1. Result of the downfall of Feudalism through
the plague, the Renaissance, and the Reformation.
2. Wars (100 years war, War of the Roses) helped to
consolidate powers.
B. Scientific Discovery and Inquiry boom during and after the
Renaissance.
1. Copernicus challenges ancient astronomy with
introduction of the “heliocentric” or sun centered model
of the universe.
Name
Birth /
Death
Nicolaus Copernicus
2/19/1473 to
5/24/1543
First astronomer to formulate a scientifically based heliocentric
cosmology that displace Earth from the center of the universe.
(catholic cleric)
Copernican Revolution
Johannes Kepler
12/27/1571 to
11/15/1630
Mathematician, astronomer, inventor- studied life and death of
stars- questioned the unchangeable perfection of the heavensinvented an improved the refracting telescope.
Dying Stars
Galileo Galilei
2/15/1564 to
1/08/1642
Father Science
Francis Bacon
1/22/1561 to
4/9/1626
Physicist, astronomer, “Father of Modern Science.” Studied
motion of uniformly accelerated objects, discovered moons of
Venus and sunspots- reaffirmed heliocentric universe- Spanish
Inquisition labeled heretic
Catalyst of scientific revolution. Wrote that “printing,
gunpowder, and the compass” would change the world- founder
of the scientific method.
Rene Descartes
3/31/1596 to
2/11/1650
Founder of modern Philosophy- “I think, therefore, I am”
Wrote “Passions of the Soul” on emotions –also worked in
mathematics combining algebra and geometry
Modern philosophy
Andreas Vesalius
12/31/1514 to
10/15/1564
Anatomist, physician; founder of modern human anatomy.
Published “The Fabric of the human body” were he painstakingly
mapped the vernacular system.
Modern Medicine
1/4/1643 to
3/31/1727
Physicist, mathematician: described universal gravitation and
laws of motion, laying groundwork for classical mechanics and
scientific universe-removed doubt about heliocentrism.
Law Gravity
1024/1632 to
8/30/1732
Scientist, “Father of Microbiology” invented modern microscopefirst to identify single celled organisms. Created over 200
microscopes.
Microbiology
1510 to
12/20/1590
Surgeon, “father of surgery” leader in battlefield medicineInvented cauterization of arteries and documented phycosis of
“phantom pain”. –Obstetrics – Podalic version to save unborn
child.
Administered the first human blood transfusion saving a 15 year
old boy with nine ounces of lamb’s blood
Surgery
Isaac Newton
Anton van Leeuwenhoek
Ambroise Pare
Jean-Baptiste Denys
1640 to 1704
Contribution/ Invention
One or Two words
That summarizes
importance
Scientific Method
Blood Transfusion
2. Galileo: developed an astronomical telescope: supported
the “heliocentric” universe. Tried before the Inquisition
for his “heresies” challenging the traditional Christian
“earth centered” model of the universe.
3. Changes in scientific thought and inventions paved the way for
exploration of the physical universe and discovery of new lands –
forever changing the medieval mindset for a new age.
C. Exploration: Changes traditional world views.
1. European explorers of the 1400’s began a dramatic new
age of exploration – spurred on by motivation for trade
and wealth.
2. Portuguese explorers such as Prince Henry and Vasco da Gamma
mapped the coasts of Africa and found routes to India, opening the
way for trade and slavery.
3. Columbus sails West in 1492 and discovers previously unknown
continents to Europeans opening way for discovery and
colonization.
4. More accurate maps, a better compass, and the use of astrolabesan astronomical tool – helped exploration circumnavigate the
globe.
II. The Rise of the Nation State:
A. Changing world necessitates changing ruling order:
1. Exploration opened the door for new lands and riches previously
unknown in Europe in the centuries before the 1400 and 1500’s.
2. Necessitated the rise of new governmental regimes to make
decisions on a broad base both at home and abroad.
3. Feudalism was gone and strong central powers governing a unified
country known as a “Nation State” was the new ruling order.
4.“Absolutism” – meaning complete authority over the government
and people - was exercised by the monarchs of the age was the new
ruling order.
Click on Square to show clip on
“The Nation State”
B. What is Absolutism?
1. Monarch: Form of government where power is lodged
with an individual, who is head of state, often for
life.
2. Divine Right: Absolute Monarchs believed that God
had appointed them to rule.
3. Autocracy: The opposite of “Democracy: were people
have a voice”; Power lies in the hands of a few, and
the people have no power.
C. Absolute Monarchs arrive:
1. Hapsburg Empire dissolves: Charles V, trying to rule the remnants
of the Holy Roman empire, exhausted from war and trying to rule
the vast empire abdicates thrown and enters a monastery.
“Versailles”
2. Empire is divided between his brother Ferdinand; who would rule
what became known as the Austrian Empire; and his son Phillip II,
who would rule Spain.
3. Phillip II rules Spain for 42 years with the help of silver and gold
from colonies in the Americas making Spain the foremost power in
Europe.
“Sun King”
4. Queen Elizabeth I: ruled for 45 years and in 1588 defeated the
Spanish Armada (130 ships and 20,000 men sent to destroy the
Protestant Queen) making England the prominent power in Europe
for the next 200 years.
5. Louis XIV: rises to power in France at the age of 5, believed in his
divine right to rule; stating “I am the State.” Built Versailles palace
as a symbol of his power; ruled for 72 years.
http://www.etss.edu/hts/hts3/info1.htm
III. Absolutism’s Legacy
A. Absolute leaders became icons of a Nation States image of itself – Through
controlling all aspects of government.
B. Rulers maintaining power for long periods of time provided stability and
direction for these nation states.
C. After more than two centuries of Absolute rulers, in an age of changing
ideas in science and philosophy, rulers begin to overstep their support.
Quote: “The state of Monarchy is the supremest thing upon earth; for kings are not only God’s lieutenants upon earth and sit upon God’s
throne, but even by God himself they are called gods …Kings are justly called gods for that they exercise a manner or resemblance of Divine
power upon earth… And to the King is due both the affection of the soul and the service of the body of his subjects.” -James I: King of England
1603
D. The enlightenment brought about new ideas of human rights, and thought
and would spell the end of “Absolutism”, but the continuation of the Nation
State under more representative governments.
Flow chart:
Middle Ages:
Renaissance:
Expand in each box a brief
explanation of what they were:
Reformation:
Scientific
Revolution:
Age of
Exploration:
Rise of the Nation
State: