Absolute Monarchy
• October 30-31, 2013
• Objective: Students will analyze
characteristics of an absolute monarchy
through text, written response and design.
• Warm-Up: Rephrase the question in your
answer.
“Why do people form governments?”
• Absolute Monarch: Unlimited power in the hands of the
King and his advisors. Power is not limited by
consulting nobles (upper class), common people, or
their representatives.
• Divine Right: The idea that monarchs receive power
directly from God and are accountable only to God for
their actions. This allowed monarchs to go
unchallenged by their subjects.
• Dynasty: A family governs a country based on the idea
that divine right is passed down from one generation to
the next.
Read “Absolute Monarchy” text. Use RACE to answer:
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages
of living under absolute rule?
2. How did absolutist rulers change life and
policy in their countries, both positively and
negatively?
Read “Louis XIV” text. Use RACE to answer:
3. What were the main political goals of Louis
XIV and how did he achieve them?
4. Explain how the policies of Louis XIV could
lead to national discontent.
• Throne Room
• Royal Bedroom
• Dining Hall / Feasting
Hall
• Ballroom / Great Hall
• Courtyard / Gardens
• Library
• Cells/Dungeon
• Servants quarters
• Parlor
• Pantry
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Guard Station/Barracks
Tower / Observatory
Kitchens
Chapel
Bathrooms
State rooms
Guest bedrooms
Wine cellar
Study/Office
Stables
How will you design your palace?
You are the monarch of a European nation. After a long
struggle, during which your life was in danger, you have
come into power. Now that you have the throne, you
want to be sure no one threatens you again. In addition,
you want everyone to believe that you are the greatest
ruler in Europe. You decide to build a palace that will
impress both your subjects and visitors to your kingdom.
How will you design your palace?
Your design must demonstrate the qualities and
traits common to an absolute monarch. What
features should the palace have? Include these in
your design.
works cited
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http://www.ltisdschools.org/cms/lib/TX21000349/Centricity/Domain/287/Chapter
21.pdf
http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/harrison2/unitplan.pdf