Unit prompt
Unit:
From Absolutism to Freedom
Purpose: One Big Idea
The development of individual freedoms during the age of the renaissance and the discovery of new cultures
and philosophies around the world urged scholars to ask questions about human existence on Earth.
Questioning science prompted the questioning of the political establishment leading to a new wave of
philosophies that encouraged the growth of personal freedoms.
Social Studies Standard
SS-HS-1.1.1 Students will compare and contrast
(purposes, sources of power) various forms of
government in the world (e.g., monarchy, democracy,
republic, dictatorship) and evaluate how effective they
have been in establishing order, providing security and
accomplishing common goals.
SS-HS-5.3.2 Students will explain and give examples of
how new ideas and technologies led to an Age of
Exploration by Europeans that brought great wealth to
the absolute monarchies and caused significant political,
economic and social changes (disease, religious ideas,
technologies, new plants/animals, forms of government)
to the other regions of the world.
Relationship to Unit
The strengthening of the monarch in Europe, a
declining economy in France, and a Russia that is still
under the rule of the Mongol Horde, people of
Europe were searching for a new way of life in which
they determined their own fate. However, a free
society was not a society sought by the upper class
which stood firm in its belief that a free government
would lead to a corrupt society.
The age of the renaissance was dominated by
absolute rulers’ who’s right to the throne came
directly from God. However, the discovery new
sciences urged scholars to question the old political
system leading to the development of new types of
governments.
SS-HS-5.1.1 Students will use a variety of tools (e.g.,
The use of primary and secondary sources help
students gain a real life perspective on how the past
primary and secondary sources, data, artifacts) to
analyze perceptions and perspectives (e.g., gender, race, is connected to the present.
region, ethnic group, nationality, age, economic status,
religion, politics, geographic factors) of people and
historical events in the modern world (1500 A.D. to
present) and United States History (Reconstruction to
present).
SS-HS-5.1.2 Students will analyze how history is a series
of connected events shaped by multiple cause and
effect relationships, tying past to present.
The power of the monarch increased, many Kings
and Queens sought to strengthen their power
leading to merchant scholars to question the
legitimacy of the crown. Once this question surfaced
it grew into a middle class movement that led to the
birth of the United States, the collapse of the French
Monarchy, and the development of constitutional
Monarchies.
Lesson Title
Absolute Monarchy
Main Ideas
1. The origins of Absolute Monarchy
2. The growth of Central European kingdoms
3. The differences between Russia and the rest of
Western Europe
Scientific Revolution
1. Circumstances leading to the scientific revolution
2. The importance of the heliocentric theory
3. The connection between politics, religion, and
science.
1. Enlightenment philosophers and their impact on
global society, economic, and government
2. Impact of women on the enlightenment
3. The effect of art and literature on society
Age of Change
American Revolution
1. The American Enlightenment
2. Creating a republic
3. The impact of the American Revolution around
the world
Lesson Title
Absolute Monarchy
Quiz
10 Questions
Points
10
Scientific Revolution
10 Questions
10
Age of Change
10 Questions
10
American Revolution
10 Questions
10
Assessments
Formative (quizzes, worksheets, ect)
Summative (Unit Exam)
ACT Preparation Reading Assignments
Total:
Points
150
50
20
220
Homework
Daily sheet/ Absolute Monarch
Project
Daily Sheet/ Reading
Guide/Experiment
Daily Sheet/ Reading
Guide/Philosophers
Daily Sheet/ Reading Guide/Time
Line
Points
20
10
70
10
World Civilization Daily Sheet
Unit:
From Absolutism to Freedom
Lesson:
American Revolution
Section:
Pages:
Date:
Purpose of the Lesson:
The ideas of the enlightenment did not confine themselves to Europe. The enlightenment was quickly became a global
movement spreading across the Atlantic into the New World. American businessmen, scholars, and government leaders
eager to rid themselves of tyranny from the British Crown sought solutions separate from the rule of England through
peaceful measures. However, King George refused such a secession leading to a rebellion in the New England colonies.
The success of the American Revolution brought on a change encouraging colonials across the glob to seek
independence.
Objectives:
1. Analyze the development of the American Enlightenment
2. Describe how the forefathers went about creating a republic
3. Describe the impact of the American Revolution around the world
I Can . . .
Describe how the Scientific Revolution influenced the
Answer the I can as if it were a question
American Revolution.
Explain how the Declaration of Independence
represented Enlightenment ideas.
Describe the cause and effects of the American
Revolution
Essential Question – Answer in no less than 3 sentences
How does the U.S. constitution reflect the ideas of the Enlightenment?
Terms
Declaration of Independence
Definition /Significance/ Date
Date:
Definition:
Significance
Thomas Jefferson
Date:
Definition:
Significance:
Checks and Balances
Date:
Definition:
Significance:
Federal System
Date:
Definition:
Significance:
Bill of Rights
Date:
Definition:
Significance:
Procedure:
Day 1
1. Fill out the daily sheet then begin reading the assigned pages while attendance is taken.
2. Class discussion on the objectives and I can statements: How do you think they are related to each other?
3. Class lecture/discussion and the importance of the American Revolution
4. Discuss possible answers to the Essential Question
5. Class work/Homework – I can Statements, Vocabulary
Day 2
1. Discuss the ‘I can” Statements and their relationship to the objectives.
2. Work on American Revolution Leaders Chart
3. Complete reading Guide
Day 3
1. Check off work from Lesson 4
2. Lesson Quiz
3. ACT preparation Reading assignment
Assignments:
Points
Daily Sheet
Reading Guide /Chart
Lesson Quiz
ACT Preparation Reading Assignment
5
15
10
5
Due Date
Founders of the American Revolution
Prompt:
The founding fathers of the United States were men of the enlightenment. They sought to create a
nation in which the people establish the government, controlled the government, and were free from
the government. Each of the founders had their own belief of what the United States should be but
they all had the same goal; a government for the people and by the people.
Directions
Fill out the chart using complete sentences for each of the founding fathers listed.
Rubric:
In order to get credit for this assignment you must answer each question for each of the founding
fathers listed in the chart. The chart must be filled out using complete sentences.
Founding Fathers information chart
Name of founding father
What contributions did this person give to the American Revolution? (Must
discuss 3)
Thomas Jefferson
1.
2.
3.
Benjamin Franklin
1.
2.
3.
John Adams
1.
2.
3.
Thomas Paine
1.
2.
3.
James Madison
1.
2.
3.
Alexander Hamilton
1.
2.
3.
George Washington
1.
2.
3.
John Hancock
1.
2.
3.
Reading Guide: American Revolution
Directions: Answer all questions in sentence form
1. List and explain 3 problems the colonist faced in shaping their republic.
a.
b.
c.
2. How did the French and Indian War lead to the Stamp Act?
3. How did John Locke’s notion of the social contract influence the American Colonist?
4. What was the main cause of the nation’s problems under the Article of Confederation?
5. Why did the founding Fathers believe it was important to have a Bill of Rights?
6. What were the opposing views regarding ratification of the constitution?