I am the State!
The Rise of Absolutism in Europe
Guiding Questions: Big and broad overview of unit themes

How do Absolutist governments emerge and how do these governments create states with “One Law, One King,
One Faith”?

Why does an absolute government rise in some areas, while a strong Constitutional Government is successful in
others?

Compare and contrast absolutism in Western and Eastern Europe – how do geographic and cultural differences
impact style of government?

What are the social, political, and economic changes that come to Europe as a result of absolutism?
**Homework is due the day after it is assigned. Questions are collected on the day of the test.**
Date
Topic
Homework- Reading Questions
9/22
Reformation MC/Intro to Finish documents from class today and be prepared to discuss the prompt provided
Absolutism
for class on BLOCK Turn this in with your Class Work for the unit
9/24Intro to Extended
Read pp. 516-522
25
Analysis in DBQs
Read and Answer questions using key ideas from the reading:
Absolutism Case Study:
1. Define the Fronde and explain how the Fronde challenged the absolutism
France
of Louis XIV
2. Absolutist rulers believe in One Law, One King, One Faith” – Explain
how Louis XIV controlled the government (bureaucracy), the economy,
the nobility and religion in France. (try making a four column chart and list
specifics)
9/28
Louis XIV: The Model of p. 522-524
Absolutism
Read and Answer questions using key ideas from the reading:
3. This section covers four of Louis XIV’s wars – take notes on the wars using a 4
column chart with the headings: “Name of War” “Players in War” “Why? Causes of
War” and “The Outcome”
9/29
How to DBQ: Scoring and 4. This is a chart. Use the reading “English Civil War” to fill in the handout:
Sample
Absolutism vs. Constitutionalism” If you need more information for clarity, this topic
can be found on pgs. 524-531 in your textbook. The chart will be collected with
your reading questions.
5. For practice, write an extended analysis statement about the print on p. 525.
Refer to your extended analysis chart. Make sure to read the caption for historical
background. You can write this on the back of your chart
9/3010/1
England’s Road to
Constitutionalism
Continue filling in Absolutism vs. Constitutionalism Chart
10/2
10/5
England continued
The Golden Age of the
Dutch Republic
JUST READ p. 532-535 to understand Constitutionalism in the Dutch Republic
p. 539-540 and p. 571-573
JUST READ to understand the policies of Peter the Great
6. Fill in Extended Analysis Practice Assignment. We will discuss in class and you
will turn in with your HW.
10/6
Back to absolutism: Russia
Case Study
p.535-538
7. Summarize the differences between Absolutism in Poland, Austria, Prussia and
the Ottoman Empire. Keep in mind the monarch’s relationship with the nobility
Review How to DBQ
10/7
10/8-9
10/12
Other absolutists: Prussia,
Austria and the Ottomans
DBQ
MC Test
Some Social History:
gender and social class
Review for MC Test
p.543-547
(This is HW to turn in next unit)
European Society divides into upper and lower classes during the 17th century.
Provide examples of how European beliefs about popular culture, religion, women
and poverty change during this time. (You can do this in list or column format )
10/13
Art and Society: The
Baroque Period
Key Terms – know what these are and their significance to the time period.
France
Fronde Louis XIV Cardinal Richelieu Cardinal Mazarin Louis’ relation with nobles Palace of Versailles
Revocation of Edict of Nantes Bureacracy
Colbert Mercantilism Wars of Louis XIV
England
Charles I
Power of the Purse
Puritans
Book of Common Prayer
Presbyterians in Scotland
English Civil War
Oliver Cromwell
Cavaliers/Roundheads Petition of Right
Thomas Hobbes
John Locke
Rump Parliament
Charles II
James II
Glorious Revolution/Bill of Rights
Dutch Republic
Economic Policies
Religious Policies
Political Organization
Russia
Power of the Orthodox Church Power of the Tsars
Serfdom
Navigation Acts
Peter the Great – policies
Austria
Problems with Empire War with Turks
Relation to Nobles
Prussia
Relation with nobles
Military Strength
Religious Policies
Ottoman Empire
Military Strength
Political Problems
Westernization of Russia
Leopold I
Poland/Lithuania
Free Veto
Nobles vs. King
How to Use Documents in a DBQ
Content of the Document: What is the document stating? How does the information connect to the prompt that you are
answering? This must be done with each of the documents that you use in the DBQ
Extended Analysis: Ways that analysis of a document can be extended beyond its connection to the prompt or topic.
Consider that all of this extended analysis is a way for you to question the reliability of the information within the
document and this must be done with at LEAST 4 of the documents you use.

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Intended Audience: Who is the document written for? Is it a speech? Is it a diary entry? How
might the audience have affected the reliability of the source/document?
Purpose of the Document: Why did the author create the document? Is this an official
government report?
Historical Context: Where and when was the document produced? What external events might
have affected the author’s viewpoint? How does context affect the reliability of the source?
Author’s Point of View: Who is the author? What is his/her place in society? What is his/her
occupation? How might knowing that help us understand why the author is making the
statement?
Some Long Run themes in the AP Euro Course that relate to this unit:
New theories of government that attempt to provide an explanation for human behavior.
The rise of monarchs and centralization of power.
Balance of power as a cause for war.