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
9/23 Reformation MC
1. Finish documents from class today and be prepared to discuss the prompt
provided for class on BLOCK Turn this in with your HW for the unit
9/24- Intro to Absolutism
Read pp. 516-522
25
2. Define the Fronde and explain how the Fronde challenged the absolutism
of Louis XIV
3. 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)
9/26 Louis XIV: The model of
p. 522-524
absolutism
4. 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: Nobility in
France
5. This is a chart. Use the reading “English Civil War” to fill in the handout:
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.
6. For POV practice, write a POV statement about the print on p. 525. You get
some clues as to the author’s POV from the print and from the caption. You can
write this on the back of your chart
9/30
France vs. England
Continue filling in Absolutism vs. Constitutionalism Chart
10/12
10/3
DBQ
JUST READ p. 532-535 to understand Constitutionalism in the Dutch Republic
England contd.
Constitutionalism in the
Dutch Republic
JUST READ the inset on p. 508 about Rubens and Rembrandt and JUST READ
the “Varieties of Artistic Style” section on p. 540 in order to learn about Baroque
Art
10/6
Baroque Art: Art of the
Age of Absolutism
10/7
Back to absolutism: Russia
case study
10/89
Absolutism in Austria and
Prussia
10/1
0
Wrap up Activity: How has
the monarchy changed?
How will it change in future
p. 539-540
JUST READ to introduce yourself to Russian Absolutism, serfdom and Tsar
Alexei
p. 571-575
7. a) Give detail on Peter the Great’s policies and explain in what ways they
affected Russia
b) Write a POV statement for the painting on p. 573
p.535-538
8. Describe the differences between Absolutism in Austria, Prussia and the
Ottoman Empire. Keep in mind the monarch’s relationship with the nobility
Study for MC Test
10/1
3
units?
Test: MC only
Key Terms – know what these are and their significance to the time period.
Absolutism
constitutionalism
Louis XIV
Versailles
Bureaucracy
Wars of Louis XIV
Levellers
English Civil War
Charles II
Glorious Revolution
English Bill of Rights
Social Contract Theory
Dutch Republic
Spinoza
Cossack
Frederick William
Serfdom
Absolutism in Russia
Modernization of Russia
Mercantilism
Edict of Nantes
Charles I
Oliver Cromwell
James II
Hobbes
rise of slave trade
Leopold I
Absolutism in Austria
In this unit you will have your first DBQ. More information to come.
Fronde
Revocation of Edict of Nantes
Puritans
Restoration of Monarchy
William and Mary
Locke
free veto
Peter the Great
Absolutism in Prussia
NOTES AND COPY FOR ME
**Homework is due the day after it is assigned. Questions are collected on the day of the test.**
Date Topic
9/25 Intro to Absolutism – overarching question on is the king above the law etc. – how is power maintained.
What is an absolute monarch? Use DBQ docs (Charles I, Peter the G, Louis XIV)
9/26 FRQ - Reformation
Lecture on Louis XIV – mini “tour” of Versailles
9/28 Sub day: England/France chart – use McKay
10/1 Debrief on France.
Continue England – Start Cromwell clips
10/2 Debrief on Hobbes/Locke HW question – tie in with France and England
Dutch – use comic and discuss HW
Introduce FRQ guidelines (??? or do this closer to test)
10/3 Art Activity
Start Eastern Absolutism - CHART
10/5
Review Prussia, Austria
Russia – Peter the Great clips
10/8
Compare/Contrast E v. W – warm up
Continue with “Wanted/Hero” poster/commercial activity
Continue poster/commercial wrap up activity
Test: MC and FRQ
10/9
10/1
0