Unit 3 Assignments
Unit 3: Absolutism and Constitutionalism
Read:
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Chapter 16: Absolutism and Constitutionalism in Western Europe
Chapter 17: Absolutism in eastern Europe
CHAPTER 16 
Due dates:
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# 1 to 4 due Friday, Sept. 27
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# 5 to 10 due Monday, Sept. 30
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# 6 to 9 due Friday, Oct. 4
Absolutism and Constitutionalism in Western Europe (ca 1589-1715)
discussion questions:
1. Discuss the factors that led to the transition from feudalism to absolutism in Western
Europe in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
2. Outline how Louis XIV collaborated with the French nobility and kept them under
control.
3. Summarize Louis’s tax policies and his religious policies.
4. Identify and describe the limits of absolutist monarchies in Europe in the seventeenth and
eighteenth centuries and what differentiates them from twentieth century totalitarian
regimes.
5. Summarize the struggle between English monarchs and Parliament and briefly outline the
issues at stake, both religious and tax related.
6. Explain briefly the importance of the Glorious Revolution of 1688 for later English (and
American) governments and link that “revolution” to John Locke’s contract theory of
government.
7. How did the structure of British government change under the political leadership of
Robert Walpole? What were the chief sources of Walpole’s political strength?
8. By the end of the seventeenth century, England and France had different systems of
government with different religious policies. What were the main differences?
Similarities? Why did the nation develop as it did? How much did the particular
personalities of the rulers of each nation determine the manner in which their political
institutions emerged?
9. Outline Holland’s system of government and demonstrate some knowledge of Dutch
wealth and maritime power in the seventeenth century.
10. Explain why Britain and France remained leading powers in Western Europe while the
United Netherlands declined.
11. Read Individuals and Society (p. 557) and Listening to the Past (p. 562 – 563) answer
ALL the questions for analysis at the end of each section. Completely define the Key
Terms on page 559-560.
12. Primary Readings from Western Heritage (blue book) 
a. King James I Defends Popular Recreation Against the Puritans (p. 421)
b. Parliament Presents Charles I with the Petition of Right (p. 422)
c. John Milton Defends Freedom to Print Books (p. 427)
d. Bishop Bossuet Defends the Divine Right of Kings (p. 433)
e. Louis XIV’s Sister-in-law Grieves for Her Homeland (p.442)
CHAPTER 17
Due date Tuesday, Oct. 8
Absolutism in Eastern Europe to 1740 discussion questions
1. Compare absolutism in Western and Eastern Europe. Compare and contrast Louis XIV of
France (previous chapter), the “Great Elector,” Frederick William of Prussia and Peter
the Great of Russia.
2. Explain the development of absolutist states in Austria and Brandenburg-Prussia.
Compare and contrast the varying success with which the Hohenzollerns and Habsburgs
each handled their problems. Which family was more successful and why?
3. How and why did Russia emerge as a great power? Discuss the character and key
accomplishments of Peter of Great. What were Russia’s domestic problems before he
came to power? What were his methods of reform? To what extent did he succeed? How
were his reforms related to his military ambitions?
4. Why were Sweden and Poland less successful in handling their problems?
5. Discuss the significance of the Turkish invasion of Austria and Hungary for the
development of Habsburg absolutism and the development of serfdom in Eastern Europe
between 1450 and 1700.
6. Read Individuals and Society (p. 583) and Listening to the Past (p. 590 – 591) answer
ALL the questions for analysis at the end of each section. Completely define the Key
Terms on page 589.
7. Primary readings from Western Heritage (blue book):
a. The Great Elector Welcomes Protestant Refugees from France (p. 500)
b. Peter the Great Issues a Table of Ranks (p.504-505)
c. Peter the Great Tells His Son to Acquire Military Skills (p. 508)
Exam dates:
Essay  Thursday, Oct. 17
Multiple Choice  Friday, Oct. 18
Seminar/Essay Questions:
With a partner write a thesis paragraph and outline the following prompts. See the
Seminar rubric for all the requirements.
Note: The first two seminar prompts are review prompts from previous chapters:
Due: Monday, Sept. 30
1. Compare and contrast the Lutheran Reformation and the Catholic Reformation of the 16th
century regarding the reform of both religious doctrines and religious practices.
Due: Wednesday, Oct. 2
2. In 1490 there was no such country as Spain, yet within a century it had become the most
powerful nation in Europe and within another had sunk to the status of a third-rate power.
Describe and analyze the major social, economic, and political reasons for Spain’s rise and
fall.
Due: Friday, Oct. 4
3. Describe and analyze the changes in the role of Parliament in English politics between the
succession of James I and the Glorious Revolution.
Due: Tuesday, Oct. 8
4.
“By 1700 it had become evident that Western Europe and Eastern Europe were moving in
opposite directions in terms of their basic social structure.” Discuss.
Due: Wednesday, Oct. 9
5. Analyze the major ways through which Tsar Peter the Great sought to reform his society and
its institutions in order to strengthen Russia and its position in Europe.