Absolutism & Power in Government
World History – 9th Grade
Resources:
James I, True Law of Free Monarchies:
http://www.thenagain.info/Classes/Sources/JamesI.html
Philippe du Plessis-Mornay, Defense of Liberty Against
Tyrants: http://www.constitution.org/vct/vindiciae3b.htm
Materials:
Reading Like a Historian’s
“Historical Reading Skills”:
http://sheg.stanford.edu/uploa
d/Lessons/Historical%20Thin
king%20Posters/HT%20Skill
s%20chart.pdf
Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan:
http://www.thenagain.info/Classes/Sources/Hobbes.html
Common Core State Standards:
RH.9-10.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text,
including vocabulary describing political, social, or economic aspects of history/social
studies.
RH.9-10.9 Compare and contrast treatments of the same topic in several primary and
secondary sources.
WHST.9-10.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for reflection and
revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of
discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
Essential Question(s):
 How much power and authority should a leader have in government? Why?
Step 1
Closely read the excerpt of the True Law of Free Monarchies by James I. As you read,
answer the Reading Like a Historian Close Reading Questions:
 What claims does the author make?
 What evidence does the author use to support those claims?
 How does this document make me feel?
 What words or phrase does the author use to convince me that he/she is right?
Think-Pair-Share – Answer this question on your own first, then discuss it with a partner,
then share with the whole group: How would the author answer the essential question?
Step 2
Closely read the first two paragraphs of the excerpt of the Defense of Liberty Against
Tyrants by Philippe du Plessis-Mornay. As you read, answer the Reading Like a
Historian Close Reading Questions:
 What claims does the author make?
 What evidence does the author use to support those claims?
 How does this document make me feel?
 What words or phrase does the author use to convince me that he/she is right?
Think-Pair-Share – Answer this question on your own first, then discuss it with a partner,
then share with the whole group: How would the author answer the essential question?
Step 3
Closely read the excerpt of the Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes. As you read, answer the
Reading Like a Historian Close Reading Questions:
 What claims does the author make?
 What evidence does the author use to support those claims?
 How does this document make me feel?
 What words or phrase does the author use to convince me that he/she is right?
Think-Pair-Share – Answer this question on your own first, then discuss it with a partner,
then share with the whole group: How would the author answer the essential question?
Step 4
Write a RAFT paper explaining your own answer to the essential question to a group of
people who are trying to create a new nation. Use textual evidence from the sources to
support your argument.
 Role: a United States citizen
 Audience: People drafting a constitution for their new nation
 Format: Letter
 Topic: How much power and authority should a leader have in government? Why?