Absolutism and Democracy DBQ
Document 1 (Machiavelli)
• Question: According to Machiavelli, what type
of ruler must the prince be? Why is it
necessary for him to rule in this manner?
• Answer: Rulers need to be strict and to be
feared because people in general are
untrustworthy. People should fear rather than
love their ruler in order to maintain control
Document 2 (King James I)
• Question: What type of government does King
James describe? Why does he believe it
should be organized in this way?
• Answer: Absolute Monarchy. King James I
believes in the divine right to rule of kings. He
feels he is God’s representative on Earth, and
there are no limitations to his power.
Document 3 (King Louis XIV)
• Question: What type of government does King
Louis describe? Why does he recommend this
type of government?
• Answer: Absolute Monarchy. He recommends
this because it is easier for 1 person to rule
and make decisions. It is in the best interest of
the state for the king to have all the power.
Document 4 (Voltaire)
• Question: What type of government does
Voltaire recommend? What specific freedom
does he feel is essential?
• Answer: Democracy. Freedom of Speech is
essential.
Document 5 (Locke)
• Question: Why is government established,
according to Locke? What type of government
does Locke describe? Under what
circumstances can the people revolt?
• Answer: Governments are established to
protect people’s natural rights(life, liberty,
property). He describes a Democracy. People
can revolt if the government is taking
away/not protecting their natural rights.
Document 6 (Montesquieu)
• Question: What type of government does
Montesquieu describe? Why does he believe
it should be organized in this way?
• Answer: Democracy. He stresses the
importance of dividing power so that no one
branch or person has all the power(absolute
monarchy). He created the idea of “checks
and balances” and branches of government.
Final Question
• What form of government was most
effective—democracy or absolutism—for the
seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in
Europe?
– Must use at least 3 documents
– Paragraph form
– You may incorporate outside information
Thesis Writing
• Your argument/answer to the question
• Must be clear, concise, and well written
• Write your thesis now-be prepared to share
Outline Writing
I.
Introduction
I.
II.
III.
II.
Attention grabber
Background Information
Thesis
Body Paragraph One
I.
II.
III.
Topic Sentence
Documents?
Body Paragraph Two
I.
II.
IV.
Topic Sentence
Documents?
Body Paragraph Three
I.
II.
V.
Topic Sentence
Documents?
Conclusion
I.
Restate thesis