AC - Absolutism and Constitutionalism Module Overview

Absolutism and Constitutionalism

Introduction

State-Building:

From the middle of the 17th century to the beginning of the 19th century, European countries were involved in developing and maintaining sovereignty over their countries. For some, this would be a successful venture, while for others, not quite as much. The idea of a sovereign state was foreign to many of these countries as was rule that was not connected to religion, specifically the Catholic Church. There was competition for power between those who were born to royalty, as well as corporate and minority language groups. The competition was essentially the same but the outcomes were different. In many states, the minority language groups resisted the efforts by the dominant national group to establish sovereign political power.

Minority groups and the merchant class weren’t the only ones who resisted state-building where the power resided in the hands of the monarch. Countries with monarchs continuously had to face challenges from the nobles who had enjoyed shared governance and relative freedom and didn’t want to give that up to live under an absolute government. In some countries, such as England, they didn’t have to but in others, like France, absolutism was the norm.

Photograph of the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles

The Age of Absolutism:

As a natural progression, the concept of Divine Right of Kings evolved into the acceptance of political absolutism. Absolutism was characterized by a nation-state literally identified by the personality and whims of its kings. Louis XIV, The Sun King, became the personification of this concept.

As the political theory of absolutism flourished throughout Europe, wars were waged, and an economic revolution of commerce developed around the fruits of the Age of Exploration. In a sense, nations became much more competitive economically and politically on a basis of ego (national as well as personal). This includes the Dutch Republic, while others such as the Polish monarchy were absorbed by neighboring countries. Louis XIV was so significant in the wars of the period that many historians refer to them as the "Wars of Louis XIV" of which the War of Spanish Succession is considered the last. As the Age of Louis XIV drew to a close, a new German state, Prussia, emerged as a major European power.

England went through tremendous changes from the early 17th century to the late 18th century. Due to the unique role Parliament played in the English political system, English monarchs were not able to fall as comfortably into the Age of Absolutism as other European states. The Tudors, particularly Elizabeth I, worked well with Parliament making the absolutist rule of the Stuarts controversial. In the end, the English were not willing to accept the idea of the Divine Right of Kings, the central philosophy of James I and his son Charles I. A series of wars with Holland, Spain, and the Dutch virtually bankrupted England creating the catalyst for the English Civil War. Religious issues also caused friction between the king and Parliament.

 

Module Lessons Preview

In this module, we will study the following topics:

  • The English Civil War & the Glorious Revolution - Long-simmering religions and political tensions result in fundamental changes to the British Monarchy.
  • Continuities and Changes to Economic Practice & Development/Mercantilism - New technologies lead to greater agricultural output and new exploration revitalizes trade and European economies.
  • The Dutch Golden Age - The Netherlands becomes a major global power, transforming business, culture, and art.
  • Balance of Power - Poland and the Ottoman Empire falter while Louis XIV of France becomes a model Absolutist.
  • Absolutist Approaches to Power - Absolutism spreads throughout Europe.

 

Essential Questions

  • Explain the context in which different forms of political power developed from 1648 to 1815.
  • Explain the causes and consequences of the English Civil War.
  • Explain the continuities and changes in commercial and economic developments from 1648 to 1815.
  • Explain the continuities and changes in commercial and economic developments from 1648 to 1815.
  • Explain the factors that contributed to the development of the Dutch Republic.
  • Explain how European states attempted to establish and maintain a balance of power on the continent throughout the period from 1648 to 1815.
  • Explain how advances in technology contributed to a developing balance of power on the continent throughout the period from 1648 to 1815.
  • Explain how absolutist forms of rule affected social and political development from 1648 to 1815.
  • Compare the different forms of political power that developed in Europe from 1648 to 1815

 

Textbook Assignment and Unit Review Form

As you work through this module, be certain to read the State Building and the Search for Order in the 17th Century chapter in your textbook. As you are reading, you may wish to jot down notes in the unit review form. Please pay close attention to the  political changes that take place during this period. This is for your notes, not to submit.

Download a copy of the unit review form here. Links to an external site.

 

Question Mark IconYou will also notice questions at the end of some lessons. They will be marked with a question icon like the one to the left. For now, these questions are ungraded but will give you an opportunity to work on analysis - a skill  you will need on the exam and in future history courses. Use the textbook and other resources to answer the questions that accompany the lessons and keep them in your notes to review.

 

Key Terms and People

There are several people and items you need to look over for this module. Be sure to download the ID list (linked below) - EVEN if you do not plan on defining them for your notes. This is for your notes, not to submit. You need to look over the list of terms to see what you will need to pay particular attention to in this module.

Download a copy of the ID List for this module here. Links to an external site.

The presentation below is helpful in seeing some of the more important people and terms but is by no means a definitive list.

 

 

 

 

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