February 11, 2016

HONORS
WORLD
HISTORY

Absolutism
The Rise of the Nation State

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LAP 6

Honors World History

Ms. Rothweiler

Spring 2016

Overview
By the mid 14th century, feudalism had reached its pinnacle and was beginning to wane. Local monarchs slowly
usurped the power from feudal lords. Eventually the absolute monarch emerged, who solidified their control
with the claim of divine right. Historians note that the evolution was facilitated by 8 conditions.

Residents of the manor and medieval towns were tired of their rights and lives being threatened by
violence. They wanted a government that had the power to address the situation.
The Crusades had a dual effect: a) pulled lords away from their lands allowing monarchs to take them
over; b) crusaders became acquainted with the absolute governments of the East
The rising commercial middle class wanted peace so they could carry on trade.
The expansion of trade led to the rise of cities that were more loyal to a centralized government.
The decline of the Catholic Church permitted monarchs to step into the power vacuum created by the
Reformation.
The re-introduction of Greek and Roman history reminded European rulers that autocracy resulted in
greatness.
The introduction of gun powder provided the ammunition needed by the professional armies hired by
monarchs. These armies were now equipped to destroy the castle walls.
Renaissance political thought promoted by Machiavelli and Bodin glorified the sovereignty of the
absolute monarchy.

Although circumstances favored the appearance of the absolute monarchy, the right personalities had to be
present. Powerful monarchs like Louis XIV of France, Frederick of Prussia, Peter of Russia, Charles II of Spain,
and Joseph II of Austria knew how to take advantage of situations. They encourage the spread of nationalism
which included religious wars. Civil Wars between a monarch and the noble class were also very common.
Battles also commonly resulted from trade-related clashes between nations. Initially, Spain dominated with a
powerful navy and vast empire. Later on, however, the power shifted to two rivaling powers-in-the-making:
France and Britain.

Rationale
Students will understand that absolute monarchs emerged in each of the 5 Great Powers to solidify
power and leadership in to a centralized place. These highly-centralized states desired to become as
powerful as possible, while simultaneously making sure that other states did not gain power. The
cyclical nature of this idea created a unique balance of power among the 5 Great Powers that lasted for
centuries.
.

TEACHER NAME/TEACHER EMAIL ADDRESS:

Ms. Deb Rothweiler, drothweiler@iwacademy.org

LAP Information
LAP 6: Absolutism Rise of the Nation State
9 CLASS MEETINGS
Materials needed for LAP:
Notebook
Use of Internet if you have a device bring to class
Textbook
Materials for selected project
Online resources

LAP Objectives: Upon Completion of this LAP students will be able to:
1. Analyze how each monarch established and maintained absolute rule
2. Analyze the characteristics of an absolute monarchy
3. Evaluate why England did not develop an absolute monarchy
4. Discuss the rise of the nation-state
5. Identify/Define the following
Absolutism
Divine Right
balance of power
Thirty Years War
Versailles Palace
Jean Baptiste Colbert Peter the Great
Catherine the Great
Limited monarchy
Philip II
Hapsburgs
Bourbons
Henri VIII
Elizabeth I
Stuarts
Glorious Revolution
Cavaliers
Roundheads
Restoration
William and Mary
Ivan the Great
Ivan the Terrible
Hohenzollerns
Frederick the Great
Parliament
Isabella and Ferdinand
Independent and/Open Lab Assignments/Enrichment:
1. No Open Lab
2. Enrichment Assignments- posted on www.rothiwa.com
3. Project:

None

Sun King
Tudors
Oliver Cromwell
Bill of Rights
Estates General

LAP TEST/ASSESSMENT: (Summative)

CLASS MEETINGS:
First Class Meeting:
Due At the beginning of Class: No Assignment
Class Focus: Notetaking
Essential Question: Is monarchy a good form of govt
Second Class Meeting
Due At the beginning of Class: 6-1
Class Focus: The Nation State
Essential Question: : What is the most important element in
determining a nation-state
Third Class Meeting
Due At the beginning of Class: Assignment 6-2
Class Focus: Absolutism
Essential Question: Are absolute monarchs good for a nation
Fourth Class Meeting
Due at the beginning of class Assignment 6-3
Focus of Class: France and Spain
Essential Question:
Fifth Class Meeting
Due at the beginning class: 6-4
Class focus: Beginning of English monarchs
Essential question: Why do monarchs succeed and fail?
Sixth Class Meeting
Due at the beginning of class: None
Class focus: The Tudors English monarchs
Essential question: Which of the English Tudors had the greatest
impact on England
Seventh Class Meeting
Due at the beginning of class: Assignment 6-5 (formative)
Class focus: Austria, Russia and Prussia
Essential Question: Was absolutism different in Eastern Europe
Eighth Class Meeting
Due at the beginning of class: Work day for DBQ
Class Focus:

DATE/DAY DUE
F Day Feb 11

H Day Feb 17

J Day Feb 18

A Day Feb 22

C Day Feb 24

D Day Feb 25

F Day Feb 29

H day March 2


Ninth Class Meeting
Due at the beginning of class: DBQ

Class Focus- Wrapping it up

J Day March 3

Homework Assignment Explanations

All homework assignments and projects are on my website and
classroom google