Political Philosophy and Organization in the 16th 17th Centuries
Documents selected for instruction may include but are not limited to:
Textbook and Primary Sources
Ø Kagan, The Western Heritage. Ch: 13, 15
Ø John Locke, {Second Treatise of Civil Government: Legislative Power”
Ø Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan
Ø John Locke, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
Ø Domat, “On Social Order and Absolute Monarchy”
Ø Jacques Bossuet,Politics Drawn From the Very Words of Holy Scripture
Secondary Sources
DocPkt – 3 Excerpts from The Prince
DocPkt – 4 “Tulip Bulb Mania”
DocPkt – 5 English Bill of Rights
DocPkt – 6 European Absolutism 2
Visual Sources
• The Early Modern Chateau
• Maternal Care – Pieter de Hooch
Unit Focus
The factors behind the divergent political paths of England and France in the 17th
The conflict between the Parliament & king over taxation and religion in early Stuart
England, the English Civil War, and the abolition of the monarchy
The Restoration and the development of Parliament’s supremacy over the monarchy in the Glorious Revolution
The establishment of an absolutist monarchy in France under Louis XIV
Religious policies of Louis XIV
The wars of Louis XIV
The Dutch Golden Age
French aristocratic resistance to the monarchy
Early 18th century British political stability
The efforts of the Habsburgs to secure their holdings
The emergence of Prussia as a major power under the Hohenzollerns
The efforts of Peter the Great to transform Russia into a powerful centralized nation
Name: ______Hour: ____ AP European History – Mr. W.B. Brooks
# / Assignment Title / Due Date / Points Possible1 / Kagan Chapter(s) – Readings & Multiple Choice Questions
2 / Vocabulary & Review Questions
3 / Machiavelli – “The Prince”
4 / The Dutch Golden Age
5 / European Absolutism
6 / PERSIA Jigsaw
7 / Treaty of Westphalia—Simulation and Analysis
8 / Take Home DBQ – “Women In Science”
RJ1 / Unit Reading Journal (Completed By 3rd Day of Unit)
RG / Reading Groups (Done In Class On Day Before Unit Exam)
CL1 / Reading Quiz (Only Over Textbook Chapters)
CL2 / Unit Summative / Exam (MC, FRQ, DBQ – Possible Formats)
First Semester, Unit III: Early Modern Europe 1550-1650: A Century of Crisis for Early Modern Europe
Reading: Text, selected documents
Day / Date / Topic of the DayEarly Modern Europe—PERSIA Jigsaw
Baroque vs. Art of the Dutch Masters—Brueghel Clip, PPT and Art Tour
England of Elizabeth
Early Modern Spain
The Western Tradition: “Age of the Religious Wars”
The Thirty Years War—Handout and Jigsaw
Treaty of Westphalia—Simulation and Analysis
Review: Units 1-4
Test: Units 1-4
First Semester, Unit III: Early Modern Europe 1550-1650: A Century of Crisis for Early Modern Europe
Enduring Understandings
1. Religious conflicts caused a century of upheaval in Early Modern Europe
2. Political, social, and economic factors also motivated the outbreak of “religious” warfare.
3. The Thirty Years War had long-lasting impacts.
4. The development of a strong Protestant monarchy in England under Elizabeth changed the balance of power in Europe.
5. Spain experienced a decline under Philip II from which it never really recovered.
6. The disintegration and reconstruction of France had significant effects on the rest of Europe.
Essential Questions
1. What gave rulers legitimacy in Early Modern Europe? What gives rulers legitimacy in the world, today?
2. Discuss the golden age of Spain with reference to Discuss the golden age of Spain with reference to politics, economics, and culture. What factors contributed to Spain’s greatness? What caused her decline?
3. Compare and contrast the ways in which the personal leadership & motivations of Philip II of Spain and Elizabeth I of England affected their nations? Be specific when considering their actions.
4. Genevan Calvinism & Catholicism were equally dogmatic, aggressive, and irreconcilable church systems. Explain the major differences between the two religions. Next, discuss the ways in which the Protestant and Catholic art differed and reflected the religious differences.
5. Discuss the origins of the revolt in the Netherlands. Explain how the split in Dutch society led to the Council of Blood. What caused the Pacification of Ghent, and how did it affect the Dutch? Explain how this arrangement disintegrated into modern-day Belgium and Netherlands.
6. Explain the Explain the religious and political divisions of the Holy Roman Empire on the eve of the Thirty Year's War, AND analyze the ways in which the Thirty Years War was a turning point in European History.
7. What qualities made leaders successful in Early Modern Europe, & are these qualities still valued in leaders, today?
Assignment #3Sources: / § Document:Excerpts from Machiavelli's,The Prince.
Questions: / 1. What were the general characteristics of the merchant-oligarchies of northern Italy during the Renaissance?
2. The Italian city-states tried to pressure their independence through balance-of-power diplomacy. How did this diplomatic strategy work in 15cItaly? What were the drawbacks of this system?
3. How was the Kingdom of Naples different from these northern Renaissance states?
4. Why did Machiavelli writeThe Prince?
5. What was Machiavelli's view of human nature? How did it influence his political thinking?
6. What was the goal of government and leadership according to Machiavelli?
7. How was Machiavelli's advice to princes a break from the teachings of medieval and moral philosophers?
8. Based onThe Prince, what is more important--to be loved or to be feared? Explain your answer.
9. How wasThe Princea reflection of the political milieu {atmosphere} of the times? Is it of use to politicians today? Defend your position.
Assignment #4
Sources: / § PowerPoint:"The Dutch 'Golden Age': 1580s-1670s."
§ Reading:"The Tulip Bulb Mania."
Questions: / 1. How and why were the United Provinces a unique republic in Europe?
2. How did the United Provinces gain their independence?
3. What were the accomplishments and failures of Jan De Witt? What was his fate?
4. Why was William III not able to establish absolutism in the United Provinces? How did the Estates General of Holland curtail his political and military ambitions?
5. How was the aristocracy of the United Provinces different from the usual European pattern?
6. How did the arts, especially painting, reflect 17c Dutch life? What were some of the major themes that were stressed by Dutch artists of the period?
7. Why was the first half of the 17csometimes called "The Dutch Half-Century?"
8. Why did tulips generate a speculation bubble in the 17c?
9. Why did the Dutch Republic decline at the end of the 17c?
10. How did Gustavus Adolphus transform Sweden into the most powerful state in the Baltic area?
11. Identify the causes for political upheaval in Sweden in the 1650s.
12. How did the reigns of Charles XI and Charles XII eventually lead to a non-absolutist government in Sweden?
Assignment #5
Sources: / § Document:excerpts from"The English Bill of Rights."
Questions: / 1. Why did the Parliament restore the monarchy under Charles II in 1660?
2. What deal did Charles II make with Louis XIV of France?
3. Over what issues did Parliament and Charles II collide?
4. Why was James II forced to flee England in 1688? What did he do that so angered the British people?
5. Why was the change in power from James II to William and Mary called the "Glorious Revolution" in British history?
6. Identify the major political/constitutional principles highlighted in the English Bill of Rights. Why was it considered a milestone in British history?
7. Identify the political interests in England represented by the Whigs and the Tories.
8. How was the Hanoverian dynasty established in England?
9. How 'democratic' was Britain under the Hanoverian Georges?
10. What were some of the characteristics of British political life at the end of the 18c? Who had the political as well as the social power in 18cEngland?
11. Why do some historians feel that the modern British cabinet system had its origins her in the late 18c?
Assignment #6
Sources: / § Document packet:"European Absolutism - #2."(mini-HOH)
Questions: / 1. Create a CHART which compares and contrasts the political philosophies of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke.
2. Why was Hobbes viewed as the apologist for divine-right monarchy?
3. How did Locke's writings convert the English Revolution of 1688 into an event of universal meaning? How did his emphasis on property rights support or detract from his defense of the individual against the state?
4. List some of the "reasons of state" as practiced in 18cEuropean diplomacy.
5. How did diplomacy become a serious profession in the 18c?
6. What were the causes of the Seven Years' War? What were the new political and diplomatic realignments that took place before the war?
7. What were the results of the Seven Years' War on the continent for Prussia? Austria?