1. Unit 1 Free Response Essay
LE Qs in AP Euro
Unit 1 Free Response Essay

2. Step #1: Read Question, break down tasks & terms
Prompt:
Machiavelli suggested that princes needed to be both foxes and lions. (both clever and fierce) Identify and analyze the ways in which the new monarchies of France, Spain, and England were foxes and lions during the 15th and early 16th centuries.
Task(s): 1. Identify 2. Analyze
Terms:
Monarchies of France / Spain / England
Fox and Lion (clever & fierce)
15th & early 16th centuries

3. Step #2: Brainstorm Essential Evidence
Fox like actions…
Lion like actions…
Enhanced revenue to strengthen armies by creating new taxes (gabelle & taille) in France.
Developed Royal Councils staffed w/ middle-class lawyers to outmaneuver the aristocratic assemblies
In Spain & France, they negotiated with the papacy to allow them appoint their owns bishops (control of church)
Shrewd Marriage arrangements to enhance royal domains, create allies
With armies, kings conquered new territories (Burgundy for France, Granada for Spain) or subdued rebellions (Ireland for England)
Charles VII created the first permanent standing army
Monarchs used violence and threat of violence against people who were seen as threats
Court of Star Chamber (England)
Spanish Inquisition
Use of justices of the peace (England) Hermandades (Spain)

4. Step #3: Develop Thesis & Categories of evidence (body paragraphs)
Possible Categories / Structure:
Body #1 ⟶ “Fox Qualities”
Body #2 ⟶ “Lion Qualities”
Body #1 ⟶ “French Monarchy Fox / Lion Qualities
Body #2 ⟶ “Spanish Monarchy Fox / Lion Qualities
Body #3 ⟶ “English Monarchy Fox / Lion Qualities

5. Thesis Statements
Your thesis is the most important part of your essay!
Your thesis statement is one to two sentences, is located at the end of your introductory paragraph, and it must:
Respond to the question / prompt directly, using the tasks & terms (make your claim!)
Briefly outline the categories of evidence that you will use to make your point.
It’s the opening statement in a court case…
DO NOT RESTATE THE PROMPT

6. Thesis Samples: Machiavelli suggested that princes needed to be both foxes and lions. (both clever and fierce) Identify and analyze the ways in which the monarchies of France, Spain, and England were foxes and lions during the 15th and early 16th centuries.
The great kings of France, Spain, and England exercised Machiavellian traits throughout there very successful reigns as they established themselves as “new monarchs.”
Machiavelli, and his humanistic approach to obtaining and holding power, were exemplified throughout the reigns of the Valois, Tudor, and Spanish monarchies.
The New monarchs were “fox-like” by utilizing the merchant class, and “lion-like” by using military force.

7. Thesis Samples: Machiavelli suggested that princes needed to be both foxes and lions. (both clever and fierce) Identify and analyze the ways in which the monarchies of France, Spain, and England were foxes and lions during the 15th and early 16th centuries.
Machiavelli wrote the prince by focusing on humanistic studies and empirical research following Cesare Borgia.
New Monarchs of the 15th and early 16th century strengthened themselves through very shrewd ways, making Machiavelli very happy.
The rulers of France, Spain, and England exemplified shrewd yet successful characteristics in efforts of strengthening their power by collecting new taxes, creating new and more effective governments, and gaining power and influence over religious affairs in their state.

8. Using Evidence
Addresses the topic of the question with specific examples of relevant evidence. (1 pt.)
Provide evidence
Utilizes specific examples of evidence to fully and effectively substantiate the stated thesis or a relevant argument. (1pt.)
Explain the evidence
($Enhanced Revenue $) New economic opportunities “re-awakened” first with the Italian City-States, then spreading north, creating a new class of very wealthy middle-class merchants for kings to utilize
(Gaining Religious Control) The problems of the Church creating an opportunity for kings to take advantage of in the 15th century (great schism, Babylonian Captivity)

9. Historical Thinking Skills:
Comparison
Causation
Continuity & Change Over Time (CCOT)
Periodization
Describes the way in which the historical development specified in the prompt was different from and similar to developments that preceded it. (1 pt.)
(What is “New” & not “New” about these New Monarchs)
Explains the extent to which the historical development specified in the prompt was different from and similar to developments that preceded (1 pt.)
(How much different is this from the Middle-Ages)

10. Synthesis
Extends the argument by explaining the connections between the argument and a development in a:
different historical period, situation, era, or geographical area.
The Signing of the Magna Carta / the Effect of the Hundred Years’ War in England (power struggle between monarch and nobility)
Pope Gregory v. HRE Henry IV at Canossa in 1077

11. Introductory Paragraph
Set up Time and Place
Allude to your subtopics
“Start Broad, and work your way toward your specific thesis”
Time & Place
Sub-topics
Thesis

12. Sample Introductory Paragraph w/ Thesis:
Throughout the middle-ages in Europe, monarchs were constantly struggling to strengthen their rule and centralize their states. Forces that stood as obstacles included noblemen, popes, and local provinces who strove to maintain their own privileges and authority. In 1513, an Italian humanist named Niccolo Machiavelli penned a political treatise that outlined suggested practices and behaviors for modern rulers to follow in efforts to obtain and embrace power more effectively. Yet a generation earlier beginning in the 15th century, rulers from France, Spain, and England saw the rise of what historians have since labeled “new monarchs” who put new practices in place in efforts to wrestle influence away from the nobility and church, and centralize their state. One approach to their tactics was highlighted by Machiavelli himself when he advised rulers to show characteristics of both “a fox and a lion.” By this, he meant that rulers needed to be both shrewd and clever, as well as exemplify fierce strength. These rulers of France, Spain, and England exemplified shrewd yet successful characteristics in efforts of strengthening their power by collecting new taxes, creating new and more effective governments, and gaining power and influence over religious affairs in their state. In addition, they displayed a fierce sense of strength by both creating and utilizing standing armies, and exacting justice and control through violent means.

13. Hart’s Body Paragraph Outline…
The monarchs of France, England, and Spain exercised a degree of “fox-like” cunning that proved positive in their efforts of enhancing their power. (TOPIC SENTENCE)
The Valois dynasty emerged at the end of the Hundred Years’ War against England poised to take advantage of their new found popularity. (TOPIC SENTENCE) Charles VII began by…
Evidence to Include:
New Revenues: taxes like the Gabelle & Taille in France
New Royal Councils: filled with new wealthy & educated members of the merchant middle-class
Gaining religious control – Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges / Concordat of Bologna (France) right to appoint bishops from Pope Alexander VI (Spain)
Strategic Wedding Arrangements: Henry Tudor w/ Scotland & Spain, Louix XI
Improving and promoting economic atmosphere – enhancing trade
Historical Thinking (Periodization):
Why is this different? How different is it?