1. History of the Ancient and Medieval World
Absolutism
Part 2
Walsingham Academy
Mrs. McArthur
Room 111

2. Extra-Credit: due Fri. 5/15 22
In a brief paragraph, analyze the visual sources on slide 2. Give to or me your answer by Friday 5/15.
Rumor has it that Louis XIV was very taken with Anthony van Dyck’s portrait of Charles I.
Although the French king had no intention of allowing history to repeat itself (like, you know, getting beheaded) he nevertheless recommended as a model this portrait to his own painter, Hyacinthe Rigaud.
What do these portraits, together, suggest about how these monarchs viewed themselves and their role?
How might one argue that, based on the visual evidence, Louis sought, with his own portrait, to enhance the image of the absolute monarch?
Consider:
What is the setting of each portrait?
How are the monarchs standing, dressed? What about expressions?
What, if any, personality is revealed?
2 Portraits: 2 Absolute Monarchs – You be the judge!

3. Emerging Nation States Foundation of Modern Europe
The Renaissance
The Voyages
Of Discovery
The Reformation
The Scientific Revolution
The New Monarchies
By the mid-17th century, kings in Britain, France, Austria, Prussia and by the 18th century, Russia were beginning to see science’s usefulness. Societies for the promotion of scientific inquiry were supported or even chartered by monarchs. With such royal patronage, scientists were less concerned about offending church authorities, less interested in science’s relationship to religion. This development takes the Scientific Revolution beyond its role in the Renaissance.

4. The monarch must break feudal ties to past
The New Monarchies
Machiavelli’s view of the successful ruler
The prince: agent of change in state formation
The need for unity, security and prosperity
“How to” model: Absolutism emerges on continent
The monarch must break feudal ties to past
What to look for in the successful state

5. The New Monarchies (cont.)
Church and nobility subordinated to monarch
Bureaucracy to supervise royal policies
Royal system of justice
Royal monopoly on military power
Dependable and adequate source of income
Winners and losers in early modern Europe

6. Thirty Years War (A Very Short Version)
War begins over religion but politics and dynastic issues are what’s really at stake.
European powers all get involved and stir the pot.
Outright banditry causes loss of life (30% of German population) and enormous property damage. (Consult Voltaire’s Candide)
Peace of Westphalia, 1648: map of Europe redrawn and unity of HRE denied.
Politics take precedence over religion; unity of Christendom in West seems no longer possible.

8. Assignment 1: due Tues, 5/19 Read text, pp 524-529
Complete graphic organizer
Answer thematic questions, pp
Complete Map Skills assessment, pp 526
Personal Map due 5/22
Frederick II, “The Great”
“First Servant of the State” (Self-described)

9. Assignment 2: due Wed, 5/20
Identify all blue terms text, pp and answer Comprehension and Critical Thinking questions, pp 529.
Auto-Test
Maria Theresa ( )
“Our lives and our blood for your Majesty”

10. Assignment 3: due Thurs, 5/21
Read text, pp
Complete Graphic Organizer
Identify all new terms
Complete Map Skills questions, pp 534
This equestrian statue of Peter the Great, created by the famous French sculptor Etienne Maurice Falconet, depicts the most prominent reformer of the Russia state as a Roman hero. The pedestal is made of a single piece of red granite molded into the shape of a cliff. From the top of this "cliff" Peter gallantly leads Russia forward, while his horse steps on a snake, which represents the enemies of Peter and his reforms.
According to a 19th century legend, enemy forces will never take St. Petersburg while the "Bronze Horseman" stands in the middle of the city. During the Second World War the statue was not taken down, but was protected with sand bags and a wooden shelter. In that way, the monument survived the 900-day Siege of Leningrad virtually untouched.
Peter the Great: St. Petersburg
Commissioned by Catherine the Great, statue shows Peter as Roman hero (Consult NotesPage)

11. Assignment 5: due Fri., 5/22
Answer Comprehension and Critical Thinking questions, pp 535.
Answer questions Thinking Critically, Infographic, pp 532.
Complete Map
Auto-Test
Catherine The Great (as Minerva)
Patroness of Arts and Letters
“philosopher on throne”

12. Russia: The Issue of Warm-Water Ports

13. Winners and Losers Explain
Austria
Poland
Prussia
Holy Roman Empire
Russia
Ottoman Empire
Sweden

14. Losing Out against Competition
Weakening of Monarchy (HRE and Poland) (It’s elective- why a bad idea?)
Poland disappears in 1795 as a result of actions by Russia, Austria and Prussia.
Napoleon abolishes HRE in early 1800s. What a long run – C.E.!
Ottoman Empire: Leadership problems (weak sultans) and falling behind in especially military technology)

15. Winning States Central/Eastern Europe
In different ways, different degrees winners establish “service” states which reward “compliant” nobles and create new nobles. (almost no middle class)
Foreigners welcomed into state service- a modernizing force
Consciously imitating France, the benchmark autocratic state
Big Future Issue: the Monarch vs. the State

16. Extra-Credit (due: 5/29)
Both Louis XIV and Frederick the Great wrote instructions for training their sons to rule. With your knowledge of the requirements for a successful absolutist state and your knowledge of the events of the period, imagine that you are one of the following monarchs. Draw up a list of “dos and don’ts” for your successor. Be sure to capture the beliefs of your monarch and the specific challenges of his time and place. You are:
Phillip II
James I
Frederick the Great
Peter the Great
PS: Use your imagination, albeit in a historically authentic manner!