1. History 10: How to Think About History
Unit 6: The Age of Absolute Monarchs

2. Events are the products of other events
Causation
Events are the products of other events
Absolute monarchs were the product of a weakening of feudalism

3. Change is ongoing and ever present
As feudalism weakened the strength of monarchies grew
Power centered upon a single person (king or queen) made it later possible for nation-states to develop

4. Continuity connects different historical periods and developments
Absolute monarchs justified their unlimited power by appealing to the so-called “Divine Right of Kings”
They asserted God decided who would be ruler
The power enjoyed by absolute monarchs was similar to the power enjoyed by Roman emperors

5. History is not a science but a perspective or story
Perspectives & Biases
History is not a science but a perspective or story
Bishop Bossuet, tutor to Louis XIV’s son, defended the idea of absolute monarchy with these words: “The royal throne is not the throne of a man, but the throne of God himself”
People create myths to justify (defend) why they have the governments they do