1. Homework HW #1 on the Unit #1 Assignment Sheet due Friday

2. Aim #1: Who held political power in Europe from ancient times until the 18 th century, and how was that power challenged?

3. Do Now Which of the following periods that you learned about in 9 th grade do you think was the most significant turning point in European history, and why: The Roman Empire The Middle Ages The Renaissance The Protestant Reformation The Age of Absolutism The Scientific Revolution

4. Rome (2 nd century B.C. – 5 th century A.D.) Started as a republic, eventually became a dictatorship Centralized government ruled by powerful emperors Strong enforcement of laws (12 Tables)

5. Middle / Dark Ages (5 th – 15 th centuries) Feudal System – De-centralized power (no strong governments in Europe that could unify people, weak kings relied on nobles for military support). Roman Catholic Church becomes the most powerful institution in Europe.

6. The Renaissance (15 th – 16 th centuries) Challenges the power the Church had during the Middle Ages Rebirth of Greco-Roman culture Humanism Protestant Reformation

7. Scientific Revolution (16 th – 17 th centuries) Also challenged the power of the Church People use the scientific method, logic and reason to investigate the natural world.

8. Age of Absolutism (17 th – 18 th centuries) With the Church losing power, monarchs centralize their power and claim divine right. Louis XIV (France) Peter the Great (Russia) Phillip II (Spain)

9. Enlightenment (17 th – 18 th centuries) Challenges the power of both the absolute monarchs and the Church. This movement argues that problems in society, religion and government can be solved using human reason and logic. Many Enlightenment thinkers will use their reason and logic to argue that people deserve more political rights and religious freedom than the monarchs / Church were providing.

10. Concluding Question (respond on a separate sheet of paper) Provide one example of how EACH of the following events helped to pave the way for the Enlightenment: The Renaissance The Scientific Revolution The Age of Absolutism