Rise of the absolute monarchs

• Geschiedenis
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 2

Rise of the absolute monarchs

Assignment:

1. Make a drawing of an absolute monarch
2. You have 5 minutes
3. Keep the drawing until the end of the class

At the end of the lesson, you can...

• explain what absolutism is
• list at least three absolute rulers in Europe between the 16th and 18th century
• start with your practical assignment

Absolutism

• period between 1610 and 1789 
• most monarchs had a form of power unrestricted by other institutions
• Absolute rulers appear as early as the 16th century and are still here

Henry VIII

• Ruled England 1509 - 1547
• Started Church of England
• Persecuted catholics after that
• Fun fact: married 6 times, beheaded two of his wives

Philips II

• King of Spain 1556 - 1581
• Spanish empire spread out from Spain to South America
• Believed himself the defender of Catholicism
• Fun Fact: considered to be the worst absolute monarch of all

Louis XIV

• King of France 1638 - 1715
• Defender of absolutism
• Continuous wars to expand French territory
• Prohibited protestantism
• Fun Fact: build himself a palace that cost up to 2 billion dollars!

Peter I

• Russian Tsar 1682 - 1725
• Named himself 'Peter the Great
• Modernised Russia
• Fun fact: outlawed beards
• Fun fact 2: visited Holland

Absolutism? No, thank you

• English kings wanted to be absolute rulers
• Parliament was too strong - lots of conflicts, from 1215 onwards
• Charles I tried - civil war and he was beheaded
• 1688: Dutch stadtholder William III drives out James II
• = Glorious Revolution
• William and his wife Mary agreed on Bill of Rights that limitied power of the monarch from then on

Practical Assignment

1. Work in groups of three (see next slide for groups)
2. Write a report card for this ruler
3. Present the report card to the class (4-5 minutes)

Grade will be a combination of the report card you made and the presentation you give as a group

See rubric in SOM

The groups & 'their' rulers

1. Peter the Great (Russia): Bas, Tim & Béla
2. Catherine the Great (Russia): Carmen, Sjoerd & Signe
3. Philips II (Spain): Danila, Selina & Elias
4. Elizabeth I (England): Harshmeet, Sediqa & Sammi
5. Henry VIII (England): Evy, Roos & Fenna
6. Louis XIV (France): Erika, Rhythm & Niara
7. Frederick the Great (Prussia): Jasmijn, Maylina & Lois
8. Joseph II (Holy Roman Empire): Julie, Linde & Kasper van der W
9. Charles XII (Sweden): Kenji, Kasper S & Leah

Presentation: 11 december

Look at your drawing

What would you do different now?