Chapter 16 – Absolutism and Constitutionalism in Western Europe (1589-1715)

Readings:

McKay, p. 523-557.

Presentations

AP Euro_CH 16.1

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Ch 16.2

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Class Materials

Study Guide – Key Terms and Questions CH 16

Review Questions

  1. How did conditions worsen for Europeans during the 17th century?
  2. How did France change the basic nature of the military during the 17th century and how did these changes work towards expansion of the state?
  3. What is absolutism? How did Louis XIV’s government come to be considered the peak of absolutism?
  4. How did Spain achieve absolutism so early on? What factors lead to the decline of Spanish absolutism in the 17th century?
  5. What was the influence of Versailles on court culture of the 17th century?
  6. What was meant by Baroque? Where did this style flourish?
  7. Who was Oliver Cromwell and how did he rule England?
  8. What was the Glorious Revolution? Identify the Bill of Rights and John Locke.
  9. What was the economic success of the Dutch founded on? How were their religious beliefs different from others in Europe?

Essay Questions

Artistic

  1. Compare the baroque art of the absolutist and Catholic countries with the 17th century art of constitutionalist countries. Consider Rubens, Bernini, Velasquez, Rembrandt, van Dyke, Peeters, and Vermeer. How does style mirror social values?
  2. What were the political, social, and economic functions of the palaces and royal complexes constructed during the 17th century? Consider Versailles, St. Petersburg, Schoenburg. Also consult next chapter of your textbook to fully answer this question.

Social

  1. How did the power of the middle class determine the successes of both the constitutional and absolutist forms of government?
  2. Why were there so many popular revolts during the 17th century? Analyze the reasons in terms of political, economic, and religious causes.

Political

  1. Describe and analyze the requirements for becoming an absolute ruler.
  2. Compare the constitutionalist governments formed in England and the United Provinces.
  3. Compare and contrast how the Spanish and Dutch set up colonial administration.
  4. Compare how the French and Spanish crowns staffed and used their administrative councils.

Intellectual

  1. Compare and contrast the political theories of Locke and Hobbes. Take into consideration their attitudes toward the English Civil War and their theories about human nature.

Religious

  1. Explain and analyze the role that religious disputes played in the English Civil War.
  2. Explain and analyze the connection between Dutch commercial prosperity and its religious toleration.

Economic

  1. Explain how Spain still had to devalue coinage and declare bankruptcies during the 16th and 17th centuries – despite wealth pouring in from the Americas.
  2. Explain and analyze how the Dutch rose to a world power between 1648-1713. Consider political, religious, and economic causes.

Internet Resources