APEURO: Unit 3, Absolutism and Constitutionalism - Contextualizing Absolutism and Constitutionalism

Why This Matters

Absolutism and Constitutionalism are two contrasting systems of government that emerged in Europe during the 16th to 18th centuries. This period saw the rise of powerful monarchs, such as Louis XIV of France and Philip II of Spain, who sought to consolidate their authority and create absolute monarchies. In response, thinkers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau advocated for constitutionalism, which emphasized the protection of individual rights and the limitation of royal power. Understanding the context of Absolutism and Constitutionalism is crucial for grasping the AP theme of Politics and Power, as it highlights the ongoing struggle between monarchs and their subjects for control and representation.

Key Events & People

• The Edict of Nantes (1598): Issued by Henry IV of France, this edict granted toleration to Huguenots (French Protestants) and marked a significant shift towards greater religious freedom in France.
• The Thirty Years War (1618-1648): A devastating conflict that ravaged Europe, leading to the decline of the Holy Roman Empire and the rise of powerful nation-states.
• The English Civil War (1642-1651): A series of conflicts that saw the execution of King Charles I and the establishment of a republican government under Oliver Cromwell.
• John Locke (1632-1704): An English philosopher who advocated for constitutionalism and the social contract, arguing that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed.
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778): A French philosopher who emphasized the importance of general will and the social contract, influencing the development of modern democracy.
• The Glorious Revolution (1688): A bloodless coup in England that saw the overthrow of King James II and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy under William III and Mary II.
• The Treaty of Westphalia (1648): A peace treaty that ended the Thirty Years War and established the principle of sovereignty, recognizing the independence of nation-states.
• The English Bill of Rights (1689): A document that established certain rights and liberties for English subjects, including freedom of speech and protection from arbitrary arrest.
• The French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789): A document that enshrined the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity, influencing the development of modern democracy.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The rise of powerful nation-states in Europe during the 16th century.
• Effect: The decline of the Holy Roman Empire and the Thirty Years War.

• Long-term consequence: The establishment of the modern nation-state system and the rise of constitutionalism.

• Cause: The English Civil War and the execution of King Charles I.

• Effect: The establishment of a republican government under Oliver Cromwell.

• Long-term consequence: The development of constitutional monarchy in England and the influence of the Glorious Revolution.

• Cause: The ideas of John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

• Effect: The development of modern democracy and the emphasis on individual rights and liberties.
• Long-term consequence: The influence of constitutionalism on modern politics and the protection of individual rights.

Essential Vocabulary

• Absolutism: A system of government in which the monarch holds absolute power and authority.
• Constitutionalism: A system of government in which the power of the monarch is limited by a constitution or a set of laws.
• Sovereignty: The principle that a nation-state has supreme authority and independence.
• Social contract: An agreement between individuals and the government that establishes the terms of their relationship.
• General will: The collective will of the people, as expressed through their elected representatives.
• Toleration: The acceptance of different religious or political beliefs, often through the granting of rights and freedoms.
• Republicanism: A system of government in which power is held by elected representatives rather than a monarch.
• Monarchy: A system of government in which power is held by a monarch or king.
• Nation-state: A sovereign state that is defined by a shared culture, language, and territory.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: Confusing the Edict of Nantes with the Treaty of Westphalia.
• Correction: The Edict of Nantes was issued by Henry IV in 1598, while the Treaty of Westphalia was signed in 1648 to end the Thirty Years War.
• What students often get wrong: Believing that the English Civil War was a single event.
• Correction: The English Civil War was a series of conflicts that lasted from 1642 to 1651, involving multiple battles and power struggles.
• What students often get wrong: Thinking that John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau were contemporaries.
• Correction: John Locke was born in 1632 and died in 1704, while Jean-Jacques Rousseau was born in 1712 and died in 1778.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the impact of the Thirty Years War on the development of modern nation-states. Be sure to include the Treaty of Westphalia and the rise of absolutism in your response.
  • Evidence: The Treaty of Westphalia, the rise of Louis XIV in France, the decline of the Holy Roman Empire.
• Possible essay prompt: Compare and contrast the ideas of John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau on government and politics. Be sure to include their views on the social contract and general will in your response.
  • Evidence: Locke's Second Treatise, Rousseau's Social Contract, the English Bill of Rights.
• Possible essay prompt: Evaluate the significance of the Glorious Revolution in English history. Be sure to include the impact of the English Bill of Rights and the rise of constitutional monarchy in your response.
  • Evidence: The English Bill of Rights, the Glorious Revolution, the rise of William III and Mary II.

Quick Self?Check

1. What was the main consequence of the Thirty Years War?
   • Correct answer: The decline of the Holy Roman Empire and the rise of modern nation-states.
   • Explanation: The Thirty Years War led to the decline of the Holy Roman Empire and the rise of powerful nation-states in Europe.
2. Who was the author of the Second Treatise?
   • Correct answer: John Locke.
   • Explanation: John Locke wrote the Second Treatise, which argued for constitutionalism and the social contract.
3. What was the significance of the English Bill of Rights?
   • Correct answer: It established certain rights and liberties for English subjects, including freedom of speech and protection from arbitrary arrest.
   • Explanation: The English Bill of Rights was a document that protected individual rights and liberties in England.

Last?Minute Cram Sheet

• The Treaty of Westphalia (1648) ended the Thirty Years War and established the principle of sovereignty.
• The English Civil War (1642-1651) saw the execution of King Charles I and the establishment of a republican government under Oliver Cromwell.
• The Glorious Revolution (1688) established a constitutional monarchy in England under William III and Mary II.
• The Edict of Nantes (1598) granted toleration to Huguenots in France.
• The French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789) enshrined the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
• John Locke's Second Treatise argued for constitutionalism and the social contract.
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Social Contract emphasized the importance of general will and the social contract.
• The Holy Roman Empire declined during the Thirty Years War.
• The English Bill of Rights established certain rights and liberties for English subjects.
• The Treaty of Westphalia recognized the independence of nation-states.