Absolute Monarchy

• • • October 30-31, 2013 Objective: Students will analyze characteristics of an absolute monarchy through text, written response and design.

Warm-Up: Rephrase the question in your answer.

“Why do people form governments?”

• • • Absolute Monarch: Unlimited power in the hands of the King and his advisors. Power is not limited by consulting nobles (upper class), common people, or their representatives. Divine Right: The idea that monarchs receive power directly from God and are accountable only to God for their actions. This allowed monarchs to go unchallenged by their subjects. Dynasty: A family governs a country based on the idea that divine right is passed down from one generation to the next.

Read “Absolute Monarchy” text. Use RACE to answer: 1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living under absolute rule?

2. How did absolutist rulers change life and policy in their countries, both positively and negatively?

Read “Louis XIV” text. Use RACE to answer: 3. What were the main political goals of Louis XIV and how did he achieve them? 4. Explain how the policies of Louis XIV could lead to national discontent.

• • • • • • • • • • Throne Room Royal Bedroom Dining Hall / Feasting Hall Ballroom / Great Hall Courtyard / Gardens Library Cells/Dungeon Servants quarters Parlor Pantry • • • • • • • • • • Guard Station/Barracks Tower / Observatory Kitchens Chapel Bathrooms State rooms Guest bedrooms Wine cellar Study/Office Stables

How will you design your palace?

You are the monarch of a European nation. After a long struggle, during which your life was in danger, you have come into power. Now that you have the throne, you want to be sure no one threatens you again. In addition, you want everyone to believe that you are the greatest ruler in Europe. You decide to build a palace that will impress both your subjects and visitors to your kingdom. How will you design your palace?

Your design must demonstrate the qualities and traits common to an absolute monarch. What features should the palace have? Include these in your design.

works cited • • http://www.ltisdschools.org/cms/lib/TX21000349/Centricity/Domain/287/Chapter 21.pdf

http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/harrison2/unitplan.pdf