1. Bell Ringer:
Please read and complete the primary source worksheet that is on your desk.

2. Geography of Europe
On the map on your desk, identify the numbered countries and bodies of water.
1.)__________
2.) __________
3.) __________
4.) __________
5.) __________
6.) __________
7.) __________

3. Absolute Monarchies
Centralization of power – a government’s power is in the hands of one person or group instead of shared by the people
Absolute monarchy – a government in which one person (king or queen) has total or near total control of the financial resources and the laws of a country
Divine right of kings – the supposed right given to a king, queen, or royal family by God to rule

4. Absolute Monarchy in France
Louis XIV (14th) ( )
“Sun King”
When he became king at age 22, declared he was subject to no one and that his power came directly from God.
Motto: “I am the state”
Controlled every aspect of French government – military, laws, economy, trade, etc.
Desired to make himself and France as wealthy as possible
Jean-Baptist Colbert – financial advisor to Louis XIV; brought in large amounts of money for the king and France by helping to maximize taxes and tariffs (taxes paid on imported goods)

5. Absolute Monarchy in France (cont’d)
Louis XIV (14th)
Versailles - a 2,000 room palace built by Louis XIV as a symbol of the monarchies power and wealth
Used wealth to maintain army of 300,000 men
Spending habits would eventually
bankrupt France

6. Absolute Monarchy in Prussia (Germany)
Frederick (II) the Great ( )
Intellectual, but was forced into military life by his father
Military genius – waged wars against neighboring countries in order to expand Prussia’s land and was very successful; earned him the title “the Great”
Head of the best equipped and best trained army in Europe
Softened harsh laws imposed by his father
Promoted religious tolerance for both Catholics and Protestants
Opened schools for commoners and to train government officials

7. Absolute Monarchy in Russia
Peter (I) the Great ( )
Czar (Tsar) of Russia – Czar literally translates to “Caesar” in Russian
Helped Russia become a major European power
Most remembered for his westernization of Russia
Westernization – Russia’s modernization to catch up and adopt European technology and culture
Forcefully tried to make Russia more like Western European countries by changing:
Laws
Government
Military
Social habits

8. Absolute Monarchy in Russia (cont’d)
Peter (I) the Great ( )
Modernized the Russian army with up- to-date weapons, strategies, and training practices
Created the Russian navy
Moved capitol closer to St. Petersburg, closer to Europe
More accessible to European trade and ideas

9. Absolute Monarchy in Russia (cont’d)
Catherine the Great ( )
Continued expansion of Russia
Gained access to the Black Sea and parts of Poland
Tried to share power with a legislative
commission at one point in time during
her reign
Eventually shut it down and ruled with
absolute power

10. Exit Activity:
We studied a total of four European monarchs today. In complete sentences (unless otherwise specified), answer the following questions on a sheet of notebook paper:
Who were the absolute monarchs of Europe that we studied today? Please list them.
What effects did each of these absolute monarchs have on their countries?
If you could pick one monarch to live under, which one would you choose. Please explain why you would choose them.