I. Activating Prior Knowledge
People have used various forms of political systems throughout world history. Modern nation-states developed in Europe in the 1600s and 1700s. Absolute monarchs with vast power and wealth ruled countries such as France and Russia. At the same time in England, attempts were made to limit royal power and to protect the rights of some of the people. There was tension between absolutism and this limited form of democracy. Each of these systems of governments had its advantages and disadvantages.
II. Setting A Purpose for Reading
As you read this excerpts, what form of government was most effective –
democracy or absolute monarchy – for the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in Europe?
III. Reading the Text (Read, Re-read, and Read Again)
Excerpt #1. – Niccolo Machiavelli – The Prince, 1513 (adapted)
For all men in general this observation may be made: they are ungrateful, fickle,
and deceitful, eager to avoid dangers, and avid for gain, and while you are useful to them they are all with you, but when it [danger] approaches, they turn on you. Any prince, trusting only in their works and having no other preparations made, will fall to ruin, for friendships that are bought at a price and not by greatness and nobility of soul are paid for indeed, but they are not owned and cannot be called upon in time of need. Men have less hesitation in offending a man who is loved than one who is feared, for love is held by a bond of obligation which, as men are wicked, is broken whenever personal advantage suggests it, but fear is accompanied by the dread of punishment, which never relaxes.
Stop! Can you answer these questions? If not, go back and re-read the passage. According to Machiavelli, what type of ruler must the prince be? Why is it necessary for him to rule in this manner?
Excerpt #2. – King James I of England in 1609
The state of the monarchy is the supremest thing upon earth; for kings are not only God’s lieutenants upon earth, and sit upon God’s throne, but even by God Himself they are called gods…Kings are justly called gods, for that they exercise a …divine power upon earth…God hath power to create or destroy, make or unmake at His pleasure, to give life or send death, to judge all, and to be judged nor accountable to none; to raise low things, and to make high things low at His pleasure…And the like power have kings.
Stop! Can you answer these questions? If not, go back and re-read
the passage. What type of government does King James describe? Why does he believe it should be organized in this way?
Excerpt #3 – King Louis XIV of France in 1660.
The head alone has the right to deliberate and decide, and the functions of all the other members consist only in carrying out the commands given to them. …The more you grant … [to the assembled people], the more it claims … The interest of the state must come first.
Stop! Can you answer these questions? If not, go back and re-read
the passage. What type of government does King Louis describe? What analogy does King Louis use to make his point? Why does he recommend this type of government?
Excerpt #4 – Voltaire, a French philosopher of the 1700’s.
I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say
it … The best government seems to be that in which all ranks of men are equally
protected by the laws…
Stop! Can you answer these questions? If not, go back and re-read
the passage. What type of government does Voltaire recommend? What specific freedom does he feel is essential?
Excerpt #5 – Baron de Montesquieu, The Spirit of Laws, 1748 (adapted).
Although the forms of state –monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy – were united in English government, the powers of government were separated from one another. There can be no liberty where the executive, legislative, and judicial powers are united in one person or body of persons, because such concentration is bound to result in arbitrary despotism.
Stop! Can you answer these questions? If not, go back and re-read
the passage. What type of government does Montesquieu describe? Why does he believe it should be organized in this way?
IV. Personal Reflection - Respond to the following questions in your blog. Be sure to include quotes from the text to support your response.
Part 1 Response – Based on your reading of these excerpts and other documents, what is the best form of government? Be sure to give the name of the philosopher and his belief that most influenced your opinion.
Part 2 Response – If you could create an ideal or perfect government, how would it work?
Part 3 Response – Historians and political scientists often discuss the “Divine Right of Kings.” What is meant by the “Divine Right of Kings?” Be sure to use information from the excerpts to support your response.
V. Peer Reflection – Read one classmates’ reflections and respond to what they have written. You may choose to agree or disagree with their response. However, you must give sufficient and supported reasons for your opinion.
Source: Noonan, Theresa C. Document-Based Assessment for Global History. Portland: Walch, 2007. 85-89.
People have used various forms of political systems throughout world history. Modern nation-states developed in Europe in the 1600s and 1700s. Absolute monarchs with vast power and wealth ruled countries such as France and Russia. At the same time in England, attempts were made to limit royal power and to protect the rights of some of the people. There was tension between absolutism and this limited form of democracy. Each of these systems of governments had its advantages and disadvantages.
II. Setting A Purpose for Reading
As you read this excerpts, what form of government was most effective –
democracy or absolute monarchy – for the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in Europe?
III. Reading the Text (Read, Re-read, and Read Again)
Excerpt #1. – Niccolo Machiavelli – The Prince, 1513 (adapted)
For all men in general this observation may be made: they are ungrateful, fickle,
and deceitful, eager to avoid dangers, and avid for gain, and while you are useful to them they are all with you, but when it [danger] approaches, they turn on you. Any prince, trusting only in their works and having no other preparations made, will fall to ruin, for friendships that are bought at a price and not by greatness and nobility of soul are paid for indeed, but they are not owned and cannot be called upon in time of need. Men have less hesitation in offending a man who is loved than one who is feared, for love is held by a bond of obligation which, as men are wicked, is broken whenever personal advantage suggests it, but fear is accompanied by the dread of punishment, which never relaxes.
Stop! Can you answer these questions? If not, go back and re-read the passage. According to Machiavelli, what type of ruler must the prince be? Why is it necessary for him to rule in this manner?
Excerpt #2. – King James I of England in 1609
The state of the monarchy is the supremest thing upon earth; for kings are not only God’s lieutenants upon earth, and sit upon God’s throne, but even by God Himself they are called gods…Kings are justly called gods, for that they exercise a …divine power upon earth…God hath power to create or destroy, make or unmake at His pleasure, to give life or send death, to judge all, and to be judged nor accountable to none; to raise low things, and to make high things low at His pleasure…And the like power have kings.
Stop! Can you answer these questions? If not, go back and re-read
the passage. What type of government does King James describe? Why does he believe it should be organized in this way?
Excerpt #3 – King Louis XIV of France in 1660.
The head alone has the right to deliberate and decide, and the functions of all the other members consist only in carrying out the commands given to them. …The more you grant … [to the assembled people], the more it claims … The interest of the state must come first.
Stop! Can you answer these questions? If not, go back and re-read
the passage. What type of government does King Louis describe? What analogy does King Louis use to make his point? Why does he recommend this type of government?
Excerpt #4 – Voltaire, a French philosopher of the 1700’s.
I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say
it … The best government seems to be that in which all ranks of men are equally
protected by the laws…
Stop! Can you answer these questions? If not, go back and re-read
the passage. What type of government does Voltaire recommend? What specific freedom does he feel is essential?
Excerpt #5 – Baron de Montesquieu, The Spirit of Laws, 1748 (adapted).
Although the forms of state –monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy – were united in English government, the powers of government were separated from one another. There can be no liberty where the executive, legislative, and judicial powers are united in one person or body of persons, because such concentration is bound to result in arbitrary despotism.
Stop! Can you answer these questions? If not, go back and re-read
the passage. What type of government does Montesquieu describe? Why does he believe it should be organized in this way?
IV. Personal Reflection - Respond to the following questions in your blog. Be sure to include quotes from the text to support your response.
Part 1 Response – Based on your reading of these excerpts and other documents, what is the best form of government? Be sure to give the name of the philosopher and his belief that most influenced your opinion.
Part 2 Response – If you could create an ideal or perfect government, how would it work?
Part 3 Response – Historians and political scientists often discuss the “Divine Right of Kings.” What is meant by the “Divine Right of Kings?” Be sure to use information from the excerpts to support your response.
V. Peer Reflection – Read one classmates’ reflections and respond to what they have written. You may choose to agree or disagree with their response. However, you must give sufficient and supported reasons for your opinion.
Source: Noonan, Theresa C. Document-Based Assessment for Global History. Portland: Walch, 2007. 85-89.
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