AP European History - Unit 3: Absolutism and Constitutionalism (1648-1815)

Welcome to Unit 3! This unit builds upon the foundations laid in Units 1 and 2. Remember those key terms? New monarchies, religious pluralism, overseas expansion, and the commercial revolution? They're all still super relevant! Let's dive in and make some connections! 🚀

📄 Review: Unit 1: Renaissance and Exploration

📄 Review: Unit 2: Age of Reformation

States and Politics

Sovereignty is the core concept of this unit. It refers to the political power to make and enforce rules without needing approval from a higher authority. This idea evolves directly from the previous units. Think of it as the ultimate power move! 💪

Development of Constitutionalism in England

The 17th century in Britain was a hotbed of conflict over who held sovereignty. It was a battle between monarchs and nobles, and between different religious groups.

• English Civil War (1642): King Charles I (known for his fancy shoes 👢 but not his leadership) clashed with Parliament over power-sharing. This war was also about religion (Puritans, Anglicans, Presbyterians, and Catholics) and national identity (rebellions in Ireland and Scotland). Parliament won and, shockingly, executed Charles 😵.

• Glorious Revolution: Later, James II (Charles’s son) also had issues with Parliament. Parliamentary leaders invited his brother-in-law to invade and overthrow him. This worked without another war, hence “Glorious”. This established constitutionalism 📜 in England, where monarchs shared power with Parliament. The Dutch Republic was another example of this.

Charles I of England

Absolutism

Some monarchs, like Louis XIV in France and Peter the Great in Russia, went for absolutism. They wanted all the power! They limited the political influence of nobles while maintaining their social and economic privileges. They built strong states with officials and powerful militaries. These guys were all about modernizing their nations to increase their warfare and power. ⚔️

Balance of Power

The balance of power ⚖️ was a key principle in European relations. No single country should become too powerful. This idea shaped conflict and diplomacy after the Peace of Westphalia. France, under Louis XIV, was a major concern, leading to several wars.

Whether absolutist or constitutional, governments built strong militaries using tax money. These were expensive, with standing armies, firearms, cannons, and fortifications. This led to larger states becoming more powerful, while others declined or disappeared (like Poland 🇵🇱).

Van der Meulen’s painting of the Siege of Cambrai, 1677, a French victory

Commercial and Economic Developments

Agriculture

Most people were still farmers, but agriculture changed significantly, increasing food supply. By the 18th century, Europe's population was growing.

• New Crops: The introduction of potatoes 🥔 from the Americas greatly increased food availability.

Carolus Clusius, illustration of “The Potato of the Peruvians,” 1601

• Agricultural Revolution: This involved consolidating land ownership and limiting traditional community rights. The enclosure movement in Britain turned open lands into private property, encouraging investment and new techniques. This boosted production 📈 but also forced people off the land, especially young women who moved into manufacturing.

• Overseas Goods: Other important goods from overseas included sugar, tea, silk, tobacco, rum, and coffee. These were often produced through slave labor, particularly in Latin America.

Market Economies

Enclosure was part of a larger shift towards a market economy and capitalism 💹. People produced goods for the market, not just for themselves. Investors (capitalists) organized production.

• Putting-out System: Many families produced goods like cloth 👕 at home as part of the putting-out system or cottage industry.

• Financial Innovations: Overseas trade led to new financial practices (like insurance) and institutions (like banks 🏦 and stock exchanges).

Courtyard of the Amsterdam Stock Exchange, circa 1670.

• Mercantilism: Many European states followed mercantilism, an economic policy to increase domestic production and keep profits from trade. Imperial states restricted imports and limited their colonies from producing high-value goods like sugar. The Atlantic Slave Trade peaked during this period, with huge profits for English and Dutch merchants. 💰

Final Exam Focus

Okay, let's get down to brass tacks! Here's what you really need to focus on for the exam:

• Sovereignty: Understand how this concept evolved and manifested in different forms (absolutism vs. constitutionalism).

• English Civil War and Glorious Revolution: Know the key events, causes, and consequences.

• Absolutist Monarchs: Be familiar with Louis XIV and Peter the Great.

• Balance of Power: Understand how this concept shaped European diplomacy and conflict.

• Agricultural Revolution: Know the causes and effects, including the enclosure movement.

• Market Economies: Understand the shift towards capitalism, the putting-out system, and mercantilism.

• Atlantic Slave Trade: Be aware of its impact on the European economy and society.

Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following best describes the political system of England after the Glorious Revolution? (A) Absolute Monarchy (B) Constitutional Monarchy (C) Direct Democracy (D) Theocracy

2. The enclosure movement in England primarily resulted in which of the following? (A) Increased communal land ownership (B) A decline in agricultural production (C) The rise of private property and investment (D) Greater social equality in rural areas

3. Mercantilist policies of the 17th and 18th centuries were primarily designed to: (A) Promote free trade and open markets (B) Increase domestic production and national wealth (C) Encourage the growth of international cooperation (D) Support the development of socialist economies

Free Response Question

Prompt: Analyze the ways in which both absolutism and constitutionalism shaped the development of European states in the period from 1648 to 1815. Point Breakdown:

• Thesis (1 point): Presents a thesis that makes a historically defensible claim and responds to all parts of the question. The thesis must establish a line of reasoning about the impact of absolutism and constitutionalism on European states.

• Argument Development (2 points): * Provides specific historical evidence to support an argument in response to the prompt. (1 point) * Explains how the evidence supports the argument. (1 point)

• Absolutism Analysis (2 points): * Identifies and describes at least one specific example of absolutism (e.g., Louis XIV's France, Peter the Great's Russia). (1 point) * Analyzes how absolutism shaped the development of the state (e.g., centralization of power, military expansion, control over the economy). (1 point)

• Constitutionalism Analysis (2 points): * Identifies and describes at least one specific example of constitutionalism (e.g., England after the Glorious Revolution, the Dutch Republic). (1 point) * Analyzes how constitutionalism shaped the development of the state (e.g., limitations on monarchical power, parliamentary supremacy, protection of individual rights). (1 point)

• Synthesis (1 point): Extends the argument by explaining the connections between absolutism and constitutionalism in the context of state development, or by connecting it to a different time period, geographical area, or historical context.

Short Answer Question

1. Briefly explain one way in which the Agricultural Revolution impacted European society.

2. Briefly explain one way in which the Atlantic Slave Trade impacted European economies.

3. Briefly explain one example of how the concept of the balance of power shaped European diplomacy in the 18th century.

You've got this! Remember to stay calm, read carefully, and trust your knowledge. You're ready to rock this exam! 🌟