#AP European History: State Building & Absolutism - The Night Before Review 🚀

Hey! Let's get you prepped and confident for your AP Euro exam. We're going to break down the key concepts of state-building and absolutism, focusing on what's really important. Think of this as your ultimate cheat sheet! 😉

#I. Contextual Causes: Setting the Stage for Absolutism

#A. The Rise of Monarchical Sovereignty

• The big idea: A shift towards monarchical sovereignty fueled the rise of absolutist rulers like Louis XIV and Peter the Great.
• Absolutism emerged during a period of significant change and instability in Europe.
• New Monarchs of the 16th and 17th centuries had already consolidated power, laying the groundwork for absolutism.

#B. The Divine Right of Kings

• Jacques Bossuet 👑 developed the Divine Right of Kings theory.
• This theory asserted that a ruler's authority came directly from God, granting them both political and religious power.

#C. The Aftermath of the Thirty Years’ War

• The Thirty Years’ War (ended 1648) created political and religious chaos and uncertainty.

• The war led to increased military power for rulers, boosting their prestige and authority.

  Louis XIV, a prime example of an absolute monarch, used his power to control all aspects of French life.

#II. Contesting Sovereignty: Internal and External Challenges

#A. Shifting Power Dynamics

• States struggled to maintain power both internally and externally.
• The Catholic Church's political power declined post-Renaissance, leading to new political institutions and power contests.

#B. Internal Conflicts and Minority Groups

• Various minority groups challenged the sovereignty of governments:
  • Celtic regions (Scotland, Ireland, France): Gaelic language and distinct cultures.
  • Dutch Revolt: The Dutch fought for independence from the Spanish Habsburgs, leading to the Dutch Republic.
  • Defenestration of Prague: Czech resistance against the Holy Roman Empire, a key event leading to the Thirty Years' War.
    • Jan Hus: A symbol of Czech resistance, who opposed the Church and was burned at the stake.

#III. Rise of Absolutism: Centralizing Power

#A. Defining Absolutism

• Absolutism: The consolidation of sovereign power into a single ruler or monarch.
• Absolute rulers controlled every aspect of the state.

#B. Key Thinkers of Absolutism

• Thomas Hobbes: Argued in Leviathan that humanity's natural state is chaotic, requiring a ruler for security.
• Jacques Bossuet: (Again!) Championed the Divine Right of Kings, emphasizing the monarch's supreme authority.

#C. Challenges to Absolute Monarchs

• Religion: The Catholic Church's wealth and power clashed with the absolute monarch's authority. Monarchs sought to control religious institutions.
• Nobility: Nobles viewed the consolidation of power as a threat to their own prestige and influence.

#IV. Final Exam Focus

#A. High-Priority Topics

-   **Monarchical Sovereignty & Absolutism**: Understand the causes, key figures, and challenges.
-   **Divine Right of Kings**: Know the theory and its implications for political power.
-   **Thirty Years' War**: Grasp its impact on the political landscape and the rise of absolutism.
-   **Internal Conflicts**: Understand how minority groups and religious tensions challenged state power.

#B. Common Question Types

• Multiple Choice: Expect questions on the causes and effects of absolutism, key figures, and the impact of conflicts like the Thirty Years' War.
• Short Answer Questions (SAQs): Be prepared to analyze the relationship between absolutism and religious or social conflicts.
• Free Response Questions (FRQs): Practice writing essays that compare and contrast the methods used by different absolute monarchs to consolidate their power.

#C. Last-Minute Tips

• Time Management: Don't spend too long on any single question. Move on and come back if you have time.
• Common Pitfalls: Avoid generalizations. Use specific examples and historical evidence to support your arguments.
• Strategies: Outline your FRQs before you start writing. This will help you stay organized and focused.

#V. Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following best describes the political theory of the Divine Right of Kings? (a) Rulers derive their authority from the consent of the governed. (b) Rulers are chosen by a council of nobles. (c) Rulers receive their power directly from God. (d) Rulers are subject to the laws of the land.

2. The Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) is best described as a: (a) conflict fought primarily between England and France. (b) religious and political struggle involving most of Europe. (c) war fought to establish a unified German state. (d) series of colonial conflicts in the Americas.

Free Response Question (FRQ)

Analyze the ways in which both Louis XIV of France and Peter the Great of Russia used their power to consolidate their rule. (7 points)

Point-by-Point Scoring Breakdown:

• Thesis (1 point): A clear, historically defensible thesis that addresses the prompt. Example: Both Louis XIV and Peter the Great employed various strategies, including centralizing administrative control and manipulating the nobility, to consolidate their rule, though their specific methods differed due to their unique contexts.
• Evidence (3 points):
  • Louis XIV (1 point): Examples such as the construction of Versailles, the use of intendants, and the revocation of the Edict of Nantes.
  • Peter the Great (1 point): Examples such as the Table of Ranks, the establishment of St. Petersburg, and the control of the Russian Orthodox Church.
  • General Evidence (1 point): Additional evidence that shows understanding of the context of absolutism, such as the Divine Right of Kings or the impact of the Thirty Years' War.
• Analysis (2 points):
  • Louis XIV (1 point): Explanation of how Louis XIV's actions centralized power and reduced the influence of the nobility.
  • Peter the Great (1 point): Explanation of how Peter the Great’s reforms modernized Russia and centralized his authority.
• Conclusion (1 point): A concluding statement that summarizes the main points and offers a final insight into the nature of absolutism.

You've got this! Go get that 5! 💪