Today's
main focus will be "Absolute Monarchs on Trial." We'd like to hear from
all of the prosecution witnesses today. Before we start the trial,
however, we'll touch base of the events that took place in England in
your last reading.
The English Civil War: We'll
take a look at these events from the perspective of a British student
below. For now, however, let's be sure that you are clear on the main
points from this section.
- The British monarchs and Parliament had long struggled over issues of money and debt.
- Charles I grew increasingly unpopular as he imposed heavy fees and fines on the people.
- In 1641, Parliament tried again to limit the King's power.
- From 1642-1649, the English Civil War was fought
- Those supporting Charles were called Royalists or Cavaliers.
- Those opposing the King were the Puritans also called "Roundheads."
- The forces of Parliament gained the upper hand under Oliver Cromwell and his New Model Army.
- In 1649, Charles was put on trial for treason and publicly executed.
In the years after the English Civil War, there were several more events worth noting.
- Oliver Cromwell ruled England as a sort of military dictator from 1649 to 1658.
- The Puritans tried to bring many reforms to English society.
- Charles II (son of Charles I) was offered the crown in the "Restoration."
- Parliament passed a habeas corpus law in 1679.
- Charles had no heir, so power passed to his Catholic brother James II.
- William and Mary ended fears of a line of Catholic monarchs in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
- England became a constitutional monarchy, and the office of prime minister came to hold the power of policy making for the country.
"Absolute Monarchs on Trial"
THE CHARGES: The
Absolute Monarchs of Europe are charged with: ignoring the needs
and well-being of the people, bankrupting the state, pursuing selfish
foreign policies and harming the futures of their states.First, an introduction of the six defendants:
- Philip II of Spain (King)
- Louis XIV of France (King)
- Maria Theresa of Austria (Empress)
- Frederick the Great of Prussia (King)
- Peter the Great of Russia (Czar)
- Charles I of England (King)
Today, we'll hear the testimony of these prosecution witnesses:
- Dutch merchant
- Spanish sailor from the Armada
- French peasant
- French soldier from War of Spanish Succession
- French nobleman
- Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church
- Russian serf
- Russian laborer building St. Petersburg
- Oliver Cromwell
- Member of English Parliament
- Scottish Presbyterian soldier
- Austrian Protestant merchant
- Prussian soldier
Tomorrow, we'll begin with the defense witnesses and then hear from the monarchs:
- Cardinal Richelieu
- Jean Baptiste Colbert
- Thomas Hobbes
- Niccolo Machiavelli
Evaluation:
As mentioned, all witnesses are expected to have a speech of at least
two minutes. In this speech, it should be made clear why you
oppose/support the idea of absolute monarchy, as well as one or more of
the specific absolute monarchs. Your story can be creative, but it
should also be consistent with reality. In addition, you will receive
credit for being an active participant in questioning and deliberating.
(The speeches of the six defendants can be more centered on the issue
of how each ruler made effective use of their power as absolute monarch
for the good of their country.)
The English Civil War "Across the Pond":
We'll take a quick look at the English Civil War as it might be studied
over in Great Britain. I've found some online resources largely
designed for students in "Year 8," meaning they are 11 and 12. Sounds
like you should be able to handle them...
War - This is a pretty interesting site put together by a British television station. You can find a lot here by browsing around.
The Long Term Causes of the Civil Wars:
You don't need to do the cutting and sorting to understand this
activity. Instead, look at examples of how the causes fell into the
categories of money, religion and Parliament.
The English Civil War:
You might learn a little by doing these activities, but you'll probably
mostly learn that you are glad not to be in the British equivalent of
middle school...
What sort of man was Oliver Cromwell? -
This is a sort of DBQ type activity. You don't need to answer the
questions, but reading the sources will give you a feel for some
various perspectives on Oliver Cromwell.
HOMEWORK for tomorrow - Wednesday, November 11th:
Please
start your reading in Chapter 22. Read Section 1, "The Scientific
Revolution." (pp. 623 - 628) We'll keep doing the quizzes, and we are back to fill-in-the-blank.
We'll
conclude our "Absolute Monarchs on Trial" simulation tomorrow, so be
ready to present if you have yet to do so. Of course, everyone should
be ready to ask questions and deliberate as well.
