Lesson Plan | Traditional Methodology | Absolutism

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to provide students with a clear and concise overview of the learning objectives for the lesson. By establishing the main points of focus, students will better understand the importance of Absolutism and how it shaped the political and social structure of modern Europe. This will also help guide students' attention during the expository explanation, ensuring they know exactly what to expect and what skills will be developed throughout the lesson.

Main Objectives

1. Characterize the structures of absolutist monarchies in modern Europe.

2. Explain the role and responsibilities of sovereigns within the absolutist context.

Introduction

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to contextualize students on the topic of Absolutism, providing a historical background that will facilitate understanding of the concepts that will be covered throughout the lesson. By presenting a rich and engaging context, students will be more prepared and motivated to absorb the subsequent information, understanding the relevance of the subject both in the past and in its application to current political events and structures.

Context

Begin by explaining that Absolutism was a predominant political system in Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries. During this period, various European countries, such as France, Spain, and Portugal, were governed by monarchs who held absolute power over their territories and subjects. These kings and queens had centralized authority, making decisions without needing to consult parliaments or other representative bodies. Emphasize that this concentration of power was justified by theories such as the Divine Right of Kings, which asserted that the authority of monarchs was granted directly by God.

Curiosities

An interesting curiosity to engage students is to mention King Louis XIV of France, also known as the 'Sun King.' He is often cited as the classic example of an absolutist monarch. Louis XIV built the magnificent Palace of Versailles, which not only served as his residence but also as a symbol of the power and opulence of absolutist monarchy. His famous phrase 'L'État, c'est moi' ('I am the State') perfectly encapsulates the essence of Absolutism.

Development

Duration: (50 - 60 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to deepen students' understanding of Absolutism by addressing in detail its theories, characteristics, historical examples, and administrative practices. By the end of this section, students should be able to identify and explain the key elements of the absolutist system, as well as understand the impact of this form of government on modern Europe. Resolving the questions in the classroom will allow for the consolidation of the presented concepts and stimulate students' critical thinking.

Covered Topics

1.  Theories of Absolutism: Explain the main theories that justified Absolutism, such as the Divine Right of Kings, which claimed that the authority of the monarch was granted directly by God and, therefore, was above any challenge. 2.  Characteristics of Absolutist Monarchies: Detail the central characteristics of absolutist monarchies, including the centralization of power, the absence of parliaments or their subordination to the monarch, and the creation of a bureaucracy loyal to the sovereign. 3.  Examples of Absolutist Monarchs: Discuss specific examples of absolutist monarchs such as Louis XIV of France, known as the 'Sun King', who consolidated royal power and symbolized the opulence of Absolutism with the Palace of Versailles. 4. ️ Politics and Administration: Explain how absolutist monarchs administered their kingdoms, including tax collection, control over the nobility, maintenance of standing armies, and management of international relations. 5.  Culture and Propaganda: Analyze the role of culture and propaganda in Absolutism, such as the patronage of the arts and the construction of grand architectural works to glorify the reign and reinforce the authority of the monarch.

Classroom Questions

1. Explain how the theory of the Divine Right of Kings justified the authority of absolutist monarchs. 2. What were the main characteristics of absolutist monarchies in modern Europe? 3. Give examples of strategies used by absolutist monarchs to centralize and maintain power in their kingdoms.

Questions Discussion

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The purpose of this stage of the lesson plan is to consolidate the knowledge acquired by students through discussion and reflection on the presented questions, allowing them to apply what they have learned and develop a deeper understanding of the concepts of Absolutism. This interaction also provides a space to clarify doubts and promote critical thinking, ensuring a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.

Discussion

• Theory of the Divine Right of Kings: Explain that the theory of the Divine Right of Kings stated that the power of monarchs was granted directly by God, which legitimized their absolute authority and made any challenge a divine affront. This theory was used to justify the centralization of power and the absence of limits to royal authority.

• Characteristics of Absolutist Monarchies: Detail the main characteristics of absolutist monarchies, such as the centralization of power in the hands of the monarch, the subordination or absence of parliaments, the creation of a bureaucracy loyal to the monarch, and control over the nobility and armed forces. Emphasize the importance of these characteristics for the maintenance of absolute power.

• Strategies for Centralization and Power Maintenance: Give examples of strategies used by absolutist monarchs, such as efficient tax collection, maintenance of standing armies, direct management of international relations, and the use of propaganda and patronage of the arts to glorify the reign and reinforce the authority of the monarch. Cite Louis XIV and the Palace of Versailles as an emblematic example of these strategies.

Student Engagement

1. How did the theory of the Divine Right of Kings impact the subjects' view of the monarch's authority? 2. In what way did the centralization of power contribute to the stability or instability of absolutist kingdoms? 3. What are the similarities and differences between the administration of absolutist kingdoms and modern forms of government? 4. How did the construction of grand architectural works, such as the Palace of Versailles, help consolidate the power of absolutist monarchs? 5. What was the role of culture and propaganda in maintaining the power of absolutist sovereigns?

Conclusion

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to summarize and consolidate the main points addressed during the lesson, reinforcing students' understanding of the topic. Additionally, by connecting theory with practice and highlighting the relevance of the subject, the aim is to demonstrate the importance of the studied content for a broader understanding of history and its application in contemporary contexts.

Summary

• Absolutism was a predominant political system in Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries, with monarchs holding absolute power.
• The theory of the Divine Right of Kings justified the authority of monarchs, asserting that their power was granted by God.
• Characteristics of absolutist monarchies included centralization of power, absence or subordination of parliaments, and a bureaucracy loyal to the monarch.
• Examples of absolutist monarchs include Louis XIV of France, who symbolized Absolutism with the Palace of Versailles and the phrase 'L'État, c'est moi.'
• Absolutist monarchs administered their kingdoms through efficient tax collection, maintenance of standing armies, and direct control over the nobility and international relations.
• Propaganda and patronage of the arts were used to glorify the reign and reinforce the authority of the monarch.

The lesson connected theory to practice by presenting specific examples of monarchs and their administrative strategies, such as Louis XIV and the Palace of Versailles. This allowed students to visualize how the theories of Absolutism were applied in practice and how these practices affected the administration of kingdoms and the lives of subjects.

The study of Absolutism is important for understanding the formation of modern states and the evolution of forms of government. Additionally, the strategies of centralization of power and the use of propaganda to reinforce authority are practices that can still be observed in various current political contexts, making the topic relevant for a critical understanding of the present.