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DOCUMENT 1
The following excerpt is from The Prince, written by Machiavelli, an Italian politician, during the fifteenth century.
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… 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.
What does Machiavelli believe about human nature?
Why does Machiavelli think it is better as a ruler to make your subjects fear you, rather than love you?
Do you think Machiavelli would make a good politician today? Why or why not?
DOCUMENT 2
These ideas were expressed by King James I of England in 1609.
The state of monarchy is the supremest thing on 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…God hath power to create or destroy, make or unmake at His pleasure, to give life or sent death, to judge all and to be judged nor accountable to none, to raise low things and make high things low at His pleasure… And the like power have kings...
Why does King James I believe that kings are like God?
Do you think King James I might be biased in his views about how kings are like God?
DOCUMENT 3
The following excerpt was written by Jean Rousset de Missy, a French writer and historian who wrote a biography of Peter the Great, but never actually traveled to Russia or met Peter. He discusses changes made to Russian fashions under Peter’s rule.
The tsar labored at the reform of fashions, or, more properly speaking, of dress. Until that time the Russians had always worn long beards, which they cherished and preserved with much care… With these long beards they wore the hair very short… The tsar, in order to reform that custom, ordered that gentlemen, merchants, and other subjects, except priests and peasants, should each pay a tax of one hundred rubles a year if they wished to keep their beards; the commoners had to pay one kopek each. Officials were stationed at the gates of the towns to collect that tax, which the Russians regarded as an enormous sin on the part of the tsar and as a thing which tended to the abolition of their religion.
From the reform in beards we may pass to that of clothes. Their garments, like those of the Orientals, were very long, reaching to the heel. The tsar issued an ordinance abolishing that costume, commanding all the boyars [i.e., the nobles] and all those who had positions at court to dress after the French fashion, and likewise to adorn their clothes with gold or silver according to their means.
A suit of clothes cut according to the new fashion was hung at the gate of the city, with a decree [forcing] all except peasants to have their clothes made on this model, upon penalty of being forced to kneel and have all that part of their garments which fell below the knee cut off, or pay two grives every time they entered the town with clothes in the old style.
Is this a primary or a secondary source?
How did the tsar force the Russian people to do what he wanted?
How did the appearance of the Russian people change under Peter? Why did the tsar force the Russian people to change their appearance?
DOCUMENT 4
The following is a chart that shows the debt of the royal family of France between 1643 and 1715. Louis XIV reigned from 1643 until 1715.
Is this a primary source or a secondary source?
How did the debt of the royal family change during the time that Louis XIV was in power?
Based on what you have read about Louis XIV, what is the explanation for the changes shown in this graph? Please respond in one paragraph.
DOCUMENT 5
In the painting on the left, Louis XIV's intendants show him plans to build the Canal du Midi. A canal is a man-made channel of water, like a river. The map on the right shows the system of canals that were created in France under Louis XIV.
How does the picture on the left show the role of intendants in Louis' court?
How would these canals be important in building up the French economy?
DOCUMENT 6
The photograph on the left shows an aerial view of Peter the Great's palace, Peterhof, also known as the Russian Versailles, which was built in 1725. The painting on the right shows an aerial view of Versailles, Louis XIV's palace, which was built in 1680.
What similarities do you notice between the two buildings?
Would these two images support the thesis "Versailles became the model for royal dwellings in Europe"? Why or why not?
What other evidence would you want to better support this thesis?
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