(DBQs) Unit 2
1. Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Protestant MovementsPrompt:
Evaluate the extent to which the Protestant Reformation, as led by Martin Luther and John Calvin, was a result of theological and political conflicts in 16th-century Europe. How did their ideas challenge traditional religious authority, and to what extent did political leaders support the Reformation for their own reasons?
Documents:
2. The Catholic Counter-ReformationPrompt:
To what extent did the Catholic Counter-Reformation succeed in addressing the challenges posed by the Protestant Reformation? Consider both religious reforms and the political actions of the Catholic Church in your response.
Documents:
3. Religious Wars: The French Wars of ReligionPrompt:
Assess the causes of the French Wars of Religion (1562–1598). To what extent did religious, political, and social factors contribute to the conflict, and how did the wars impact the future of France?
Documents:
4. Religious Wars: The Thirty Years’ WarPrompt:
Analyze the causes and effects of the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648). How did religious conflicts, dynastic struggles, and political rivalries contribute to the war, and how did the Treaty of Westphalia reshape Europe?
Documents:
5. Absolutism and Constitutionalism (c. 1648–c. 1815)Prompt:
Compare and contrast the development of absolutism in France and constitutionalism in England during the period 1648–1815. How did the political structures and ideologies of these two nations evolve, and to what extent did they reflect the broader political trends in Europe?
Documents:
6. Absolutism and Constitutionalism: The Impact of the English RevolutionPrompt:
Evaluate the significance of the English Revolution (1642–1651) in shaping the political culture of Europe. To what extent did the conflict between monarchy and parliament in England influence the development of constitutionalism and challenge the ideals of absolutism?
Documents:
1. Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Protestant MovementsPrompt:
Evaluate the extent to which the Protestant Reformation, as led by Martin Luther and John Calvin, was a result of theological and political conflicts in 16th-century Europe. How did their ideas challenge traditional religious authority, and to what extent did political leaders support the Reformation for their own reasons?
Documents:
- Excerpts from Martin Luther's "95 Theses"
- Excerpts from John Calvin's "Institutes of the Christian Religion"
- A letter from a German prince supporting Luther
- Excerpts from Catholic Church documents condemning Luther’s ideas
- Political map of Europe showing areas of Protestantism and Catholicism
- A sermon advocating for political reform in the name of Protestantism
2. The Catholic Counter-ReformationPrompt:
To what extent did the Catholic Counter-Reformation succeed in addressing the challenges posed by the Protestant Reformation? Consider both religious reforms and the political actions of the Catholic Church in your response.
Documents:
- Excerpts from the Council of Trent’s decrees
- Excerpts from Jesuit writings on missionary work
- A letter from Pope Paul III to Catholic leaders
- A pamphlet from a Catholic monarch supporting the Counter-Reformation
- Excerpts from Protestant critiques of the Counter-Reformation
- A painting of the Inquisition
3. Religious Wars: The French Wars of ReligionPrompt:
Assess the causes of the French Wars of Religion (1562–1598). To what extent did religious, political, and social factors contribute to the conflict, and how did the wars impact the future of France?
Documents:
- Excerpts from the Edict of Nantes
- A royal proclamation supporting Huguenots
- A letter from a Catholic noble during the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre
- Excerpts from Huguenot pamphlets criticizing Catholic persecution
- A map showing the territories of French Huguenots and Catholics
- A contemporary account of the political struggles between Catholic and Protestant factions
4. Religious Wars: The Thirty Years’ WarPrompt:
Analyze the causes and effects of the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648). How did religious conflicts, dynastic struggles, and political rivalries contribute to the war, and how did the Treaty of Westphalia reshape Europe?
Documents:
- Excerpts from the Peace of Westphalia
- A letter from a Catholic ruler expressing concerns over Protestant expansion
- Excerpts from a Protestant leader’s appeal for support in the war
- A map showing the territorial changes after the Treaty of Westphalia
- A contemporary account of the atrocities during the war
- Excerpts from a political treatise discussing the role of religion in statecraft
5. Absolutism and Constitutionalism (c. 1648–c. 1815)Prompt:
Compare and contrast the development of absolutism in France and constitutionalism in England during the period 1648–1815. How did the political structures and ideologies of these two nations evolve, and to what extent did they reflect the broader political trends in Europe?
Documents:
- Excerpts from the English Bill of Rights (1689)
- Excerpts from Louis XIV’s "Memoirs"
- A letter from an English parliamentarian during the English Civil War
- Excerpts from the "Edict of Nantes" and its revocation
- A political cartoon depicting the absolutism of Louis XIV
- Excerpts from John Locke’s writings on government and individual rights
6. Absolutism and Constitutionalism: The Impact of the English RevolutionPrompt:
Evaluate the significance of the English Revolution (1642–1651) in shaping the political culture of Europe. To what extent did the conflict between monarchy and parliament in England influence the development of constitutionalism and challenge the ideals of absolutism?
Documents:
- Excerpts from King Charles I’s speech before his execution
- Excerpts from the English Petition of Right (1628)
- A pamphlet advocating for the execution of the king
- Excerpts from Thomas Hobbes’ "Leviathan"
- A political pamphlet supporting parliamentary sovereignty
- A map of the Battle of Naseby and other key events during the Civil War