The Age of Religious Wars

1. To what extent were the Religious and Civil Wars of the 16^th and 17^th centuries political?  
2. In what ways did the "new monarchs" of Europe continue to use religion as a tool for nation building during the age of Religious Wars?
3. Explain the rise of England and France as well as the fall of Spain.
4. In many ways, Charles V is the common factor between Northern Europe’s challenges during the 16^th century.  Analyze which events were most important during Charles V’s reign as HRE.
5. How does the Treaty of Westphalia represent both the beginning and an end of eras in Europe?

Absolutism and Constitutionalism

1. Machiavelli suggested that a ruler should behave both "like a lion" and "like a fox."  Analyze the policies of TWO of the following European rulers, indicating the degree to which they successfully followed Machiavelli's suggestions:  Elizabeth I of England, Henry IV of France, Catherine the Great of Russia, Frederick II of Prussia.
2. How were the “new” monarchs in England, France, and Spain different from their medieval counterparts?  Be sure to also discuss ways their states were also different that medieval states.
3. Explain the economic developments that shifted the center of European power from Southern Europe to Western Europe between 1450 and 1750.
4. Explain the differences between English government and French government that led to England becoming a Constitutional monarchy by 1700 and France becoming an absolutist monarchy.
5. Explain the factors which led to the rise of central and eastern European states between 1450 and 1800.
6. Peter the Great is called the Great Westernizer. To what extent was he successful economically, socially and politically?
7. Compare and contrast the goals and major policies of Peter the Great of Russia (ruled 1682-1725) with those of Frederick the Great of Prussia (ruled 1740-1786).

Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment

1. Compare and contrast the writings of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau on government.
2. Analyze the strategies, success and failures of two of the following enlightened despots in Eastern Europe.  Catherine the Great, Frederick the Great, Joseph II.
3. Was the Enlightenment a Revolution?  Explain why or why not.
4. Describe the impact of the Scientific Revolution on European thought and culture.
5. Both Jean-Baptiste Colbert and Adam Smith described how their countries could become more wealthy.  Compare and contrast their policies and success.