1. What was the absolute monarchy? How did it succeed in France and fail in England?
Absolute monarchy is a form of government in which the head of the state is a monarch, a king or a prince. The monarch holds an unrestricted power in both the public and private spheres, although the latter is tempered by traditions, religion and the clergy. The monarch is the judge, the head of state, and the legislator, but while despotism is underpinned by evil and paganism, absolute monarchy is associated with religion, particularly Christian religion. This form of government originated immediately before the Reformation era and into the Westphalian years. It is represented by the monarchies that existed in Hispanic Austria, the old France, the Netherlands and Prussia (Stahl 317). A contrast can be made between the absolute monarchy in France and England because while it as successful in the former it was a failure in the latter.
The reason for the success of absolute monarchy in France was that Louis XIV effectively wore the velvet glove over his iron fists, so to speak. Using coercion tempered by extending friendly hands to the elite, Louis XIV was able to implement his absolutist measures all over France. The people did not object to such measures because they were effective in restoring order (Swann 14). As a result, France became established as a great military power and there was an evident growth of the French culture during his reign although the king had the absolute power to tax the people and arrest any person without due process (Campbell 372). The absolute monarchy in England, however, was a different story. Charles I attempted to impose absolute monarchy in England in the 17th century, but failed. Instead, he was captured and beheaded after the success of the revolt by the Parliament. The people themselves rejected absolutism and believed that monarchs should rule in accordance to the Constitution and established rules (Sommerville 234)
2. How can the scientific revolution be seen as a conflict between authority and evidence?
Between the 16th and the 17th centuries a phenomenon known as the Scientific Revolution emerged. It was characterized as a change in the way people processed inquiries. Observation and experimentation became the process through which conclusions about phenomena were reached. Scientists were born and many great works were done (Dyke 7).
It could be said that there is an inherent tension between science and religion and this was illustrated by the Scientific Revolution. Science requires proof and to do examines the natural or things that can be seen by the naked eye or observed by the senses. On the other hand, religion necessarily is engaged in the examination of the supernatural or those which cannot be seen or heard by the senses. The conflict was particularly illustrated by the case of Copernicus who in 16th century theorized that the earth as not flat but actually round and moreover, that the universe did not revolve around the earth, but around the sun. It was felt that this perspective ran counter to the teachings of the Bible – that the earth was the center of the universe (Argyle 1).
This tension was aggravated hen an increasing number of scholars began to apply scientific process in the study of scriptures. A slew of biblical criticism ensued with many scholars questioning the validity of the Bible and its authors pointing out that biblical claims were exaggerated, untrue and mythological in nature (Yunkin n.d.). As earlier stated, the tension between science and religion is inherent because of the opposing perspectives from which these subjects are approached. While science abides by empiricism finding conclusions only through observation of things or phenomena that can only be viewed and felt by the senses, religion is naturally anchored upon faith in the unknown. There is, therefore, no point at which these rwo perspectives can meet.
3. Describe the French Revolution evolution from moderation to terror to empire
In the late 1700s during the reign of Louie XVI, events unfurled that gave rise to a revolution. The French Revolution happened because of political, social and economic reasons. The Enlightenment Period saw the emergence of philosophers ho criticized the government pointing out its excesses and failures. The confluence of events led to the revolution whose main goal is to protest inequalities in society. The National Assembly as formed constituted by the French public. Thereupon, things went out of control. Citizens took to the streets and stormed the Bastille to take hold of arms and used them to attack enemies. In the countryside, landlords were attacked by peasants until the National Assembly declared them free from their contracts. A document called Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen by revolting citizens declaring among others the freedom of the French people (McCannon 288).
The peace that was generated by the Declaration was disturbed by infighting by Assembly members and there were rumbling from other sectors from society who felt left out by the revolutionaries. On the other hand, neighboring countries felt that the events in France could escalate and affect them. Austria and Prussia demanded the reinstitution of Louie the XVI to the French throne. The revolutionaries declared war against these countries, and executed the king. As France was about to be defeated by Austria and Prussia, a moderate sector of the French revolutionaries overthrew the leaders of the extremist group and attempted to stabilize conditions. This did not last, however, as the new leader put more than 15000 people under the guillotine to rid potential enemies. He was eventually arrested and executed (McCannon 290).
Works Cited
Argyle, Michael. Psychology and Religion: An Introduction. Routledge, 2005. Print
Campbell, Kenneth L. Western Civilization: A Global and Comparative Approach. M.E. Sharpe.
Dyke, Elizabeth. Scientific Revolution DBA. Social Studies School Service. 2005. Print.
McCannon, John. Barron's AP World History. Barron's Educational Series, 2014. Print.
Sommerville, JP. Royalists and Patriots: Politics and Ideology in England, 1603-1640. Routledge. 2014. Print.
Stahl, Frederick Julius. The Doctrine of State and the Principles of State Law. WordBridge Publishing. 2009. Print.
Swann, Julian. Provincial Power and Absolute Monarchy: The Estates General of Burgundy, 1661-1790. Cambridge University Press. 2003. Print.
Yurkin, Sr., Joseph. Life is Short -My Friend: Why be in the passing lane on your way to death. Xlibris Corporation, 2014. Print.
