Readings:

Western Civilization, 5th Edition,  Jackson J. Spielvogel

  Chapter 13. Reformation and Religious Warfare in the Sixteenth Century

Politics and Wars of Religion in the Sixteenth Century

  Chapter 14. Europe and the World: New Encounters, 1500-1800

  Chapter 15. State Building and the Search for Order in the Seventeenth Century.

Discussion Questions:

1. What correlation is there between overseas expansion and economic, social, and political development in Europe?

2. What role did religion play as a motivation in the age of discovery? Was it as important a motive as economics? Explain with examples.

3. Were the "politiques" ahead of their time?  What was Henry IV really saying when he said the "Paris is well worth a mass?"

4. No one in modern history held as much power for as long as Louis XIV.  how did he rule France?  how did he increase his power through (a) military and administrative reforms, (b) economic and financial policies, and (c) religious policy?  What role did France play in foreign affairs during his reign?

5. Given its relatively small population and lack of obvious resources, why was the Dutch Republic so successful in establishing a profitable overseas empire?

6. Why did Parliament come into conflict with Charles I? How did the special nature of Parliament make its resistance effective?

7.  Compare the reigns of Frederick William of Brandenburg-Prussia and Peter the Great of Russia. How are their policies similar? How are they different?