Unit+3-Esther+Kim

__My Revolutionary Diary-Esther Kim 2011 9G__

__Homework 11/14/11__ Enlightened Despot Poster-Esther Kim 9G

__Homework 11/9/11__ ====** 1) What is absolutism? **==== -Absolutism refers to a theory of kingship in which the monarch rules a centralized state with complete sovereignty.

====**2) Explain the justification for absolutism referred to as the 'divine right of kings'.**==== -"Divine right of kings" was the power given to monarchs directly by God. This was to say that if one was challenging the monarch, he or she was also challenging the God.

====**3) List the causes of the rise of Absolutism in Europe.**==== -There were indeed many causes of the rise of Absolutism in Europe. First, pragmatic considerations after going through a disastrous period in the 14th century allowed people to accept a strong monarch. Second, the Protestant Reformation played a role in the absolutism to rise in Europe because it made papal influence to decrease in numerous states and secular affairs needed a strong ruler who would guide those affairs. Third, 15th-century mercantile policies that led to extreme wealth also contributed to the rise of absolutism. The mercantile idea of a national, self-sufficient economy prompted production and created surpluses.

====**4) In your opinion, is absolutism a good way to rule? Can you think of a situation where it might be a positive thing?**==== -I do not think that absolutism is good or bad. In a positive light, I personally believe that absolutism is an efficient way to rule. This is because unlike some other types of governments, absolutism allows decisions to be made quickly without much delay. Thus, for instance, absolutism would be favorable when making urgent decisions. When the government has to decide on whether or not to fight against its neighboring country due to constant problems, having one absolute ruler who would make the decision for the country would be more effective. If the decision is not made quick enough, further troubles may occur. Some governments like democracy would take more time in making decisions since a lot of people get involved. Hence, in this kind of situation, absolutism appears to serve as a positive element. Even if there are people opposing the dictator, the dictator can deal with those individuals by using his absolute authority. It is likely that most people would not dare to go against the monarch because they fear the monarch's extreme power. On the other hand, in a negative light, absolutism may lead the country to decline or to fail. As the monarch is the only one who makes decisions, the wrong decisions that he makes would affect the country markedly in a negative way.

__Homework 11/3/11__ 1) Read 'The Enlightenment Spreads' pgs 202-205. Take detailed notes using CORNELL. While many monarchs were resistant to this change in thinking, some embraced it and wanted to be known as 'enlightened'. As such they have been referred to as 'Enlightened despots.' Make sure you really look at the 3 examples on pages 204-205 (Frederick the Great, Joseph II, and Catherine the Great).

-Reformed the justice system and abolished torture. -Had a notable attitude towards serving for his country ("The first servant of the state") || -Attempted to have religious freedom and abolishment of torture as well as capital punishment. -Expanded her country greatly. (Conquered the northern shore of the Black Sea & Expanded Russia westward into Poland) || -They displayed the new Enlightenment ideals in many ways. Most importantly, they used reason to rule. They did not simply do things without thinking logically. Rather, they thought logically and rationally. Moreover, they believed in the progress of human beings. In other words, they thought that humans can make improvements or advancements. Furthermore, these rulers allowed their people to have liberty. People had freedom of worship in many cases and even freedom of press in some cases.
 * 1.When and where did they rule and what were their accomplishments?**
 * || **Country** || **Accomplishments** ||
 * **Frederick the Great** || Prussia || -Provided religious freedom, low censorship, and improved education.
 * **Joseph II** || Austria || -Made legal reforms, freedom of press, freedom of worship and abolishment of serfdom. ||
 * **Catherine the Great** || Russia || -Made a commission to review Russia's laws.
 * 2.How did they reflect the new Enlightenment ideals?**

2) In your summary, using what you have learned about the Enlightenment, answer the following question: -The Enlightenment ideas influenced the art, music, and literature of the western culture. First, the Europeans got to have neoclassical art, which is the style of European art during the late 1700s that borrowed notions and themes from classical Greece and Rome. The neoclassical art works were simple and elegant. Before adopting neoclassical art, the Europeans had baroque art, which is the style of European art during the 1600s and the early 1700s that can be characterized by a big, elaborate design. Second, classical music appeared during the Enlightenment. The three most excellent composers of the classical period in music are Franz Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven. Third, the writers in the 18th century began to write novels. These novels were popular in the middle-class audience.
 * 1) **What are some of the ways that western culture changed in response to Enlightenment ideas? Be sure to mention the baroque, neoclassical, and classical styles.**

3) Think about People TODAY who you would considered to be ENLIGHTENED thinkers. Research what they have done - justify your choice __in a paragraph__. -I would consider Steve Jobs(1955-2011) as an enlightened thinker. He has done many important things in the technology field. He invented various products such as Macbooks, iPhones, iPods, and iPads in his companyㅡApple. These accomplishments, however, would not have been possible if he did not think in a new, different, and unique way. Thinking in a creative way led hi to come up with his remarkable inventions. If his thoughts were confined in a box, he would never have reached such high achievements. His inventions allow people to make progresses in their lives. Therefore, I would regard Steve Jobs as an enlightened person.

__Homework 10/27/11__ 

__Homework 10/25/11__ **Why have people decided to Occupy Wall Street, and other financial areas in major cities the world over?** Individuals are occupying the Wall Street and other financial areas to speak for the 99% of people who are economically unstable. Today, numerous people are unemployed and are poor. A lot of them lose their houses since they aren't able to pay for the mortgage. Since they are upset that the 1% of people take 80% of the wealth, they are protesting. Moreover, they are angered since the governments are using the people's money to do things such as supporting corporations.

**Who might oppose those who are occupying Wall Street or demonstrating? Why are they opposing them?** The government, or the politicians would oppose the protestors as they claim that having only some people wealthy is not their fault. Furthermore, the corporations would oppose the demonstrations since the government supports the corporations and these corporations finance the elections. Thus, the government and the politicians as well as the the corporations would go against the protestors.