Review and Explore

Make Connections

1. Question

   This chapter has argued that, despite their political differences, rulers in absolutist and constitutionalist nations faced similar obstacles in the mid-seventeenth century and achieved many of the same goals. Based on the evidence presented here, do you agree with this argument? Why or why not?

   This chapter has argued that, despite their political differences, rulers in absolutist and constitutionalist nations faced similar obstacles in the mid-seventeenth century and achieved many of the same goals. Based on the evidence presented here, do you agree with this argument? Why or why not?

2. Question

   Proponents of absolutism in western Europe believed that their form of monarchical rule was fundamentally different from and superior to what they saw as the “despotism” of Russia and the Ottoman Empire. What was the basis of this belief, and how accurate do you think it was?

   Proponents of absolutism in western Europe believed that their form of monarchical rule was fundamentally different from and superior to what they saw as the “despotism” of Russia and the Ottoman Empire. What was the basis of this belief, and how accurate do you think it was?

3. Question

   What common features did the Ming empire in China and the Muslim empires of the Middle East and India share with the Russian and other European empires? How would you characterize interaction among these Eurasian empires?

   What common features did the Ming empire in China and the Muslim empires of the Middle East and India share with the Russian and other European empires? How would you characterize interaction among these Eurasian empires?