Divine Right, Absolutism, and the Enlightenment Primary Source Analysis

This primary source analysis activity on Divine Right is an excellent higher-order thinking resource for a unit on Absolute Monarchs or the Enlightenment!

The activity includes 2 primary source excerpts. The first is from England's King James I. In it, he details his reasoning for why Divine Right is justified and why Kings are like Gods on Earth.

The second source is from John Locke's Two Treatises of Government and explains why Absolutism is not a fair government and why power can only come from the consent of the governed.

Both of the primary sources are paired with analysis sheets in which students identify the argument from each author, explain their reasoning, and then provide their own analysis of James' and Locke's arguments.

Both completed answer keys and links to editable Google Doc versions of each page are included for your convenience. A directions page also includes lesson plan suggestions.

This resource can also be downloaded as part of my Absolute Monarchs and Enlightenment Complete Unit Bundle!

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