Chaos to Order

Chaos to Order begins with the establishment of the Stuart dynasty under James I in 1603 and ends with the Glorious Revolution of 1688. I have used James’s daughter, Elizabeth, and her son and daughters, Rupert, Elizabeth, and Sophia, to provide a sense of continuity. The chaos referred to in the title reflects the religious/political wars; Thirty Years War and the English Civil War, and the devastating misery they left in their wake. The order in the title reflects the order of absolutism established by Louis XIV, whereby he and he alone, is the decision maker. It also reflects the order in a constitutional monarchy with the ascension of William and Mary and their willingness to uphold the Declaration of Rights. It also covers events in Japan, China, India, the Ottoman Empire, Russia, South Africa, and the American colonies. Within the political framework, the economic, religious, social, scientific, intellectual, and artistic changes of the era are included in the discussions and conversations that take place.

Chaos to Order deals with political, economic, religious, social, scientific, and artistic changes of the 17th c. Politically, it compares and contrasts the growth of absolutism under Louis XIV in France, the Tokugawa in Japan, the Qing in China, the Habsburgs in Austria and the Holy Roman Empire, and the Puritans in Massachusetts Bay Colony. It also deals with repeated attempts in England to establish a more democratic government through the execution of Charles I when he fails to abide by the Petition of Right, the establishment of a republic under Cromwell which fails, the restoration of the Stuarts with both the assurances and assumptions that they would not be foolish enough not to comply to Parliaments demands, to the overthrow of James II and acceptance of William and Mary based upon their agreement to abide by the Declaration of Rights. Certain American colonies are also highlighted as being democratic such as Pennsylvania and South Carolina, at least in terms of white colonial men. Economic factors are included in terms of the growth and effect of international trade and the concept of mercantilism, as well as the wars caused by the desire to control such trade. The expansion of the slave economy in North America, and how economic relations with the settlers negatively affected the Native Americans is also highlighted. Religion continues to be a major issue as the Roman Catholic Church tries to regain its former power through the Counter-Reformation. Much of what Europe knew came through Jesuit missionaries in India, China and Japan so they elucidate the history of those three areas. The emergence of religious controversies and the emergence of new religions are included, especially in the new British colonies in America. The effect of the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, which protected Protestants in France, and how it contributed to the growth of fear for the balance of power in Europe as well as its effect in South Africa are also included. Intellectual and scientific changes are integrated into the story. Contributions of such individuals as Descartes, Spinoza, Hobbes, and Locke are explicated as is the work of Galileo, Brahe, Keppler, Newton, Boyle, Hooke, Liebniz, Leewenhoek, Halley, and Wren. Included is the establishment of Mercenne’s philosophic club in Paris and the establishment of the Royal Society in London. The expansion of the circulation of treatises and new ideas, regardless of national borders, is an important part of the story as is the development of newspapers to expand the knowledge of the increasingly literate and growing middle class. The artistic contributions focus on the continuing influence of Italian artists and the emergence of the Dutch painters highlighting changes in subject matter and execution. The development of the opera by Lully, plays by Shakespeare, and the masque by Inigo Jones are also featured. Social issues include the first attempt to end slavery, women’s role in society, and the significance of class structure. The growth of poverty becomes extremely apparent in cities and is highlighted with the plague followed by the fire of London that destroyed homes and livelihoods. Also included is the recurrence of witchcraft and the incredible discrepancies in punishments for crimes committed. Class conflict is clearly illustrated after the English Civil War with the persecution of the Levellers who wanted a real democratic state that gave the vote to all males. To make the learning of all of this history more enjoyable, comprehensible, and lasting, I have created a novel where, through conversations or correspondence, history unfolds. The story evolves around Elizabeth, James I’s daughter, whose husband, Frederick of the Palatinate, accepts the Bohemian crown thus initiating the Thirty Years War. Her son, Rupert, was Charles’s leading cavalier during the Civil War.

Ms. Drews is writing a series of novels to compliment AP European and World History textbooks. The purpose is to better integrate material from 2-4 chapters in a textbook in order to give students a better feel for the time period, as well as making the learning of history a more enjoyable experience. Her first book, Carpe Diem!, deals with the Renaissance, Reformation, and Discovery. The second, Is Paris Worth a Mass?, deals with the religious wars in France, the dominance of Philip II in Spain, Elizabethan England, and includes important aspects of the Ottoman, Mughal, and Ming dynasties. Chaos to Order traces the development of absolutism in France and those countries that imitated Louis XIV with the growth of democracy in England culminating with the Glorious Revolution. Ms. Drews has a B.A., M.A., and M.Phil. from Columbia University and has almost four decades of teaching experience at both the high school and college level.