The document discusses the origins of political authority during the Early Modern period in Europe and the United States. It asks students to consider where monarchs believed their right to rule came from, compared to the president and other officials in the US who get their authority from the people. The document also prompts exploring key events like Columbus' arrival in the Americas, Copernicus developing his theory, and whether Newton and Locke could have known each other based on their lifetimes. It concludes by asking students to write their own point of view.