Absolutism

30 Years War

A major European conflict, weakened the Holy Roman Empire, ended with Treaty of Westphalia.

Absolutism

System where monarch holds all power, no checks from parliament or law.

Bourbons

French royal family, known for Louis XIV and strong central government.

Bureaucracy

System for managing government through departments run by appointed officials.

Cardinal Richelieu

Adviser to Louis XIII, strengthened royal power and weakened nobles.

Catherine the Great

Russian empress, expanded territory, promoted Western reforms.

Cavaliers

Supported King Charles I during English Civil War.

Centralization

Concentration of power in a central authority, typical of absolutist states.

Charles I

King of England, executed after losing the Civil War.

Charles II

Restored to English throne, known for period called Restoration.

Common law

English legal system based on precedent and judicial decisions.

Divine Right

Belief monarch's authority comes from God, not the people.

Edict of Nantes

Law issued by Henry IV, gave religious freedom to French Protestants.

Elizabeth I

English queen, defeated Spanish Armada, encouraged arts.

English Bill of Rights (1689)

Limited monarchy, protected rights of Parliament and citizens.

English Civil War

War between supporters of king (Cavaliers) and Parliament (Roundheads).

Ferdinand and Isabella

United Spain, supported Columbus, began Spanish Inquisition.

Frederick the Great

Prussian king, strengthened military, promoted Enlightenment reforms.

Glorious Revolution

Peaceful transfer of power in England, William & Mary accepted limits.

Habeas Corpus

Law requiring prisoner to be brought before judge, limits king's power.

Hapsburgs

Powerful family, ruled Austria, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire.

Hohenzollerns

Prussian ruling family, built strong state through military and bureaucracy.

Huguenots

French Protestants, faced persecution, protected by Edict of Nantes.

James II

English king, overthrown in Glorious Revolution for being Catholic.

Limited (Constitutional) Monarchy

Monarch shares power with parliament, laws limit authority.

Louis XIV

"Sun King" of France, built Versailles, made France strongest country in Europe.

Magna Carta

Document that limited English king's power, foundation for future rights.

Maria Theresa

Austrian empress, strengthened empire, fought War of Austrian Succession.

Miguel de Cervantes

Spanish writer, wrote Don Quixote.

Netherlands

Gained independence from Spain, became center of trade and finance.

Oliver Cromwell ("Lord Protector")

Led Parliament's forces, ruled England as dictator.

Peter the Great

Russian czar, modernized and westernized Russia.

Phillip II

Spanish king, supported Catholicism, lost Armada to England.

Restoration

Return of monarchy under Charles II after Cromwell's rule.

Romanov

Russian royal family, ruled for over 300 years.

Roundheads

Supported Parliament during English Civil War.

Spanish Armada

Fleet sent by Phillip II to invade England, defeated by Elizabeth I.

St. Petersburg

City built by Peter the Great, symbol of Russia's westernization.

Stuarts

English royal family after Tudors, involved in civil wars and revolutions.

Tudors

English royal family, produced Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.

Versailles

Palace built by Louis XIV, symbol of royal power.

Westernization

Adopting Western European culture and technology, promoted by Peter the Great.

William & Mary

Accepted English throne, signed Bill of Rights, started constitutional monarchy.