AP European History: Absolutism, Economic Development, and the Dutch Golden Age

Cardinal Mazarin

Chief minister during Louis XIV's early reign who continued policies of centralization; provoked the Fronde, influencing Louis XIV's determination to strengthen absolutism.

The Fronde

Civil wars (1648–1653) by nobles and the Parisian population against Mazarin; its failures convinced Louis XIV that a centralized monarchy was necessary to maintain order and limit noble influence.

Louis XIV

French monarch who expanded central control over administration, finance, military, and religion, exemplifying absolutism by reducing noble political influence and concentrating authority in the monarchy.

Versailles

Royal palace and center of French government and court life; kept nobles under the king's supervision, distracted them with court rituals, and displayed royal wealth and power.

Lettres de cachet

Royal orders to imprison or exile without trial; allowed Louis XIV to silence opponents and bypass judicial processes, strengthening absolute authority.

Intendants

Royal officials who managed provincial administration and economic policies, extending central control into the provinces and reducing regional influence.

Jean-Baptiste Colbert

Finance minister who reformed taxation and promoted mercantilism, increasing royal revenue, supporting the army and Versailles, and strengthening the monarchy's economic power.

Mercantilism (French Absolutism)

Economic strategy emphasizing wealth, exports, and trade regulation; promoted French industries, expanded colonial trade, and increased resources under the crown.

The Parlement of Paris

Judicial institution that resisted royal policies; its ability to challenge edicts was weakened by lettres de cachet.

Edict of Nantes

Edict issued by Henry IV granting limited religious freedom to Huguenots; its revocation in 1685 ended protections and advanced religious uniformity under Louis XIV.

Huguenots

French Protestants whose forced conversions and migration cost France educated people and economic opportunities.

Dragonnades

The practice of housing royal soldiers in Huguenot homes to force conversions; used military force to enforce conformity and reinforce royal authority.

Gallicanism

Belief in French royal religious authority independent of the pope, which reduced papal influence and extended royal control over church affairs.

Professional standing army

Permanent military force maintained in both peacetime and wartime; gave Louis XIV a military instrument directly controlled by the crown, reducing dependence on nobles.

Second Agricultural Revolution

Period of agricultural innovations (crop rotation, selective breeding, fodder crops) that increased productivity, supported population growth and urbanization, and laid the groundwork for industrialization.

Crop rotation

Alternating crops to improve soil fertility and yields, increasing productivity and reducing the need for fallow land.

Enclosure Movement

Consolidation of land into larger, more efficient farms in England; increased food production but displaced small farmers and reduced common land, pushing laborers to cities.

Tenant farming

Cultivating land owned by another landowner; functioned as part of the agricultural system and rural labor.

Cottage industry

Home-based production using materials from merchants; allowed cheap, flexible production, expanded textiles, and contributed to industrialization.

Putting-out system

System where merchants supplied raw materials to households and collected finished goods, bypassing guilds and meeting growing domestic and export demand.

Market economy

Exchange of goods and services driven by supply and demand; supported trade, private investment, and Europe's global role.

Consumer culture

Purchasing and consuming goods as part of daily life and identity; overseas goods (tea, coffee, sugar, porcelain) changed lifestyles and signaled wealth and status.

Joint-stock company

Commercial enterprise in which investors buy shares; enabled larger-scale overseas trade and modern capitalism.

Amsterdam Bank of Exchange

Dutch bank established in 1609 for currency exchange; facilitated trade and made Amsterdam a financial center.