Unit 3: Absolutism & Constitutionalism

James I of England

1566-1625

• Previous king of Scotland who became king after Elizabeth I died with no heir

• supporter of divine right and absolutism

• wanted to unite England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales despite their religious differences

Divine Right of Kings

Doctrine that states that the right of ruling comes from God and not people's consent

• rebellion against king is rebellion against God

Louis XIII of France

Bourbon king of France and son of Henry IV who was King of France from 1610-1643. Probably more famous for his adviser, the Cardinal Richelieu and the growing centralization of power to the French monarchy during his reign.

Intendants

French government agents who supervised the collection of taxes, the financing of public works, and the provisioning of the army. Louis XIV handpicked an intendant for each region to represent his rule against entrenched local interests such as parlements, provincial estates, and noble governors.

• crucial for implementing Louis XIV’s royal policies

Fronde

A series of violent uprisings during the early reign of Louis XIV triggered by growing royal control and increased taxation

• inspires Louis XIV to rule with absolute control

Louis XIV of France

1638-1715

• Known as the "Sun King", he was an absolute monarch that completely controlled France (best example of an absolute monarch)

• became king at 5 years old and ruled for 72 years (longest reigning European monarch in history)

• adopted the sun as his emblem and symbol of his power

• "L'etat, c'est moi" (I am the state)

• built the Palace of Versailles to symbolize his absolute power and to bring the nobles under his control

• Religious control via the Edict of Fontainebleau 1685, which revoked the Edict of Nantes (loss of religious toleration)

• excessive warfare that expanded French borders but resulted in crippling debt and an incredibly weak economy

English Civil War

1642-1649

• Conflict between Stuart monarchy and Parliament

• James I and Charles I favored absolute rule and disregarded Parliament

• conflict had both religious and political causes

• ended with the execution of Charles I

• checked the power of the monarch and delivered a blow to the theory of divine right

• led to the Glorious Revolution and English Bill of Rights

Charles I of England

1600-1649

• son of James I

• supporter of divine right and absolutism

• numerous power struggles with Parliament as well as religious disagreements with them

• adjourned Parliament and did not call them for 11 years

• provoked English Civil War

• convicted of treason and executed in 1649

Petition of Right

1628

• A document drawn up by Parliament's House of Commons listing grievances against King Charles I and extending Parliament's powers while limiting the king's. It gave Parliament authority over taxation, declared that free citizens could not be arrested without cause, declared that soldiers could not be quartered in private homes without compensation, and said that martial law cannot be declared during peacetime.

William Laud

Archbishop of Canterbury (1633-1645) and religious advisor to King Charles I in England. He tried to force the Scottish to use the English Book of Common Prayer. His persecution of Puritans and other religious dissidents resulted in his trial and execution by the House of Commons during the English Civil War.

Long Parliament

(1640-1648) desperate for money after Scottish invasion of northern England-Charles finally agreed to demands by Parliament: Parliament could not be dissolved w/o its own consent; had to meet a min. of once every 3 years; ship money abolished; leaders of persecution of Puritans to be tried and executed; Star Chamber abolished; common law courts supreme to king's courts; refused funds to raise army to defeat Irish revolt-Puritans came to represent majority in Parliament

Oliver Cromwell

1599-1658

• English military, political, and religious (Puritan) figure who led the Parliamentarian victory in the English Civil War (1642-1649) and called for the execution of Charles I. As lord protector of England from 1653-1658, he ruled as a dictator.

Rump Parliament

The Cromwell-controlled Parliament that proclaimed England a republic and abolished the House of Lords and the monarchy after Charles I was killed

Stuart Restoration

the period of Charles II's rule over England from 1660 to 1685 after the collapse of Oliver Cromwell's government

Charles II of England

1630-1685

• Became king of England after the fall of Oliver Cromwell (Stuart Restoration)

• learned the lessons of his predecessors (don't mess with Parliament)

• religious toleration, but leaned towards Catholics

• launched new foreign policy ventures to challenge the Dutch for commercial leadership of Europe

James II of England

1633-1701

• Final Stuart king

• Catholic and had a Catholic heir…trouble for Protestant England!

• Parliament was concerned by his Catholic and absolutist tendencies

• abdicated in favor of William and Mary in 1688

John Locke

17th century English philosopher who opposed the Divine Right of Kings and that government's only purpose was to protect peoples' natural rights to life, liberty, and property. He used the notion of a social contract to provide a foundation for constitutionalism. He thought people were reasonable and the state of nature peaceful

Glorious Revolution

A reference to the political events of 1688-1689, when James II abdicated his throne and was replaced by his daughter Mary and her husband, Prince William of Orange

• given the name "Glorious Revolution" because no one was killed during this regime change

Thomas Hobbes

English materialist and political philosopher who justified absolute authority as the only kind of government that could resolve problems caused by the selfishness of human beings (1588-1679). He believed human life in a state of nature was "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short." He believed people give up personal liberty for security. Social contract = absolute authority protects people's rights.

William and Mary

King and Queen of England from 1689 to 1702. They were placed on the throne as a result of the Glorious Revolution of 1688, and ruled as limited constitutional monarchs after agreeing to the English Bill of Rights

• Mary was daughter of James II and William was her Dutch husband

English Bill of Rights

Document guaranteeing certain rights to English citizens that William and Mary were required to accept before taking the throne

• established freedom from taxation without representation, outlawed cruel/unusual punishment, and many other rights

• ensured that parliamentary meetings and elections would happen frequently

• created a limited monarchy, under which the monarch's power is diminished and more power is given to Parliament and the people

• inspired parts of the US Bill of Rights and Constitution

Frederick William "the Great Elector" of Prussia

came to power in 1640-1688, determined to unify the three provinces and enlarge his holdings, provinces were Brandenburg; Prussia (inherited in 1618) and scattered territories along the Rhine inherited in 1614. He succeeded in welding his scattered lands into an absolutist state. He argued that they needed a permanent standing army.

Junkers

Prussian nobles, the landed aristocracy of Prussia, a powerful class of large landowners who held significant political and military influence in Prussia, known for their conservative views, strong support of the monarchy, and close ties to the military

Peter I (the Great) of Russia

(1689-1725) Probably the most famous of the Romanov czars, this man was responsible for an incredible amount of reforms in Russia designed to modernize and help it catch up with its Western European counterparts. Peter transformed public life in Russia and established an absolutist state based on the Western model

• Grand Embassy to Western Europe for inspiration to reform

• modernized the military and created Russia’s navy

• instituted beard tax and mandated western styles of dress

• created Table of Ranks that allowed individuals to rise up the hierarchy based on skill rather than hereditary privileges, which created a new class of educated bureaucrats under Peter’s control

• eliminated position of the Patriarch within the Russian Orthodox Church and replaced it with a group of men who were loyal to the tsar

• Built St Petersburg as a “window to the west” and a western-style city on a seaport

Battle of Poltava

The Swedes invaded Russia and Peter the Great's rebuilt army defeated them after a decisive Russian victory at Poltava in 1709. This greatly reduced the threat of the Swedish armies. Peter then moved in high gear and wanted to build a city like no other in the world, St. Petersburg.

Raison d'etat

political theory articulated by King Louis XIII's chief minister, Cardinal Richelieu that holds that the interests and needs of the state may take precedence over traditional moral and international law ("reason of state")

Jean-Baptiste Colbert

1619-1683

• chief economic advisor to Louis XIV

• supported mercantilism in order to decrease Louis XIV's war debt

• tried to make France economically self-sufficient by expanding France's colonies (mercantilism as well)

Revocation of the Edict of Nantes

1685

• part of Louis XIV's efforts to have France united under only one religion

• closed Huguenot churches and schools, banned all their public activities, and exiled those who refused to embrace the state religion

Versailles

Palace constructed by Louis XIV that is 12 miles outside of Paris

• massive and opulent

• meant to glorify his rule and bring the nobility under his control (nobles were required to live at Versailles)

Act of Settlement

A British law passed in 1701 that guaranteed a Protestant succession to the throne, essentially barring any Catholic from inheriting the crown, solidifying the power of Parliament and further establishing a constitutional monarchy following the Glorious Revolution. Should William III die, Mary's Protestant sister, Anne, would take the throne, thereby protecting Protestant rule in England.

Mercantilism

An economic policy under which nations sought to increase their wealth and power by obtaining large amounts of gold and silver from their colonies and by selling more goods than they bought (more exports than imports)

• belief that increased trade will generate wealth

Treaty of Utrecht

1713-1715

• Ended the War of Spanish Succession & recognized Louis XIV's grandson Philip V as King of Spain, but prohibited the unification of the French and Spanish monarchies

• also gave England profitable lands in North America from France.

War of Spanish Succession

1701-1713

• A war fought over the Spanish throne.

• Louis XIV wanted it for his grandson in order to extend his power into Spain and fought a war against the Dutch, English, and the Holy Roman Empire to gain the throne for France, though he was unsuccessful

• Threatened to disrupt the balance of power in Europe

• Last of Louis XIV's nearly continuous wars

• Ended by the Treaty of Utrecht

Triangular Trade

a trade route that exchanged goods between the New World colonies, Europe, and West Africa

• raw materials were sent from the Americas to Europe

• finished products and weapons were sent from Europe to Africa to be sold

• slaves were sent from Africa to the Americas

Navigation Acts

Acts passed in 1660 passed by British parliament to increase colonial dependence on Great Britain for trade

• limited goods that were exported to colonies

• caused great resentment in American colonies

• example of mercantilist policies used by Britain

Bank of England

created in 1694 to ensure a stable money supply

• ensured financial stability in the centuries to come

• allowed industry to develop

• Britain was able to invest heavily in their military

joint-stock company

Commercial endeavor (similar to a modern-day corporation) which was collectively owned by shareholders

• often sponsored exploration and colonization in the 1600s and 1700s

• ex. Dutch East India Company (VOC) and British East India Company

Flyboats (fluyts)

A type of small, fast, and maneuverable Dutch vessel primarily used for cargo transport in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, often employed as auxiliary warships due to their agility; essentially, a lightweight, flat-bottomed boat designed for speed and shallow waters, which played a role in European trade during that period.

Dutch Republic

A confederation of seven Dutch provinces that emerged in the late 16th century, becoming a major European power due to its economic prosperity, maritime dominance, and cultural achievements during its "Golden Age.".

Bank of Amsterdam

Established in 1609, it was a pioneering financial institution considered the first true central bank, playing a crucial role in the Dutch Golden Age by providing a stable currency, secure deposit facilities, and facilitating international trade, effectively making Amsterdam a leading financial center in Europe during the early modern period.

Slave trade

The business of capturing, transporting, and selling people with the intention of enslaving them

Dutch East India Company (VOC)

A joint stock company founded by the Dutch in the early 17th century to establish and direct trade throughout Asia

• richer and more powerful than England's joint stock company, they drove out the English and established dominance over Asian trade

• profits made Amsterdam one of the richest cities in the world

Commercial Revolution

Expansion in commerce and trade that occurred during the 1600s and 1700s

• developed alongside international colonization

Dutch-Anglo naval wars

A series of 17th-century conflicts primarily fought at sea between the Dutch Republic and England (later Great Britain), primarily centered around competition for control over international trade routes and maritime dominance; these wars were largely characterized by naval battles in the English Channel and North Sea.

Seven Years' War

(1756-1763) Known also as the French and Indian War. It was the war between the French and their Indian allies and the English that proved the English to be the more dominant force in North America (what will someday be the United States) both commercially and in terms of controlled regions.

Table of Ranks

A system implemented by Peter the Great in Russia that categorized positions within the military, government, and court based on merit and service, allowing individuals to rise in rank based on their abilities rather than their noble birth, essentially creating a meritocratic hierarchy within the Russian state; this was a key part of Peter's efforts to modernize Russia by adopting Western European practices.

Charter of the Nobility

Russia's Catherine the Great granted the nobility vast tracts of land, the exclusive right to own serfs, and exemption from personal taxes and corporal punishment.

Pugachev Revolt

Frustrations with serfdom and hopes for a miraculous transformation provoked this gigantic serf revolt in Russia in 1773 when Emelian Pugachev urged the peasants to attack the nobility and seize their estates. In the aftermath, Catherine the Great tightened the nobles' control over their serfs with the Charter of Nobility and punished those who dared to criticize serfdom.

War of Austrian Succession

A major European conflict that took place between 1740 and 1748, primarily centered around the question of whether Maria Theresa, daughter of the deceased Emperor Charles VI, had the right to inherit the Habsburg throne, with various European powers challenging her claim and leading to widespread warfare across the continent

Partitions of Poland (1772, 1793, 1795)

Weakening of the Commonwealth of Poland led to civil war and invasion from Russia, Prussia, and Austria

• Poland's size was progressively reduced until, after the final partition, the state of Poland ceased to exist

• 1st Partition of Poland 1772

• 2nd Partition of Poland 1793

• 3rd Partition of Poland 1795

Great Northern War

A conflict that took place between 1700 and 1721, primarily between a coalition led by Peter the Great of Russia and Charles XII of Sweden, where Russia successfully challenged Swedish dominance in Northern Europe, ultimately leading to the rise of Russia as a major European power and the decline of Swedish power

Conscription

Compulsory enlistment for state service, typically into the armed forces. A military draft.

Serfdom

A type of labor commonly used in feudal systems in which the laborers work the land in return for protection but they are bound to the land and are not allowed to leave or to peruse their a new occupation. This was common in early Medeival Europe as well as in Russia until the mid 19th century.

Catherine the Great of Russia

"Catherine the Great" refers to the Empress of Russia who reigned from 1762 to 1796, known for her significant efforts to modernize and expand the Russian Empire through policies inspired by Enlightenment ideas, while maintaining absolute power, often considered an example of "Enlightened Absolutism."

Frederick William I of Prussia

1688-1740

• Known as the "Soldier King"

• ruled Prussia (largest/most powerful German state) from 1713-1740

• truly established Prussian absolutism and gave it a unique character (strict adherence to military values)

• built up a permanent standing army - most impressive in Europe

• infused strict military values into the whole society (required military-level discipline to his authority)

Frederick the Great of Prussia

1712-1786

• aka Frederick II of Prussia

• son of Frederick William I (The Soldier King)

• followed father's militant policies when it came to power

• encouraged religious toleration and legal reform

• granted limited freedom of speech & press- avoided any social reforms- enlarged Prussian army

• believed that a ruler should be like a father to his people

Party system - Whigs and Tories

"Whigs" and "Tories" refer to the two major political factions that emerged in England during the Stuart Restoration, with Whigs generally supporting parliamentary power and reform, while Tories favored a strong monarchy and traditional social order, essentially representing the early forms of liberal and conservative politics respectively.

Sir Robert Walpole

Englishman and Whig statesman who (under George I) was effectively the first British prime minister (1676-1745). From his position as First Lord of the Treasury, Walpole made himself into the first, or "prime" minister, leading the House of Commons from 1721-1742.

Patronage

Granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support

George III of England

"George III of England" refers to the King of Great Britain during the American Revolution, whose reign (1760-1820) was marked by policies that significantly contributed to tensions with the American colonies, ultimately leading to their rebellion against British rule; he is often seen as a symbol of British tyranny in American historical narratives.

Diplomatic Revolution

A major shift in European alliances that occurred around 1756, where Austria, previously allied with Britain, switched sides to become an ally of France, while Prussia aligned with Britain, essentially reversing the traditional power dynamics and setting the stage for the Seven Years' War

Silesia

A historical region in Central Europe, primarily located in modern-day Poland, which became a major point of conflict between Prussia and Austria during the War of Austrian Succession, where Prussian King Frederick II seized most of the territory, significantly bolstering Prussia's power by gaining valuable resources and land; essentially, Silesia represents a key turning point in European power dynamics during the 18th century