Unit 9: Conflict and Absolutism in Europe, 1550-1715

Absolutism

A form of government, usually hereditary monarchy, in which the ruler has no legal limits on his or her power.

Armada (1588)

Spanish vessels (Fleet of Ships) defeated in the English Channel by an English fleet, thus preventing Philip II's invasion of England; Battle between Philp II and Elizabeth I, large storm pushes Spanish up and away from England through the channel, Spain devastated, Elizabeth glorified.

Act of Supremacy

Declared the monarch the supreme head of the Church of England; establishing England as a Protestant nation.

Edict of Nantes

Document that granted religious freedom to the Huguenots in France.

Inflation

A general and progressive increase in prices.

Mannerism

An artistic movement that emerged in Italy in the 1520s and 1530s; it marked the end of the Renaissance by breaking down the principles of balance, harmony, and moderation.

Thirty Years War

(1618-1648 CE) War within the Holy Roman Empire between German Protestants (Calvinists) and their allies (Sweden, Denmark, France) and the emperor and his ally, Spain; ended in 1648 after great destruction with Treaty (Peace) of Westphalia.

Divine Right of Kings

The belief that kings receive their power from God and are responsible only to God.

Petition of Right

1628. Signed by Charles I. No imprisonment without due cause; no taxes levied without Parliament's consent; soldiers not housed in private homes (quarter troops); no martial law during peace time; Document prepared by Parliament and signed by King Charles I of England in 1628; declared that even the monarch was subject to the laws of the land.

Restoration Period

In England, the period following the restoration of Charles II to the throne in 1660.

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; known as Glorious Revolution because of limited bloodshed needed to overthrow King James II of England.

Baroque

An artistic style of the seventeenth century characterized by complex forms, bold ornamentation, and contrasting elements.

English Bill of Rights

King William and Queen Mary accepted this document in 1689. It guaranteed certain rights to English citizens and declared that elections for Parliament would happen frequently. By accepting this document, they supported a limited (constitutional) monarchy, a system in which they shared their power with Parliament and the people.

Constitutional Monarchy

A King or Queen is the official head of state but power is limited by a constitution.

Toleration Act

1689 law passed by Parliament granting some religious freedoms to dissenting Protestants (Puritans) who had broken away from the Anglican Church.

Versailles

A palace built by Louis XIV outside of Paris.

Czar

Russian word for Caesar; emperor.

King Philip II of Spain

Son of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and was the greatest supporter of militant Catholicism, he also consolidated the land inherited from his father which includes Spain and the Netherlands; sent an Armada against England in 1588.

William of Orange

King of England and Scotland and Ireland, he married the daughter of James II and was invited by opponents of James II to invade England; when James fled, William III and Mary II were declared joint monarchs (1650-1702).

Queen Elizabeth I of England

This "Virgin" Queen ruled England for 45 years and was one of the most successful monarchs in English History. She supported the arts, increased the treasury, supported the exploration of the New World, built up the military, and established the Church of England as the main religion in England; defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588.

Huguenots

French Protestants influenced by John Calvin.

King Henry IV of France

He was a Huguenot who inherited the French throne in 1589. He worked to fight the Catholics for many years, but converted to Catholicism. Eventually issued the Edict of Nantes in 1595, which gave the Huguenots religious toleration.

Puritans

A religious group who wanted to purify the Church of England. They came to America for religious freedom and settled Massachusetts Bay.

King James I of England (VI of Scotland)

King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. He ruled Scotland as James VI, and then from "The Union of the Crowns" in England and Ireland as James I. He was the first monarch of England from the House of Stuart, succeeding the last Tudor monarch Elizabeth I, who died without an heir; claimed Divine Right of Kings and dissolved Parliament.

King Charles I of England

King who did not allow the Parliament to help run the country of England; Eleven Years Tyranny or Persoanl Rule of the King caused unrest in England and was eventually captured and beheaded by English revolutionaries, and replaced by Oliver Cromwell.

Cavaliers (Royalists)

In the English Civil War (1642-1647), these were the troops loyal to King Charles II.

Roundheads

The supporters of the Parliament in the English Civil War.

Oliver Cromwell

English military, political, and religious 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 (1653-1658) he ruled as a virtual dictator.

King Charles II of England

He was "restored" to the monarchy in England after the death of Oliver Cromwell.

King James II of England

The Catholic King of England who was overthrown in the Glorious Revolution.

King Louis XIV of France

Known as the Sun King; his reign began when he was four years old and lasted for 72 years; monarch who ruled with absolute, unlimited power that became a model for the rest of Europe.

Gian Lorenzo Bernini

Italian architect and sculptor; famous during the baroque movement; completed Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome.

George Frideric Handel

Composer of the late Baroque, wrote instrumental music; his masterpiece is the oratorio The Messiah.

Caravaggio

Italian painter noted for his realistic depiction of religious subjects and his novel use of light.

William Shakespeare

English poet and playwright considered one of the greatest writers of the English language; works include Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and Hamlet.

Cardinal Richelieu

This was the man who influenced the power of King Louis XIII the most and tried to make France an absolute monarchy

Cardinal Mazarin

This was the man who served under Cardinal Richelieu and laid the foundations for Louis XIV's expansionist policies.

Jean Baptiste Colbert

An economic advisor to Louis XIV; he supported mercantilism and tried to make France economically self-sufficient. Brought prosperity to France.

Frederic William the Great Elector

He laid the foundation for the Prussian state.

Hapsburgs of Austria

One of two German-speaking families who tried to become absolute monarchs following the Thirty Years' War.

Ivan IV of Russia

"The Terrible"; Russian ruler; cruel and tyranical; murdered nobility; extremely paranoid (killed his own son); taxed people heavily; took title of "czar".

Peter the Great

Russian czar. He enthusiastically introduced Western languages and technologies to the Russian elite, moving the capital from Moscow to the new city of St. Petersburg.

El Greco

Spanish painter (born in Greece) remembered for his religious works characterized by elongated human forms and dramatic use of color.

Johann Sebastian Bach

Baroque composer.

Miguel de Cervantes

Spanish writer best remembered for 'Don Quixote' which satirizes chivalry and influenced the development of the novel form.

New Model Army

The disciplined fighting force of Protestants led by Oliver Cromwell in the English Civil War.