Absolutism

Absolute Monarchy

A system where a monarch has total power with no checks from nobles or parliament.

Divine Right

The belief that a king’s power comes from God; disobeying the king is disobeying God.

Regent

A person who rules on behalf of a child-king until they are old enough.

Charles V

King of Spain and Holy Roman Emperor who gained land through marriage alliances and later split his empire.

Philip II

Son of Charles V who received Spain and New Spain after his father abdicated.

Ferdinand I

Brother of Charles V who received German-speaking lands and became Holy Roman Emperor.

Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible)

First ruler to use the title Czar; expanded Russia but later ruled through terror and secret police.

Oprichnina

Ivan IV’s secret police who used violence and fear against nobles.

Peter the Great

Russian ruler who westernized Russia, built St. Petersburg, and modernized the military.

Westernization

The adoption of Western European ideas, culture, and technology.

Catherine the Great

Russian ruler who expanded the empire from the Pacific Ocean to the Ottoman Empire.

Louis XIII

French king who ruled with the help of his regent, Cardinal Richelieu.

Cardinal Richelieu

Regent for Louis XIII who strengthened royal power and weakened nobles.

Louis XIV

Absolute monarch of France who built Versailles, controlled nobles, and left France in debt.

Palace of Versailles

Lavish palace used by Louis XIV to control nobles and display absolute power.

Magna Carta

English document that limited the king’s power and strengthened Parliament.

Charles I

English king who believed in Divine Right and was executed after the English Civil War.

Oliver Cromwell

Military leader who overthrew Charles I and ruled England as a dictator.

English Bill of Rights

Document that limited royal power and created a constitutional monarchy.

Glorious Revolution

Peaceful overthrow in 1689 that placed Mary and William of Orange on the throne.

Frederick the Great

Prussian king known for militarism, conscription, and territorial expansion.

Seven Years’ War

Major European war over land and power that spread to America as the French and Indian War.

Maria Theresa

Austrian ruler who gained power through the Pragmatic Sanction and fought Prussia in major wars.

Pragmatic Sanction

Law that allowed Maria Theresa to inherit the Austrian throne.