Midterm Identification Terms-Political Systems, Ideologies, and Revolutions

HIST 152 full set of terms

Absolutist States/Absolute Monarchies

Governments where kings held centralized power such as, Louis XIV of France in the 17th century. These developed across Europe as monarchs tried to control nobility and religion. They shaped European politics and led. To resistance movements. They contrast sharply with later constitutional states ore constitutional monarchies.

Capitalism

Began developing in early modern Europe, especially the 16-18th centuries, as trade, investments, and profit became central to economic systems. It emerged in places like the Netherlands and Britain. Capitalism changed how wealth was generated and distributed, encouraging global trade and colonization. It remains a dominant economic model today.

Thirty Years’ War

From 1618-1548, it was a devastating religious and political conflict fought mainly in the Holy Roman Empire (Germany). It involved Catholic and Protestant states and weakened European powers like Spain while strengthening France. The war caused massive destruction and population loss. It is important because it led to the Peace of Westphalia, which established the modern system of sovereign states.

Scientific Revolution

Occurred in Europe between the 16th-18th centuries, as people like Galileo and Newton challenged traditional knowledge through observation and reason. It transformed understanding of the universe and laid the groundwork for modern science. It happened mainly in Western Europe, especially in Italy, England, and France. It reshaped intellectual life and helped spark the Enlightenment.

Enlightenment

Was an 18th century intellectual movement that emphasized reason, individual rights, and liberty, led by thinkers like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Locke. It spread across Europe and the Atlantic world. Enlightenment ideas challenged traditional authority and inspired revolutions. It is essential to understanding the modern concepts of democracy, freedom, and human rights.

American Revolution

From 1775-1783, it was a colonial rebellion in North America against British rule, led by figures like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. It resulted in the independence of the United States and inspired democratic ideas globally. It occurred in the 13 colonies, now the eastern US. It was a key turning points in challenging monarchies and spreading Enlightenment values.

French Revolution

From 1789 to 1799, it was a radical uprising against the ancient régime, or old feudal and aristocratic system of France, involving groups like the Estates General and later the gens de coulee in the colonies. It led to the execution of the king, rise of nationalism, and calls from liberty and equality. It took places across France and its colonies. It’s crucial to modern political history and revolutions around the world.

Haitian Revolution

From 1791-1804, it was the only successful slave revolt in history, where enslaved Africans in the French colony of Saint-Domingue overthrew their colonizers. Led by Toussaint Louverture, it established Haiti as the first Black republic. It followed Enlightenment and French Revolutionary ideals but applied them to colonial and racial oppression. It’s a major milestone in anti-colonial and anti-slavery history.

Liberalism

Is a political and economic ideology that emphasizes individual rights, equality under the law, and limited government, involving thinkers like John Locke and later leaders during the Enlightenment and democratic revolutions. It emerged prominently in the 17th-18th centuries in Europe and North America, especially during events like the American Revolution (1776) and the French Revolution (1789). Liberalism called for constitutional governments, free speech, and protection of private property. It is important to world history because it helped shape modern democracies and inspired movement for civil liberties and political reform worldwide.

Nationalism

Is the belief that people who share a common language, culture, or history should rom an independent nation, involving leaders like Giyuseppe Garibaldi in Italy and Otto von Bismarck in Germany. It gained strength in the 19th century across Europe, especially after the Napoleonic Wars and the Congress of Vienna (1815). Nationalism led to the unification of Italy and Germany and the eventually breakdown of multi-ethnic empires like Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. This ideology is important to world history because it redefined national borders, fueled independence movements, and contributed to both unity and conflict globally.

Serfdom

Was a system where peasants were bound to land and owed labor to landowners, common in medieval and early modern Europe and Russia. It declined in Western Europe by the 17th century but lasted in Russia until the 19th century. It shows social hierarchies that revolutions and reforms later challenged. It’s important for studying feudalism and economic inequality.

Spanish Inquisition

Was a religious court established in 1478 by Catholic monarchs in Spain to enforce Catholic orthodoxy and suppress heresy. It expanded to colonial territories and often targeted Jews, Muslims, and Protestants. It symbolizes the use of religion for political control. It’s significant for understanding religious intolerance and state power.

Protestant Reformation

began in 1517 when Martin Luther challenged the Catholic Church’s practices in Germany, sparking a widespread religious movement. It fractured Christianity and led to the rise of the Protestant churches across Europe. It played a role in religious wars, political changes, and colonial missions. It reshaped European religious and political life.

Constitutional state/constitutional monarchy

Refers to a government in which monarchs share power with representation institutions, like Parliament in England after the Glorious Revolution (1688). This model developed in contrast to absolute monarchies, mainly in 17th & 18th century Western Europe. It was especially strong in England and the Netherlands. It’s important because it laid the groundwork for modern democracies and limited government power.

Peace of Westphalia

Was a series of treaties signed in 1648 that ended the Thirty Years’ war in the Holy Roman Empire and the Eighty Years’ war between Spain and the Dutch. It involved European powers like France, the Holy Roman Empire, and Sweden, and was negotiated in what is now Germany. The treaties introduced the idea of state sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs. It’s significant as the foundation of the modern international state system.

Ancien Régime

Refers to the political and social system in France before the French Revolution in 1789, where power was held by the monarchy, aristocracy, and the Catholic Church. This system, led by kings like Louis XVI, emphasized inequality through the estates system. IT existed primarily in France but influenced other European monarchies. It is crucial for understanding what revolutionaries sought to overthrow in their push for equality and citizenship.

Estates General

Was the French representative assembly o the three estates: clergy (First), nobility (second), and commoners (third), which had not met for 175 years before being convened in 1789. Called by King Louis XVI during a financial crisis, it marked the start of the French Revolution. It met in France and became the platform for the Third Estates to demand reforms. It’s important because it represents the political awakening of the common people and the beginning of revolutionary action.

Gens de Couleur (“people of color”)

Were free people of mixed African and European descent in French colonies like Saint-Dominguez (Haiti) in the 18th century. Although not enslaved, they faced racial discrimination and were excluded from full rights. Their frustrations contributed to the tensions leading to the Haitian Revolution. They are significant in showing how race, class, and colonial power clashed in revolutionary movement.