Absolute Monarchs in Europe 1500-1800

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to absolute monarchs and the evolution of monarchy in Europe between 1500 and 1800.

Philip II

Ruled Spain with a strong hand during a time of religious and economic instability.

Spanish Armada

A great fleet defeated by Philip II.

El Greco

An artist who depicted the deep Catholic faith of Spain.

Diego Velazquez

An artist famous for painting Spanish royalty.

Miguel de Cervantes

Author of 'Don Quixote', focusing on themes of chivalry and idealism.

Dutch Revolt

A revolt against Spanish rule in the Netherlands.

William of Orange

Key figure in the Dutch Revolt who helped the Northern provinces declare independence.

Absolute Monarchy

Kings or queens who believed that all power rested within their hands.

Divine Right

A doctrine that kings derived their authority from God.

Edict of Nantes

A decree that allowed Huguenots to live in peace in France.

Cardinal Richelieu

Chief minister who worked against the Huguenots and decreased the power of the nobility.

Louis XIV

A powerful monarch of France known as 'I am the state'.

Jean Baptiste Colbert

Finance minister who aimed to make France self-sufficient.

Versailles

Palace where Louis XIV lived lavishly and made nobles dress him.

War of the Spanish Succession

Conflict to prevent Bourbon control of Spain.

Treaty of Utrecht

Settlement that allowed Louis’ grandson to remain king of Spain as long as thrones were not united.

30 Years’ War

Conflict involving a fight between Protestant and Catholic states in the Holy Roman Empire.

Peace of Westphalia

The treaty that ended the Thirty Years' War in 1648.

Maria Theresa

Ruler of Austria who faced opposition from Frederick of Prussia.

War of Austrian Succession

Conflict fought over the Austrian land of Silesia.

Seven Years War

War arising from a conflict between Frederick of Prussia and Austria.

Charles I

King who faced opposition from Parliament and was forced to sign the Petition of Right.

Petition of Right

Document that limited the king's power regarding taxation and imprisonment.

English Civil War

Conflict between Loyalists to Charles I and supporters of Parliament.

Oliver Cromwell

General who defeated Charles I and ruled as a military dictator.

Commonwealth

The republican government established by Cromwell.

Restoration

Period when Charles II restored the monarchy after Cromwell's rule.

Habeas corpus

The right ensuring that a prisoner cannot be held without trial.

Glorious Revolution

The bloodless overthrow of King James II by Mary and William of Orange.

Constitutional Monarchy

A political system under which the monarch's powers are limited by law.

English Bill of Rights

Document that established limits on the monarch's power and protected Parliaments rights.

Cabinet

Group developed after 1688 that became central to power and policymaking in Britain.