Absolute Monarchy

Absolute Monarchs

Monarch has complete control; no regulation of monarch; caused by decline of feudalism, growth of nationalism, religious wars, Reformation, royal army, wealth from colonies, improved communication.

Divine Right

Belief that God sent the monarch to rule as His representative; monarchs answer only to God.

Louis XIV

Louis the Great, the Sun King of France (1643-1715); said "I am the state"; built Versailles; weakened nobles; fought wars that ruined France.

James I

Stuart; cousin of Elizabeth; argued with Parliament over money and war; ruled Scotland and Wales; Calvinist; translated the Bible.

Charles I

Son of James I; believed he ruled by God; ignored the Petition of Right; executed after Civil War; Cromwell replaced him.

Charles II

Ruled during the Restoration; signed Habeas Corpus; gave prisoners right to a free trial; had no heir; succeeded by James II.

James II

Brother of Charles II; openly Catholic; believed in divine right; overthrown in the Glorious Revolution by William and Mary.

William of Orange

King of England, Scotland, and Ireland; married James II's daughter Mary; invited by Parliament; overthrew James II; signed Petition of Rights.

English Civil War

War between Royalists and Puritans; started with Charles I ignoring Petition of Right; Roundheads (Parliament) vs. Royalists; led by Cromwell; Charles I executed.

Stuarts

Royal family after the Tudors; started with James I; briefly displaced by Cromwell; continued with Charles II and James II; ruled England, Scotland, and Ireland.

Commonwealth

Period beginning 1649 when England was ruled as a republic under Oliver Cromwell instead of a king.

Petition of Rights

1628 statement of civil liberties from Parliament to Charles I; limited forced loans and quartering of troops.

Oliver Cromwell

Led New Model Army; became Lord Protector; abolished House of Lords; ruled as a military dictator.

Restoration of the Monarchy

Period when Charles II restored the monarchy, theater, sports, art, and allowed women on stage.

Habeas Corpus

1679 law requiring prisoners be brought before a judge; ensured no imprisonment without trial or legal reason.

Glorious Revolution

1688 overthrow of James II; William and Mary took the throne; signed English Bill of Rights; established Constitutional Monarchy.

English Bill of Rights

1689 law limiting royal power: king couldn't suspend Parliament, raise taxes without consent, or punish petitioners; guaranteed free speech.

Constitutional Monarchy

System where ruler's power is limited by law; monarch works with Parliament; defined by English Bill of Rights.

Enlightenment

Period when people used reason and logic to question religion and government; philosophers included Hobbes, Locke, Voltaire, Montesquieu, Rousseau, Beccaria, Wollstonecraft.

Scientific Revolution

Mid-1500s rise of modern science; used observation and logic; encouraged applying reason to government and religion; promoted tolerance.

Leviathan

Book by Hobbes (1651); argued people are selfish; society needs a strong ruler; name means "sea monster."

Limited Monarchy

Type of government where monarch's power is shared with Parliament; common in England, Denmark, Spain.

Natural Rights

John Locke's idea: life, liberty, property; government must protect these rights or can be overthrown.

Social Contract (Hobbes)

People give up rights to ruler for order and control; like an absolute monarchy; ruler's power is like the Leviathan.

Social Contract (Rousseau)

Agreement between people to form society and government; government by consent of the governed; all people equal; abolish nobility.

Thomas Hobbes

English philosopher (1588-1679); believed humans are selfish; strong government needed; wrote Leviathan.

John Locke

Philosopher; believed in self-government; people born blank slates; life, liberty, property; influenced Declaration of Independence.

Voltaire

French writer and philosopher; fought for freedom of speech and religion; criticized Catholic Church; imprisoned and exiled.

Baron de Montesquieu

French philosopher; idea of separation of powers and checks and balances; wrote On the Spirit of Laws (1748).

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Believed society corrupts people; wrote The Social Contract; "Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains."

Mary Wollstonecraft

Wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman; fought for women's education and equality.

Beccaria

Italian philosopher; wrote On Crimes and Punishments; opposed torture and cruel punishment; wanted fair, speedy trials.

Salons

Social gatherings hosted by wealthy women; spread Enlightenment ideas.

Causes of the Enlightenment

Influenced by Locke's Natural Rights, corruption of church, and scientific advancements.

Effects of the Enlightenment

Secular outlook, belief in reason and progress, individual rights; inspired American and French Revolutions and new governments.