Absolutism in Europe: Key Monarchs and Events

Absolutism

Political system with centralized, absolute monarch control.

Corruption

Using political power for personal gain.

Nation States

Territory with fixed borders and centralized governance.

Absolute Monarchs

Monarchs with total control over government functions.

Divine Right

Monarchs' authority derived from God's will.

Louis XIV

French king symbolizing absolute monarchy, declared 'I am the state'.

Charles V

Ruled Spain and HRE, first global power.

Spanish Inquisition

Effort to remove non-Catholics from Spain.

Philip II

Charles V's son, established absolute monarchy in Spain.

Spanish Renaissance

Cultural flourishing in Spain during Philip II's reign.

Spanish Armada

Fleet of 130 ships sent to invade England.

Anglo-Spanish War

Conflict between Spain and England from 1588 to 1604.

Treaty of London

1604 agreement ending hostilities between Spain and England.

Spanish-Dutch War

Conflict resulting in Spain losing control of the Netherlands.

Elizabeth I

Queen of England who rejected Philip II's marriage proposal.

Peace of Augsburg

Agreement allowing coexistence of Catholicism and Protestantism.

Habsburg Family

Powerful royal family ruling Spain and HRE.

Massive Colonial Empire

Spain's extensive territories in Americas and East Indies.

Protestant Reformation

Movement opposing Catholic Church practices, resisted by Spain.

Sir Francis Drake

British privateer who attacked Spanish treasure fleets.

Spanish Armada Retreat

Failed invasion of England, marked decline of Spanish power.

Cessation of Hostilities

End of conflicts and resumption of trade between nations.

Spanish decline

Rapid decrease in Spanish power post-Philip II.

Corrupt rulers

Weak leadership following Philip II's reign.

Costly wars

Military conflicts causing economic distress in Spain.

Inflation

Rising prices affecting lower class severely.

Increased taxation

Higher taxes burdening the lower socioeconomic class.

Expulsion of Jews/Muslims

Loss of skilled labor due to religious expulsion.

Colonial Empire overextension

Excessive size straining Spanish resources.

Loss of colonies

Spain losing territories to other European powers.

Absolutism in France

Concentration of power in the monarchy.

St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre

1572 event killing Huguenots in France.

Royal wedding

Catholic Margaret of Valois marries Protestant Henry IV.

Huguenots

French Calvinists opposing Catholic dominance.

Catherine De Medici

Queen believed to instigate Huguenot violence.

Admiral de Coligny

Prominent Huguenot leader targeted for assassination.

Fear of reprisals

Protestant fears leading to violent massacres.

Henry IV

First Bourbon monarch, ruled from 1589-1610.

Edict of Nantes

1598 decree granting Huguenots religious rights.

Religious protection

Legal rights for Huguenots to practice freely.

Economic rebuilding

Henry IV focused on restoring France's economy.

Military reforms

Modernization of French army under Henry IV.

Standing army

Professional soldiers ready for immediate deployment.

Fortified cities

Strengthened Huguenot strongholds for protection.

Positions Hereditary

Established institutions, patronage of arts/architecture.

King Louis XIII

Inherited throne at age 9, ruled with regent.

Cardinal Richelieu

Chief advisor aiming to centralize monarchy's power.

Huguenots

French Protestants viewed as threats to monarchy.

Edict of Nantes

Granted rights to Huguenots, later revoked by Louis XIV.

Intendant System

Direct royal representatives bypassing local nobility.

Raison d'etat

State's interest justifies political actions, disregarding morals.

King Louis XIV

Believed in divine right, known as 'The Sun King'.

Estates General

Legislative body Louis XIV did not summon.

Jean Baptiste Colbert

Financial minister promoting mercantilism and manufacturing.

Versailles

Palace symbolizing wealth, power, and cultural superiority.

Four Wars of Expansion

Costly military campaigns during Louis XIV's reign.

Revocation of Edict of Nantes

Led to 250,000 Protestants fleeing France.

Harsh Taxation

Peasants bore the majority of tax burden.

Czar

Absolute leader of Russia, derived from 'Caesar'.

Ivan III (The Great)

Pushed Tatars out, ending Mongol influence.

Ivan IV (The Terrible)

First Czar, known for paranoia and brutality.

Oprichniki

Ivan IV's secret police, loyal to the Czar.

Michael Romanov

Elected successor after Ivan IV, ruled for 300 years.

Peter I (The Great)

Modernized Russia, traveled to learn Western customs.

Great Northern War

Conflict for warm water port, initial defeat, eventual victory.

St. Petersburg

New capital, 'Window to the West', European style.

Thirty Years War

Religious conflict evolving into political territorial disputes.

Treaty of Westphalia

Restructured HRE into 360 independent German states.

Sovereign State

Operates independently, not answering to higher authority.

Boyars

Russian nobility, faced power reduction under Ivan IV.

Patriarch

Leader of the Orthodox Church, abolished by Peter I.

Cultural Isolation

Russia's unique culture shaped by geography and history.

Mercantilism

Economic policy promoting exports over imports.

Professional Army

Established by Louis XIV for military efficiency.

Protestant Reformation

End of religious wars in Europe.

Habsburgs

A dynasty seeking to rebuild Catholic empire.

Pragmatic Sanction

1713 law allowing female succession to the throne.

Maria Theresa

First female ruler of Austria, centralized power.

Frederick William

Leader who united fragmented Prussian territories.

Junkers

Nobles supporting Prussian military and government.

Frederick I of Prussia

First king of Prussia, gained sovereignty.

English Bill of Rights

1689 document limiting monarch's power in England.

James I of England

First Stuart king, believed in divine right.

Charles I

Son of James I, ruled without Parliament.

Petition of Right

1628 document limiting king's powers over citizens.

English Civil War

Conflict between Royalists and Parliamentarians (1642-1651).

Cavaliers

Royalists supporting the king during the Civil War.

Roundheads

Parliamentarians led by Cromwell in the Civil War.

New Model Army

Cromwell's disciplined military force during the Civil War.

Lord Protector

Title held by Cromwell, military dictator of England.

The Restoration

Return of monarchy with Charles II in 1660.

James II

Catholic king, overthrown during the Glorious Revolution.

Glorious Revolution

Peaceful transfer of power to William and Mary.

Constitutional monarchy

Monarch shares power with Parliament, limited authority.

Free elections

Parliament members elected by the people.

Taxation without representation

Outlawed practice in the English Bill of Rights.

Individual rights

Increased protections for citizens post-Bill of Rights.

Cromwell's Commonwealth

Republic established after execution of Charles I.