AP Euro Unit Three

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself without outside interference; in the 17th century, monarchs and states sought to establish complete control over laws, armies, and religion within their borders.

Political Centralization

The process of consolidating power under a single ruler or governing body, reducing the influence of nobles, local rulers, or regional authorities.

Secular

Non-religious or separate from the Church; during this period, governments increasingly based laws and authority on state power rather than religious authority.

Political Institutions

The structures and systems that organize government power, such as monarchies, parliaments, and bureaucracies. These evolved during this era to strengthen or limit monarchs’ authority.

Absolute Monarchy

A form of government in which a monarch holds complete and centralized power, claiming authority by divine right and limiting the influence of representative bodies like parliaments.

Absolutism

The political theory and practice of giving unrestricted power to a monarch, who rules under the belief that their authority comes directly from God. Example: Louis XIV of France.

English Civil War (1642–1649)

A conflict between the monarchy (Charles I) and Parliament, along with their supporters, over control of government and taxation; it ended with the execution of Charles I and the temporary establishment of a republic under Oliver Cromwell.

Gentry

The wealthy landowning class below the nobility in European states; in England during this time period they gained political influence through Parliament and played a key role in challenging absolutism during the English Civil War and Glorious Revolution.

Aristocracy

The hereditary nobility who held traditional privileges, titles, and land; often clashed with monarchs seeking to centralize power.

Parliament

The representative legislative body of England, made up of the House of Lords and the House of Commons; it gained increased power after the English Civil War and Glorious Revolution, limiting the monarch’s authority.

House of Commons

• The lower house of Parliament, made up mostly of the gentry, merchants, and professionals (wealthy commoners who owned land but were not nobles).

• During the 17th century this house gained greater political influence, especially in taxation and government spending

• Key force in challenging royal authority during the English Civil War.

• After Glorious Revolution: Gained more power under the Consitutional monarchy established by the Bill of Rights 1689.

House of Lords

• The upper house of Parliament, composed of the aristocracy and high-ranking clergy (nobles and bishops who held hereditary titles or Church offices).

• Traditionally supported monarchical authority and defended the privileges of the nobility

• After Glorious Revolution: Power began to decline as the House of Commons grew more assertive

Oliver Cromwell (r. 1653-1658)

• Puritan military leader who led the Parliamentarian forces (Roundheads) during the English Civil War.

• Cause: Came to power after the execution of Charles I and collapse of monarchy.

• Effect: Ruled as Lord Protector in a Puritan military dictatorship (the Commonwealth), temporarily abolishing the monarchy.

Restoration (1660)

• The return of the monarchy after Cromwell’s rule, when Charles II (son of Charles I) was invited back to take the throne.

• Cause: Dissatisfaction with Cromwell’s strict Puritan regime and political instability.

• Effect: Monarchy, Church of England, and Parliament were restored, though tensions over religion and royal power remained.

James I (r. 1603–1625)

• The first Stuart king of England, who believed in the divine right of kings and absolute monarchy.

• Cause: Succeeded Elizabeth I becuase she had no heir.

• Effect: Clashed with Parliament over taxes and royal authority, setting the stage for future conflicts under his son, Charles I.

Charles I (r. 1625–1649)

• Stuart monarch whose conflicts with Parliament over taxation, religion, and divine right led to the English Civil War.

• Effect: Tried for treason, executed in 1649, marking the temporary overthrow of monarchy in England.

Parliamentarians (Roundheads)

• Supporters of Parliament during the English Civil War, mainly Puritans, merchants, and the gentry, who opposed the king’s attempt at absolute power.

• Effect: Defeated the Royalists and helped establish the Commonwealth under Cromwell.

Royalists (Cavaliers)

• Supporters of King Charles I during the English Civil War, typically nobles, Anglicans, and Catholics who defended traditional monarchy.

• Effect: Lost the war, leading to the execution of the king and the temporary abolition of the monarchy.

Long Parliament (1640–1660)

• The Parliament called by Charles I that lasted on and off for 20 years; refused to dissolve without its own consent.

• Cause: Charles needed funds for wars.

• Effect: Monarchy passed laws limiting royal authority, contributing to the outbreak of the English Civil War.

Rump Parliament (1648–1653)

• Parliament created from the Long Parliament after Cromwell purged members who opposed trying the king.

• Effect: Abolished the monarchy and the House of Lords, declared England a republic (Commonwealth).

Charles II (r. 1660–1685)

• Son of Charles I, restored to the throne during the Restoration (1660).

• Cause: Dissatisfaction with Cromwell’s Puritan military dictatorship and desire for political stability.

• Effect: Reestablished the monarchy, Church of England, and Parliament, while navigating tensions between royal authority and parliamentary power.

James II (r. 1685–1688)

• Brother of Charles II and last Catholic monarch of England; sought to expand royal power and promote Catholicism.

• Cause: His openly Catholic policies alarmed Protestant elites and Parliament.

• Effect: Overthrown in the Glorious Revolution, replaced by William III and Mary II, leading to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy.

William of Orange (William III)

• Dutch prince who invaded England in 1688 with the support of English nobles, leading to the Glorious Revolution.

• Effect: Shared the throne with Mary II, accepting constitutional limits on royal power under the Bill of Rights 1689.

Mary II

• Daughter of James II and wife of William of Orange; ruled jointly with him after the Glorious Revolution.

• Effect: Together they accepted the English Bill of Rights (1689), establishing a constitutional monarchy.

Glorious Revolution (1688–1689)

• The bloodless overthrow of James II, replaced by William III and Mary II.

• Cause: Fear of a Catholic dynasty under James II.

• Effect: Marked the end of absolutism in England and the beginning of parliamentary sovereignty and constitutional monarchy.

Bill of Rights (1689)

• Law passed by Parliament after the Glorious Revolution, limiting the monarch’s power and guaranteeing rights such as free elections, regular Parliaments, and free speech in Parliament.

• Effect: Created a constitutional framework ensuring that the monarch ruled with Parliament’s consent.

Parliamentary Sovereignty

• The principle that Parliament has ultimate authority over the monarchy and laws of England.

• Effect: Ended the idea of divine-right monarchy and established the foundation for modern democratic governance.

Constitutional Monarchy

• A form of government in which a monarch’s power is limited by laws and a constitution, and they must govern in partnership with Parliament.

• Effect: Became the lasting political settlement in England after the Glorious Revolution.

Lord Protectorate

• The title held by Oliver Cromwell when he ruled England after the execution of Charles I (1649–1658).

• Cause: The monarchy was abolished and England became a republic (Commonwealth).

• Effect: Cromwell exercised quasi-monarchical power under a military-backed government, but this system ended with his death, paving the way for the Restoration of Charles II.

Parliamentarian Army (New Model Army)

• The professional army organized by Parliament during the English Civil War, led by Oliver Cromwell.

• Cause: Parliament needed a disciplined military force to defeat the Royalists.

• Effect: Defeated Royalist forces, helped execute Charles I, and supported the Rump Parliament and Cromwell’s rule.

Gunpowder Plot (1605)

• A failed Catholic conspiracy to blow up the English Parliament and assassinate King James I.

• Cause: Religious conflict between Catholics and the Protestant monarchy.

• Effect: Increased anti-Catholic sentiment, reinforced Parliamentary loyalty to the king, and led to stricter laws against Catholics.