Constitutional vs Absolute Monarchy

Elizabeth I

The last Tudor monarch, she ruled England for 46 years from 1558 to 1603, known for her intelligence and political acumen.

The Spanish Armada

A large fleet sent by King Philip II of Spain in 1588 to invade England, ultimately defeated by the English navy.

Act of Uniformity

An act established in 1559 that created a national church in England, requiring attendance at its services.

The Petition of Right

A document signed by Charles I in 1628 that set out specific liberties that the king could not infringe upon.

The Glorious Revolution

The peaceful overthrow of King James II of England in 1688, leading to the constitutional monarchy of William and Mary.

Habeas Corpus Act

A law passed in 1679 that established the right of individuals to not be held indefinitely without trial.

St. Petersburg

A city founded by Peter the Great in 1703, which became the capital of Russia, symbolizing the country's modernization efforts.

Divine Right of Kings

The belief that a monarch's authority comes directly from God and that they are accountable only to God.

The Roundheads

Supporters of Parliament during the English Civil War, primarily composed of Puritans and other anti-royal factions.

The Cavaliers

Supporters of King Charles I during the English Civil War, often depicted as aristocrats and loyalists who supported the monarchy.

The Restoration

The period marked by the return of Charles II to the English throne in 1660 after the English Civil War and Cromwell's rule.

The English Bill of Rights

A document enacted in 1689 that limited the powers of the monarchy and outlined the rights of Parliament and individuals.

Oliver Cromwell

A military leader and political figure known for his role in the English Civil War and as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth.

Joint Stock Company

A business entity where different stocks can be bought and owned by shareholders, prevalent in the development of colonial ventures.

The Fronde

A series of civil wars in France (1648-1653) that challenged the authority of Cardinal Mazarin and the young Louis XIV.

Cardinal Mazarin

The chief minister to Louis XIV who played a key role in governing France during Louis's childhood and early reign.

Puritans

A religious group that emerged in England seeking to purify the Church of England from Catholic practices and influences.

Edward VI

The son of Henry VIII, he became king of England at a young age and his reign saw the further establishment of Protestantism.

Mary Tudor

The daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, she became queen of England and the half sister of Elizabeth I Known for her attempt to revert England back to Catholicism, she earned the nickname "Bloody Mary" due to her persecution of Protestants.

Mary Queen of Scots

A Scottish queen who was the cousin of Elizabeth I. She was executed for her involvement in plots against Elizabeth.

Act of Supremacy

A law enacted in 1534 declaring the monarch as the Supreme Head of the Church of England, establishing the English monarch's authority over religious matters.

Philip II

King of Spain and husband to Mary Tudor, he was a strong supporter of Catholicism and sought to strengthen Spain's influence in England.

British East India Company

A trading company established in 1600 that played a significant role in the expansion of British trade and colonial interests resources in other parts of the world

Catholics

Members of the Christian denomination that follows the teachings and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church

James I

The first monarch of the Stuart dynasty, he ruled England and Scotland. He is known for his belief in the divine right of kings.

James I vs Parliament

The conflict between James I and Parliament over issues of governance, taxation, and royal authority, highlighting the tensions between monarchy and parliamentary power.

Charles I

The second monarch of the Stuart dynasty, he ruled England and is known for his struggles with Parliament, leading to the English Civil War.

Charles I vs Parliament

The ongoing conflict between Charles I and Parliament, marked by disputes over taxation, governance, and the extent of royal authority, ultimately culminating in the English Civil War.

The English Civil War

A series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Roundheads and Cavaliers in England from 1642 to 1651, primarily over governance and authority.

“Lord Protector”

A title held by Oliver Cromwell during the Commonwealth of England, representing a leader who governed without a monarchy.

Charles II

The king who was restored to the throne in 1660 after the Commonwealth, marking the beginning of the Restoration period in England.

“Merry Monarch”

A nickname for Charles II, emphasizing his lively reign and the cultural revival that occurred during the Restoration.

James II

The last Catholic monarch of England, whose reign saw conflict over royal authority and religious tolerance, ultimately leading to his abdication in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

William and Mary

The joint monarchs who ascended to the throne after the Glorious Revolution of 1688, establishing a constitutional monarchy in England.

Constitutional Monarchy

A system of governance in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government, limiting their authority and ensuring the rule of law.

The Sun King

A title for Louis XIV of France, who ruled with absolute power and centralized authority, epitomizing the principles of absolute monarchy.

“Le etat, c’est moi.”

This phrase, meaning "I am the state," is attributed to Louis XIV, reflecting his belief in the divine right of kings and the absolute power of the monarchy.

Jean Baptiste Colbert

A French statesman and finance minister under Louis XIV, known for his role in promoting mercantilism and strengthening the French economy.

Tariff

A tax imposed on imported goods to protect domestic industries and generate revenue for the government. F

Revocation of the Edict of Nantes

The act of King Louis XIV in 1685 that nullified the Edict of Nantes, leading to the persecution of Huguenots and the loss of religious freedom for Protestants in France.

War of Spanish Succession

A conflict from 1701 to 1714 involving several European powers, triggered by the death of the childless Charles II of Spain, leading to a struggle over the Spanish throne.

Treaty of Utrecht

The agreement signed in 1713 that ended the War of Spanish Succession.

Expenses of Louis’ wars

The financial burdens incurred by France due to King Louis XIV's military campaigns, which strained the economy and contributed to future unrest.

Versailles and its role

The Palace of Versailles was the royal residence of King Louis XIV, symbolizing the absolute monarchy of France, and served as a center for political power and cultural life.

The Romanovs

The ruling dynasty of Russia from 1613, known for its autocratic rule and significant influence in Russian history.

Serfdom

A system of labor in which peasants are bound to the land and under the control of landowners, prevalent in Russia under the Romanovs.

Boyars

The noble class in Russia who held significant power and land, often serving as advisors to the tsars and playing a key role in the governance of the country.

Eastern Orthodox Church

The primary Christian denomination in Russia, closely linked to the state and influential in shaping Russia’s Byzantine roots

Patriarch

The highest-ranking bishop in the Eastern Orthodox Church, serving as a spiritual leader and often influencing state affairs in Russia.

Modernization efforts in Russia during the time of Peter The Great

refers to the various reforms and initiatives undertaken in the 19th and 20th centuries to modernize the economy, military, and society, aimed at transforming Russia into a more industrialized and competitive nation.

St. Petersburg

The capital city of Russia founded by Peter the Great in 1703, designed to be a modern European-style city and a symbol of Russia's modernization efforts.

Moscow

The capital city of Russia, historically significant as a political, economic, and cultural center, and known for its rich history and architecture.

The Great Northern War

A conflict from 1700 to 1721 in which Russia, under Peter the Great, fought against Sweden to gain access to the Baltic Sea and establish itself as a major European power.

Black Sea

A body of water located between Eastern Europe and Western Asia, bordered by Russia. It played a significant role in trade and military conflicts throughout history.

Baltic Sea

A body of water located in Northern Europe, invaded in hopes to expand Russia’s dominance over Europe