The Age of Absolute Monarchs and Enlightenment Ideas

Ferdinand and Isabella

Dual monarchs who financed Columbus' journey.

Christopher Columbus

Explorer who reached the Americas in 1492.

Charles V

Grandson of Ferdinand and Isabella, ruled Spain and Hapsburg Empire.

Hapsburg Empire

A vast empire including Spain and the Holy Roman Empire.

Philip II

Son of Charles V, ruled Spain with absolute authority.

Divine Right

Belief that monarchs derive authority directly from God.

Spanish Armada

A fleet of 130 ships sent against England in 1588.

Ottoman Empire

Islamic empire that battled Spain in the Mediterranean.

St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre

1572 event where thousands of Huguenots were murdered.

Huguenots

Protestant minority in France during the 16th century.

Henry IV

Huguenot king who converted to Catholicism for peace.

"Paris is well worth a mass"

Henry IV's quote showing his desire for national peace.

Louis XIII

Son of Henry IV, became king at five years old.

Cardinal Richelieu

Church official who governed France during Louis XIII's reign.

Louis XIV

Known as the Sun King, ruled France with absolute power.

"I am the State!"

Louis XIV's declaration of his absolute authority.

Estates General

Assembly representing various classes in France, became obsolete.

Religious Tolerance

Policy promoted by Ferdinand and Isabella in Spain.

Spanish Military Expansion

Bolstered by wealth from colonies and naval power.

Defeat of the Spanish Armada

Marked decline of Spain's power in Europe.

Catholic Majority vs. Protestant Minority

Conflict in France during the late 16th century.

Royal Wedding of 1572

Catalyst for the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre.

Versailles

Palace symbolizing Louis XIV's reign and excess.

Louis XIV

French king known for absolute monarchy and extravagance.

Gold plated rooms

Luxurious feature of Versailles palace's interior design.

Costly wars

Military conflicts that drained France's resources under Louis XIV.

Anglican Church

Church created by Henry VIII for divorce reasons.

Act of Supremacy

Established Henry VIII as head of the Church of England.

Parliament

Legislative body consulted by monarchs for governance.

Charles I

Monarch who ruled with absolute authority and faced revolt.

English Civil War

Conflict between Charles I and Parliament over power.

Cavaliers

Supporters of King Charles I during the Civil War.

Roundheads

Parliament supporters opposing Charles I in the Civil War.

Oliver Cromwell

Leader of the Parliament's New Model Army.

New Model Army

Parliament's military force during the English Civil War.

Execution of Charles I

First monarch executed by his own people in Europe.

Commonwealth

Republic established after the monarchy was abolished.

Lord Protector

Title held by Cromwell during the Commonwealth.

Puritan rule

Strict governance style under Cromwell's leadership.

Charles II

Restored monarchy after Cromwell's death in 1660.

James II

King whose pro-Catholic policies angered Protestants.

Glorious Revolution

Bloodless overthrow of James II by William and Mary.

William and Mary

Protestant monarchs who succeeded James II.

Military rule

Cromwell's governance characterized by strict military control.

William and Mary

Monarchs who accepted Parliament's laws for the throne.

English Bill of Rights

Document ensuring rights for English citizens post-revolution.

Glorious Revolution

Event creating a limited monarchy in England.

Limited Monarchy

Monarchy where power is restricted by law.

Constitutional Monarchy

System where king's power is defined by law.

Legacy of Glorious Revolution

Blueprint for future revolutions against absolute monarchs.

Enlightenment

Intellectual movement challenging absolute monarchy's authority.

John Locke

Philosopher advocating natural rights of life, liberty, property.

Natural Rights

Intrinsic rights that cannot be taken away.

Thomas Hobbes

Philosopher arguing for strong monarch due to human nature.

Leviathan

Hobbes' book advocating social contract for societal order.

Social Contract

Agreement where people surrender some rights for order.

Philosophes

French thinkers promoting Enlightenment ideas in society.

Voltaire

Philosopher advocating freedom of speech and religious tolerance.

Baron de Montesquieu

Proposed separation of government powers to protect liberty.

Branches of Government

Legislative, executive, and judicial divisions of power.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Philosopher believing society corrupts inherently good individuals.

The Social Contract

Rousseau's work discussing societal influence on human nature.

Revolutionary Spirit

Desire for rights and freedoms among oppressed populations.

Colonies in the Americas

Established by England in 1609, leading to conflict.

1776

Year American colonies rebelled against English crown.

Medieval Europe

Period characterized by superstition and outdated beliefs.

Freedom of Thought

Voltaire's advocacy for independent and critical thinking.