Study Guide: Absolutism, Constitutionalism, and Philosophical Influences in Europe Absolutism and Constitutionalism

What is the definition of Absolutism?

A system of government where a monarch (king or queen) holds total and unquestionable power over their state.

What is the definition of Constitutionalism?

A system of government where the ruler's power is limited by a set of laws, a constitution, or a representative body, often shared with a parliament.

What is the main difference between Absolutism and Constitutionalism?

Absolutism grants total power to the monarch, while constitutionalism limits monarchical power through laws and shared governance.

What is 'Divine Right' as supported by monarchs?

It is a religious justification for absolute rule, asserting that the monarch's authority originated directly from God, making them answerable only to Him and not to their subjects.

What was John Locke's most influential work?

Two Treatises of Government

What natural rights did John Locke believe people are born with?

Life, liberty, and property.

What was Louis XIV of France known as?

The "Sun King".

What famous phrase did Louis XIV declare to symbolize his absolute power?

"L'État c'est moi" ("I am the state").

What were some of Peter the Great's key reforms?

He modernized and expanded Russian power by westernizing society, reforming the military, and expanding territory.

How did Peter the Great control the Russian nobility (boyars)?

He gained more control by forcing them to serve in the government or military, requiring them to adopt Western styles, and replacing the old boyar council with a Senate under his direct control.

What was Frederick the Great of Prussia's role as a monarch?

King of Prussia who ruled with absolute power, embodying enlightened absolutism.

What was Frederick the Great's approach to the military?

He significantly strengthened Prussia's military by reorganizing the army, emphasizing strict discipline and training, and frequently using this formidable force to expand Prussian territory and influence in Europe.

What were the common goals of absolute monarchs like Louis XIV, Peter the Great, and Frederick the Great?

They all tried to centralize power within their states, reduce the influence and autonomy of the nobility, and expand the power and territory of their respective nations.

What was the Petition of Right (1628)?

A significant English document passed in 1628 that served to limit the king's power.

Name two provisions of the Petition of Right (1628).

Prohibited the king from levying taxes without Parliament's approval, forbidding imprisonment without due cause, banning the quartering of soldiers in private homes without consent, and outlawing martial law in peacetime.

What was the English Bill of Rights (1689)?

An act passed in 1689 that further limited the power of the monarchy and guaranteed certain rights to English citizens, marking a crucial step towards constitutional monarchy.

List two guaranteed rights from the English Bill of Rights (1689).

Freedom of speech within Parliament, regular parliamentary elections, and protection against cruel and unusual punishment.

How did the English Bill of Rights limit the monarchy's power and impact Parliament?

It explicitly required monarchs to follow the laws of the land and significantly increased the power and authority of Parliament relative to the Crown, establishing parliamentary supremacy.