European Absolutism, Revolutions, and Key Historical Figures

Absolute Monarchy

A system where a ruler holds total political, military, and economic power with no legal limits.

Divine Right

The belief that a monarch's authority comes directly from God and cannot be challenged.

Standing Army

A permanent, professional army controlled by the monarch rather than nobles.

Centralized Government

A system where political authority is concentrated in the national ruler instead of local nobles.

Inflation (Spain)

A rise in prices caused by massive silver imports from the Americas.

Mercantilism

An economic system where governments control trade to increase national wealth and power.

State-Building

The process of strengthening royal power by weakening nobles and controlling institutions.

Philip II

King of Spain who ruled as an absolute monarch, defended Catholicism, and controlled a global empire.

Charles V

Habsburg ruler who controlled Spain, the Holy Roman Empire, and American colonies before retiring.

1580 (Portugal Seized)

Philip II took control of Portugal after its king died without an heir.

Spanish Armada

A massive Spanish naval fleet sent to invade England.

Spanish Armada Defeated year

1588. England defeated Spain's Armada, weakening Spanish dominance.

Battle of Lepanto (1571)

Catholic forces defeated the Ottoman navy, slowing Ottoman expansion.

Escorial Palace

Philip II's massive palace-monastery symbolizing royal power and Catholic faith.

El Greco

Painter known for distorted figures, intense emotion, and strong Catholic themes.

Diego Velázquez

Court painter to Philip IV who portrayed royal power and court life.

Miguel de Cervantes

Author of Don Quixote, considered the first modern European novel.

1605 (Don Quixote Published)

Marked the birth of the modern European novel.

Louis XIV

Absolute monarch of France who centralized power and claimed 'I am the state.'

1643-1715 (Reign of Louis XIV)

Period when France was ruled by the most powerful absolute monarch in Europe.

Versailles

Lavish palace used by Louis XIV to control nobles and display royal power.

Intendants

Royal officials who enforced laws and collected taxes for the king.

Colbert

Finance minister who strengthened France's economy through mercantilism.

Thirty Years' War (1618-1648)

A devastating conflict over religion and power in Central Europe.

Peace of Westphalia (1648)

Treaty that ended the Thirty Years' War and weakened the Holy Roman Empire.

Maria Theresa

Habsburg ruler who strengthened Austria through reforms and centralization.

Frederick the Great

King of Prussia who built a powerful military state.

Hohenzollerns

Ruling family of Prussia who expanded power through military discipline.

Ivan the Terrible

First Russian czar who used terror to destroy noble power.

Peter the Great

Russian czar who modernized Russia and expanded its military.

1682-1725 (Peter the Great's Reign)

Period of intense Westernization and reform in Russia.

St. Petersburg

New capital built to give Russia access to Western Europe.

Westernization

Adoption of European technology, culture, and military practices.

James I

English king who believed strongly in divine right and clashed with Parliament.

Charles I

King executed after losing the English Civil War.

English Civil War (1642-1649)

Conflict between Parliament and the monarchy.

1649 (Execution of Charles I)

Marked the end of absolute monarchy in England.

Oliver Cromwell

Military leader who ruled England after the monarchy fell.

Glorious Revolution (1688)

Bloodless overthrow of James II that strengthened Parliament.

William of Orange

Dutch leader invited to rule England under constitutional limits.

English Bill of Rights (1689)

Law that limited royal power and protected parliamentary rights.

Dutch Republic

A wealthy, self-governing state with limited monarchy.

Tulip Mania (1633-1637)

Economic bubble caused by speculation in tulip bulbs.

Cause of Absolutism

Religious wars, economic instability, and weak feudal systems.

Effect of Absolutism

Strong states, heavy taxation, wars, and growing resentment.

Connection to Revolutions

Absolutism inspired later revolutions like the French Revolution.