ap euro chapt 15 absolutism

Witchcraft

A belief in magical powers or sorcery that became a serious issue during the 16th and 17th centuries, often leading to accusations, trials, and executions of alleged witches, especially in times of social and religious unrest.

The Thirty Years War

A devastating European conflict primarily fought in the Holy Roman Empire, originally rooted in religious tensions between Catholics and Protestants, but evolving into a struggle for political power between European monarchies.

Bohemian Phase

The first phase of the Thirty Years War, beginning with a rebellion in Bohemia against the Catholic Habsburgs, which led to the Protestant nobles being defeated by Catholic forces.

Danish Phase

The second phase of the Thirty Years War, marked by King Christian IV of Denmark's intervention on behalf of Protestants in northern Germany, which ended in defeat for Denmark and the strengthening of Habsburg power.

Swedish Phase

The third phase of the Thirty Years War, characterized by Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus’ military intervention to support Protestantism, leading to a temporary Swedish victory but his death in 1632.

Franco-Swedish Phase

The final phase of the Thirty Years War, during which Catholic France allied with Protestant Sweden against the Catholic Habsburgs of Spain and the Holy Roman Empire, leading to France’s eventual victory.

The Treaty of Westphalia

The 1648 peace agreement that ended the Thirty Years’ War, marking the decline of religious wars in Europe and recognizing the independence of the Dutch republic and Swiss confederacy, while fragmenting the Holy Roman Empire.

Gustavus Adolphus

King of Sweden, known for his military genius during the Thirty Years’ War, where he led Sweden to significant victories before his death at the Battle of Lützen in 1632.

Absolutism

A political system in which a monarch holds supreme power over the state, with no checks on their authority, often justified by the divine right to rule.

Divine-right monarchy

A form of monarchy where kings and queens claim their authority to rule is directly granted by God, making them answerable only to God and not to their subjects.

Cardinal Richelieu

Chief minister to King Louis XIII of France, who strengthened the monarchy by centralizing power, reducing the political power of the Huguenots, and managing France’s involvement in the Thirty Years' War.

Cardinal Mazarin

Successor to Richelieu as chief minister to Louis XIV, whose policies continued Richelieu’s centralizing efforts until his death, but his regency led to the Fronde, a series of noble rebellions against royal power.

Louis XIV

King of France, known as the Sun King, who is often regarded as the embodiment of absolute monarchy, centralizing power in the monarchy, expanding France’s borders, and building the lavish palace of Versailles.

The Fronde

A series of civil wars in France, largely instigated by the nobility in reaction to the centralizing policies of Cardinal Mazarin, which ultimately led to greater royal authority under Louis XIV.

Palace of Versailles

The grand royal residence built by Louis XIV outside Paris, symbolizing the absolute power of the king and serving as the center of political life and the French court.

The Intendant System

A system of royal officials established by Cardinal Richelieu, who were sent to the provinces to enforce royal policies and reduce the power of local nobles.

Parlements

Judicial bodies in France that had the power to register royal edicts, but often resisted royal authority, making them a key obstacle to royal absolutism.

Jean-Baptiste Colbert

Controller general of finances under Louis XIV, who implemented mercantilist policies to strengthen France’s economy, such as fostering new industries, improving transportation, and regulating goods, although some of his policies faced challenges.

War of Spanish Succession

A major European conflict involving Spain, France, and a coalition of other powers, primarily over the succession to the Spanish throne after the death of Charles II. It ended with the Treaty of Utrecht, which confirmed Philip V as king of Spain but prevented a French-Spanish union.

Frederick William the Great Elector (of the House of Hohenzollern)

The ruler of Brandenburg-Prussia, known for modernizing the state's military and administrative structure, setting the foundation for the rise of Prussia as a major European power.

Brandenburg-Prussia

A state that emerged as a powerful European force, especially under Frederick William the Great Elector, who established a strong military and bureaucratic system to strengthen the region’s position in Europe.

Boyars

The landowning nobles in Russia, who held significant power and wealth but were often at odds with the centralizing power of the tsar.

Peter the Great (focus on his westernisation as well as absolutism)

Tsar of Russia, lived between 1689–1725, who sought to westernize Russia, modernize its military, and expand its territory, including the construction of Saint Petersburg as a “window to the West”.

Holy Synod

A church body established by Peter the Great in 1721 to control the Russian Orthodox Church, headed by a procurator who represented the tsar’s interests.

Table of Ranks

A system introduced by Peter the Great to create a hierarchy of state service, ensuring loyalty from the nobility by granting titles and promotions based on merit rather than birth.

Great Northern War

A war that took place between 1700–1721 in which Russia, Denmark, and Poland fought against Sweden for control of the Baltic Sea. Russia’s victory established it as a major European power.

Suleiman I

Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, known for his military conquests, the expansion of the empire, and significant legal reform.

Dutch Golden Age

A period in the 17th century when the Dutch Republic became a dominant economic, cultural, and naval power, leading in trade, arts, and sciences.

King James I

King of England, the first Stuart monarch, whose reign was marked by struggles with Parliament over issues like taxation and royal prerogative, and who authorized the King James Bible.

King Charles I

King of England, whose conflict with Parliament over issues of taxation, royal authority, and religious reforms led to the English Civil War and his eventual execution.

Petition of Right

A constitutional document that limited the king’s power by affirming certain rights of subjects, including the prohibition of arbitrary imprisonment and non-parliamentary taxation.

English Civil War (know both sides)

A series of conflicts between supporters of King Charles I and Parliament, culminating in the execution of Charles I and the establishment of the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell.

Oliver Cromwell

Leader of the Parliamentary forces during the English Civil War, later becoming Lord Protector of the Commonwealth after the execution of King Charles I. His regime was marked by military dictatorship and religious intolerance.

King Charles II

King of England, restored to the throne after the English Commonwealth, and known for his efforts to consolidate royal authority and his conflicts with Parliament.

The Glorious Revolution

The 1688 overthrow of King James II of England, leading to the ascension of William and Mary of Orange to the throne, which resulted in the establishment of constitutional monarchy in England.

William and Mary of Orange

King and Queen of England, their reign marked the constitutional changes in the Glorious Revolution, including the Bill of Rights and the establishment of Parliamentary sovereignty.

Mannerism

An artistic style that emerged in the late Renaissance, characterized by exaggerated proportions, emotional intensity, and complex compositions, as a reaction to the harmony and balance of high Renaissance art.

Baroque

A dramatic and ornate style of art, architecture, and music that emerged in the 17th century, known for its grandeur, movement, and emotional intensity, often used by Catholic rulers to assert power.