Key Concepts of Absolutism and Constitutionalism

Absolutism

When sovereignty is embodied in the person of the ruler.

Bill of Rights

1689, no law can be suspended by the king; no taxes raised; no army maintained except by parliamentary consent. Established after The Glorious Revolution.

Constitutionalism

Limitation of government by law, developed in times of absolutism.

Oliver Cromwell

As Lord Protector of England he used his army to control the government and constituted military dictatorship.

"French Classicism"

Art, literature, and advancements of the age of Louis XIV.

Louis XIV

King of France who ruled as an absolute monarch, even as a child.

Mercantilism

The philosophy that a state's strength depends upon its wealth.

New Model Army

Created by Cromwell. Professional soldiers.

Peace of Utrecht

Ended Louis XIV's attempts to gain military power and land. Marked the end of French expansionist policy. Ended the War of Spanish Succession.

William of Orange

Dutch prince invited to be king of England after The Glorious Revolution. Joined League of Augsburg as a foe of Louis XIV.

Petition of Rights

Limited the power of Charles I of England. a) could not declare martial law; b) could not collect taxes; c) could not imprison people without cause; d) soldiers could not be housed without consent.

The Restoration

Restored the English monarchy to Charles II, both Houses of Parliament were restored, established the Anglican church, courts of law and local government.

"Sun King"

Louis XIV had the longest reign in European history. Helped France to reach its peak of absolutist development.

Sovereignty

Possessing a monopoly over the instruments of justice.

Boyars

Land owning aristocracy in early Russia.

Dvorianie

Established by Peter the Great, they received land and control of the peasants.

Hohenzollern

German royal family who ruled Brandenburg from 1415 and later extended their control to Prussia (1525). Under Frederick I (ruled 1701-1713) the family's possessions were unified as the kingdom of Prussia.

Junkers

Members of the Prussian landed aristocracy, a class formerly associated with political reaction and militarism.

Muscovy

A former principality in west-central Russia. Centered on Moscow, it was founded c. 1280 and existed as a separate entity until the 16th century, when it was united with another principality to form the nucleus of the early Russian empire. The name was then used for the expanded territory.

Romanovs

Russian dynasty, started with Michael Romanov after the Time of Troubles and lasted until 1917.

War of Austrian Succession

Conflict caused by the rival claims for the dominions of the Habsburg family. Before the death of Charles VI, Holy Roman emperor and archduke of Austria, many of the European powers had guaranteed that Charles's daughter Maria Theresa would succeed him.

Frederick William, the Great Elector

First man who made modern Prussia.

Capitalism

Economic theory of maintaining balance of exports and imports. The opposite of socialism and communism.

Cosmopolitanism

Urban growth during the agricultural revolution. It dealt with the migration from rural to urban areas.

Enclosure movement

18th century English movement, marked the rise of market oriented estate.