Age of Absolutism Test Study Guide

Absolute Monarchs

Rulers with centralized, unrestricted power over subjects.

Divine Right

Justification for monarchs claiming God-given authority.

Philip II of Spain

Inherited Spanish Netherlands, parts of Italy, colonies.

Kingdom of Portugal

Seized by Philip II in 1580 after king's death.

The Escorial

Philip II's massive granite palace in Spain.

Patron of the Arts

Supporter of artists like El Greco, Velasquez.

Spanish Netherlands Revolt

Calvinists opposed Philip II's oppressive Catholic rule.

Queen Elizabeth I

Supported Protestant forces against Philip II's rule.

Spanish Invasion of Britain

Defeat led to decline of Spanish military power.

Decline of Spain

Caused by inflation, taxes, and loss of artisans.

Edict of Nantes

1598 decree allowing Huguenots to worship peacefully.

Bourbons

French royal dynasty starting with Henry IV.

King Louis XIV

Known as the Sun King, ruled for 72 years.

Louis XIV's Quote

"I am the state" reflects his absolute power.

Inflation

Increased prices due to demand for goods.

Silver Bullion

Flooded market, decreasing its value significantly.

Noble Class Taxes

Nobles exempt from taxes, burden fell on lower class.

Dutch Revolt

Conflict contributing to Spain's financial decline.

Bankruptcy

Philip II declared Spain bankrupt three times.

Calvinism

Protestant denomination opposing Philip II's Catholicism.

Huguenots

French Protestants granted rights by the Edict of Nantes.

Artistic Patronage

Monarchs supported cultural developments during their reign.

Hostility of Monarchs

Absolute monarchs often ruled with aggression and oppression.

Life Rule

Absolute monarchs typically ruled for their lifetime.

Spanish Military Decline

Resulted from failed invasions and financial issues.

Philip II's Religious Policy

Enforced Catholicism, leading to revolts in territories.

Merchants and Artisans

Expulsion of groups weakened Spain's economic strength.

Guilds

Old-fashioned production methods requiring imports for goods.

Cardinal Mazarin

Worked with King Louis XIV in France.

Intendant System

Government agents managing districts for the king.

Palace of Versailles

Royal residence of King Louis XIV.

Noble Control

Louis XIV forced nobles to live at Versailles.

Edict of Nantes

Canceled by Louis XIV for religious uniformity.

Huguenots

Protestants who fled France after Edict cancellation.

Spanish Netherlands Invasion

Louis XIV invaded in 1667.

Dutch Netherlands Invasion

Louis XIV invaded in 1672.

Charles II's Promise

Louis XIV's grandson to unite Spain and France.

War of Spanish Succession

Conflict to prevent Spanish-French unification.

Treaty of Utrecht

Allowed Louis's grandson to rule France, Spain separately.

Gibraltar

Acquired by Britain through Treaty of Utrecht.

French Debt

Louis XIV's heavy taxation led to future resentment.

Peace of Augsburg

Princes decide religion of their territories, signed 1555.

Thirty Years' War

Caused by Ferdinand II's actions against Protestants.

War Duration

Thirty Years' War lasted from 1618 to 1648.

Treaty of Westphalia

Established independent states, ending Catholic Empire rule.

Habsburgs

Austrian family dominant in central Europe post-war.

Hohenzollerns

Brandenburg and Prussian family rivaling Habsburgs.

Frederick II

Leader opposing Maria Theresa in Austrian Succession.

Maria Theresa

Leader opposing Frederick II in Austrian Succession.

Seven Years' War

Fought from 1756 to 1768, major European conflict.

Peter the Great

Romanov leader who modernized Russia.

Russian Orthodox Church Control

Peter placed it under state control, abolishing Patriarch.

Peter the Great

Russian czar who westernized Russia's culture.

Westernization

Process of adopting Western European customs.

Warm-water port

Port that remains ice-free year-round.

St. Petersburg

City established by Peter the Great.

Magna Carta

Document granting rights to nobles in 1215.

Tudor monarchs

Rulers of England from 1485 to 1603.

James Stuart

Ruled England after Queen Elizabeth I.

Charles I

King who dissolved Parliament for funds.

Petition of Right

Document Charles I signed, then ignored.

English Civil War

Conflict between Royalists and Parliamentarians.

Oliver Cromwell

Leader of the Roundheads in Civil War.

Charles I's execution

First public trial and execution of a monarch.

Restoration

Period of Charles II's reign after Cromwell.

Habeas Corpus

Right to a trial before detention.

James II

Catholic king who violated English laws.

Glorious Revolution

Bloodless overthrow of James II.

English Bill of Rights

Limits monarch's power, ensures Parliament's authority.

Constitutional monarchy

Monarchy sharing power with Parliament.

Roundheads

Parliamentarian supporters during the English Civil War.

Serfs

Peasants who built St. Petersburg.

Anglican prayerbook

Book that caused Scottish revolt against Charles I.

Public trial

Trial held in front of the public.

Cromwell's dictatorship

Absolute rule following the English Civil War.

Financial struggles

Monarchs faced debt and funding issues.

Parliament's role

Legislative body representing English citizens.

Dissolving Parliament

Action taken by monarchs to avoid funding issues.

Parliamentary grievances

Concerns citizens could petition the King.