Absolutism - AP World History Vocab 10

Divine right

Belief that a rulers authority comes directly from god.

Ivan IV

"The Terrible"; Russian ruler; cruel and tyranical; murdered nobility; extremely paranoid (killed his own son); taxed people heavily; took title of "czar"

Czar

Russian word for Caesar

Louis XIV

(1638-1715) Known as the Sun King, he was an absolute monarch that completely controlled France. One of his greatest accomplishments was the building of the palace at Versailles.

Versailles

A palace built by Louis XIV outside of Paris; it was home to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

Charles I

King of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1625-1649). His power struggles with Parliament resulted in the English Civil War (1642-1648) in which Charles was defeated. He was tried for treason and beheaded in 1649

English Civil War

Conflict from 1640 to 1660; featured religious disputes mixed with constitutional issues concerning the powers of the monarchy; ended with restoration of the monarchy in 1660 following execution of previous king

Oliver Cromwell

English general and statesman who led the parliamentary army in the English Civil War (1599-1658)

English Bill of Rights

1689 laws protecting the rights of English subjects and Parliament

Limited Monarchy

government in which a constitution or legislative body limits the monarch's powers

Absolutism

A form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)