History Midterms Study Guide

Terms and Places

Divine Right

The belief that monarchs receive their authority directly from God and are accountable only to God, not to their subjects.

The Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648)

A major European conflict fought mainly in the Holy Roman Empire, involving Catholics and Protestants, devastated Central Europe and ended with the Peace of Westphalia.

Versailles

A lavish palace built by Louis XIV near Paris, it became the center of French political power and symbolized the absolute monarchy.

Spanish Armada (1588)

A large fleet sent by Philip II of Spain to invade England; it was defeated by the English navy and storms.

Militant Catholicism

Aggressive efforts by the Catholic Church and Catholic rulers to stop the spread of Protestantism, especially during the Counter-Reformation.

Intendants

Royal officials in France were appointed by the king to enforce laws, collect taxes, and strengthen royal authority in the provinces.

War of the Austrian Succession (1740–1748)

A European war over whether Maria Theresa could inherit the Hapsburg throne; Prussia seized territory during the conflict.

Czar (Tsar)

The title used by Russian emperors, derived from “Caesar,” indicating supreme ruler.

St. Petersburg

A city founded by Peter the Great to serve as Russia’s western-oriented capital and a “window to the West.”

Boyars

Powerful Russian nobles who owned land and traditionally advised the czar.

Restoration (1660)

The return of the English monarchy after the Commonwealth period brought Charles II to the throne.

Bill of Rights (1689)

An English law limiting the power of the monarch and guaranteeing rights such as free speech in Parliament.

Habeas Corpus

A legal principle requiring authorities to justify imprisonment, protecting individuals from unlawful detention.

Heliocentric Theory

The theory that the sun is at the center of the universe and the planets revolve around it.

Geocentric Theory

The belief that Earth is the center of the universe and that all celestial bodies orbit it.

Scientific Method

A systematic process of observation, hypothesis, experimentation, and conclusion is used to discover scientific truths.

Philosophes

Enlightenment thinkers who used reason to critique society, government, and religion.