Wars of Religion and Early Modern European History

This set of flashcards covers key terms and definitions related to the Wars of Religion, early modern European history, and significant historical events.

Da Gama

Discovered sea routes to commercial centers of the Arab world in 1498.

Encomienda

A labor and land system where Indians worked for landowners a set number of days weekly.

Commercial Capitalism

Economic system from late Middle Ages to modern times; characterized by trade route expansion and merchant class growth.

Mercantilists

Believed in protecting producers from competition through internal tariffs.

Junkers

Manorial lords in Germany.

Siglo De Oro

Spanish Golden Age (1550-1650) marked by advancements in culture and power.

Council of Troubles

A council used by Duke of Alva to suppress religious and political dissent in the Netherlands.

Twelve Years’ Truce

A 1609 treaty that partitioned the Netherlands; led to the establishment of the Union of Utrecht.

Huguenots

French Calvinists causing rebellion and demanding rights during the 16th century.

St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre

The 1572 massacre instigated by Catherine de Medici leading to the death of thousands of Huguenots.

Edict of Nantes

A 1598 decree granting religious freedom to Protestants in their households.

Defenestration of Prague

The event in 1618 where Bohemians threw diplomats from a window, marking the start of the Thirty Years' War.

Protestant Union

A coalition of German states formed to defend Protestant liberties.

Treaty of 1494

Agreement asserting the division of the globe between Spain and Portugal along a north-south line.

Unification of the United Provinces of Netherlands

The 1581 declaration formed by the Union of Utrecht by 7 northern provinces.

Da Gama

Discovered sea routes to commercial centers of the Arab world in 1498.

Encomienda

A labor and land system where Indians worked for landowners a set number of days weekly.

Commercial Capitalism

Economic system from late Middle Ages to modern times; characterized by trade route expansion and merchant class growth.

Mercantilists

Believed in protecting producers from competition through internal tariffs.

Junkers

Manorial lords in Germany.

Siglo De Oro

Spanish Golden Age (1550-1650) marked by advancements in culture and power.

Council of Troubles

A council used by Duke of Alva to suppress religious and political dissent in the Netherlands.

Twelve Years’ Truce

A 1609 treaty that partitioned the Netherlands; led to the establishment of the Union of Utrecht.

Huguenots

French Calvinists causing rebellion and demanding rights during the 16th century.

St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre

The 1572 massacre instigated by Catherine de Medici leading to the death of thousands of Huguenots.

Edict of Nantes

A 1598 decree granting religious freedom to Protestants in their households.

Defenestration of Prague

The event in 1618 where Bohemians threw diplomats from a window, marking the start of the Thirty Years' War.

Protestant Union

A coalition of German states formed to defend Protestant liberties.

Treaty of 1494

Agreement asserting the division of the globe between Spain and Portugal along a north-south line.

Unification of the United Provinces of Netherlands

The 1581 declaration formed by the Union of Utrecht by 7 northern provinces.

Why did European powers seek new sea routes in the 15th century?

To bypass the Ottoman Empire's control over traditional land trade routes to Asia and access valuable spices and goods directly.

What was a primary consequence of the Encomienda system in Spanish colonies?

Severe exploitation and forced labor of indigenous populations, leading to depopulation and social disruption.

What was a core belief of Mercantilism regarding a nation's wealth?

That a nation's wealth and power were best increased by maximizing exports and minimizing imports to accumulate bullion (gold and silver).

What event immediately preceded the Defenestration of Prague and contributed to tensions in Bohemia?

The election of Ferdinand II, a staunch Catholic, as King of Bohemia, who revoked Protestant freedoms.

What was the main objective of the Council of Troubles established by the Duke of Alva?

To crush Protestantism and political opposition in the Netherlands through severe repression, including mass arrests and executions.

What was the broader conflict that the Huguenots were involved in during 16th-century France?

The French Wars of Religion, a series of civil wars between Catholics and Protestants (Huguenots).

What was the name of the 1494 agreement that divided newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal?

The Treaty of Tordesillas, which drew a meridian through the Atlantic Ocean.