National States and Absolutism in Modern Europe

Flashcards covering the origins of national states, the development of absolutism across Europe (Spain, France, England, Austria, Prussia, and Russia), and the emergence of enlightened despotism and colonial empires.

National States

The political entities that emerged in Europe as feudal lords lost their power, allowing for the consolidation of authority under a king.

Absolutism

A system of government where the king's authority has no limits and his dictates must be followed regarding the lives and properties of his subjects.

Bourgeoisie

The social class that supported the hegemony of kings over feudal lords because they bore the weight of feudal taxes.

Charles V (Charles I)

A Spanish monarch who held vast territories in Spain, the colonies, Flanders, Naples, Sicily, and the Holy Roman Empire, famously stating, "In my domains, the sun never sets."

Philip II

The son of Charles V who represented the peak of Spanish absolutism and defended Catholicism against the Reformation; his fleet, the Armada Invencible, was defeated by England.

Divine Right

The French monarchical theory stating that power was a divine legacy and that the monarch only had to answer to God for his actions.

Louis XIV

A French monarch known by the phrase "The State is I" ("L'état, c'est moi"), under whose reign mercantilist policies were implemented to accumulate gold and silver.

Mercantilism

Economic policies put in place by absolute monarchs that focused on accumulating precious metals by limiting imports and increasing exports.

Henry VIII

A representative of English absolutism from the House of Tudor who made himself the head of the church, converting England to Anglicanism.

James I

The first monarch of the Stuart dynasty ($1603$) who was a proponent of absolute monarchy and tried to impose his will in politics and religion.

Grand Remonstrance (Memorial de Quejas)

A document issued by the English Parliament in $1641$ to remove command from Charles I due to his absolutist policies.

Maria Theresa

The daughter of Charles VI who fought to be recognized as the heiress of the Austrian territories of the Habsburg family.

Frederick II (The Great)

One of the most prominent monarchs who transformed Prussia into a modern power and is considered an enlightened despot.

Ivan the Terrible

The Zar who founded absolutism in Russia by unifying the country and extending Russian domination.

Peter I (The Great)

The Zar who modernized the Russian Empire by copying technology from Western countries and converting Russia into a military power.

Enlightened Despotism

A mid-$XVIII$ century political system that combined liberal ideas with absolute monarchy, characterized by the phrase: "Everything for the people, but without the people."

Capitalism

An economic system that emerged in National States as a result of the immense wealth generated by geographical discoveries.

Dutch East and West India Companies

Commercial companies that allowed Holland to displace Portugal and seize colonies in Indonesia, Brazil, and the Antilles.

United Kingdom of Great Britain

The political entity formed by the union of England and Scotland, where the monarch delegated executive functions to a prime minister chosen by Parliament.

Catherine the Great

The Russian Empress who expanded territory toward the Black Sea and Poland while maintaining the absolute court model copied from Europe.