Absolutism and Louis XIV

Flashcards covering key concepts related to the period of absolutism and the reign of Louis XIV in France.

Absolutism

A political system in which a monarch holds all power and authority, often justified by divine right.

Divine Right

The doctrine that kings derive their authority from God and are not accountable to their subjects.

Louis XIV

Known as the Sun King, he ruled France for over seventy years and exemplified absolutism in European monarchy.

Treaty of Westphalia

The peace treaty that ended the Thirty Years' War in 1648, marking the beginning of modern state sovereignty.

Nobles of the Robe

A class of French nobility that gained their status through purchasing government offices, as opposed to traditional military service.

Paulette

A tax on government officials in France that allowed them to secure their positions for life, leading to a powerful bureaucratic class.

Jansenism

A Catholic theological movement that emphasized rigorous spirituality and moral reform, opposing the lax practices of the church.

The Fronde

A series of civil wars in France between 1648 and 1653, which challenged the authority of the monarchy and highlighted the limits of royal power.

Jean Baptiste Colbert

Louis XIV's finance minister who advocated mercantilism and played a crucial role in enhancing the French economy.

Mercantilism

An economic theory that emphasizes the role of the state in managing the economy, based on the belief that wealth is finite.

The Edict of Nantes

A 1598 decree that granted religious freedom to Protestants in France, revoked by Louis XIV in 1685.

War of the Spanish Succession

A major conflict from 1701 to 1714 that arose over the claim to the Spanish throne, resulting in significant territorial losses for France.

Famine conditions

Severe scarcity of food that leads to widespread hunger, a recurrent issue for the population during Louis XIV's reign.

Versailles

A palace built by Louis XIV that became the center of political power and showcase of royal grandeur in France.

Coup d'état

A sudden and illegal seizure of government power, often by a small group.

Huguenots

French Protestants who faced persecution under Louis XIV's absolutism and many fled the country after the Edict of Nantes was revoked.

Thirty years war