The Age of Absolutism and The Enlightenment (Global 2: Unit 1)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, historical figures, and philosophical concepts from the Age of Absolutism and the Enlightenment.

Absolutism

The belief in complete and unrestricted power in government

Divine Right

The idea that a ruler's authority came directly from God, claiming the monarch’s permission to rule came directly from God, commanding absolute obedience from their subjects.

Parliaments

Law-making bodies of government meant to check a monarch's power, though absolute rulers often held the power to dissolve them at will.

Louis XIV

French monarch known as "The Sun King", built the Palace of Versailles, and centralized power without calling the Estates General (France’s 3 chamber law making body) leaving no check on the king’s powers. Persecuted the Huguenots (French protestants). He would host extravagant parties at Versailles which left France in significant debt, causing social unrest among citizens.

Peter the Great

Used absolute rule to force modernization and westernization on Russia, built St. Petersburg as a "Window on the West” to trade with western Europe, and expanded Russian territory and used his large army to gain ports. Ended Russian isolation

Glorious Revolution

The bloodless 1688 transfer of power in England in which Mary and William Henry of Orange replaced James II after signing the English Bill of Rights.

Limited Monarchy

A system of government in which a legislative body limits the powers of the monarch.

The Enlightenment

Also known as the Age of Reason, a time period where the use of reason and logic guided human thoughts about philosophy, human nature, society, and government.

Thomas Hobbes

English philosopher who wrote Leviathan, arguing that human beings are naturally cruel, greedy, and selfish, requiring an absolute monarchy to maintain order. If they are not controlled, they would kill, rob, and oppress each other.

Social Contract

An agreement by which people give up some of their rights for an organized society presided over by the government.

John Locke

English philosopher who wrote Two Treatises of Government, arguing that people are reasonable and moral with natural rights (liberty, property, life), and that the government’s role is to protect people’s natural rights and their power comes from the consent of the governed (citizens/people). If the government violated people’s rights, then the people could overthrow the gov’t and replace it with one that does protect their rights.

Natural Rights

Rights that belong to all humans from birth, life, liberty, and property.

Voltaire

French philosopher who believed and supported freedom of speech and religion, criticized government and church abuses, and wrote Candide, supported a limited monarchy

Baron de Montesquieu

French philosopher who wrote The Spirit of Laws, proposing that government power be divided into three branches (judicial, legislative, executive) with checks and balances to prevent one branch from getting too powerful.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

French philosopher who wrote The Social Contract, people are born good but corrupted by civilization and unequal distribution of property, and advocating for government guided by the general will (the good of the community as a whole should be above individual interests). Some gov’t control is necessary but be kept minimal. Equality of all people before the law and to have a say in gov’t.

Mary Wollstonecraft

English writer who wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792), advocating for equal education for women and men to achieve social equality. If girls receive the same education as men, not only would they be great wives and mothers but also capable workers in many professions.

Laissez-faire

An economic policy allowing businesses to operate freely and make decisions with little or no government interference.

Adam Smith

British economist who wrote The Wealth of Nations (1776), arguing that the free market governed by supply and demand and an "invisible hand" (when individuals follow their own interests, it unintentionally benefit society by providing goods) should regulate business activity. Free market is supply and demand depends on consumers, if there is demand then suppliers should seek to meet the demand to get profits, if there is no demand then supply should stop. Capitalism is great as it has shown great economic growth and encourages innovation and hard work but it is also bad as it can lead to inequality and massive exploitation.

Absolute Monarchy

ruler has complete authority over the government and the lives of the people. Their rule was unlimited and unchecked. They reigned over most of Europe, except England.

English Bill of Rights

A set of acts passed by Parliament to ensure superiority over the monarchy. Stated that the monarch must work regularly with Parliament and give House of Commons financial control, abolished excessive fines and cruel punishments, affirmed that no person could be held in jail without first being charged with a crime. England became a limited monarchy because of this and provided the basis for the evolution of the prime minister.