3.2-3.4 Absolutism and Constitutionalism

Absolutism

A form of government in which the ruler holds absolute, or total, power, often justified by the divine right of kings, where monarchs claimed their right to rule came directly from God.

Constitutional Monarchy

A system of governance in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government, such as a parliament. This became prominent in England after the Glorious Revolution.

Divine Right of Kings

The belief that a monarch's authority comes directly from God, and therefore the monarch is not accountable to earthly authorities, such as a parliament.

The Glorious Revolution (1688)

The event in which James II of England was overthrown and replaced by William of Orange and his wife Mary. This revolution was 'glorious' because it was largely bloodless and led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in England.

The English Civil War (1642-1651)

A series of conflicts between Royalists, who supported King Charles I, and Parliamentarians, who opposed his attempts to rule without parliamentary consent. The war led to the temporary overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of a Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell.

Oliver Cromwell

Leader of the Parliamentarian forces during the English Civil War. After the execution of Charles I, Cromwell became Lord Protector of the Commonwealth, ruling England as a republic.

Restoration (1660)

The period in which the monarchy was restored in England after the collapse of the Commonwealth, with Charles II taking the throne.

The Agricultural Revolution

A period of technological innovation and changes in agricultural practices that significantly increased food production in Europe, contributing to population growth and urbanization.

Enclosure Movement

The legal process in England of consolidating small landholdings into larger farms, which led to increased agricultural efficiency but also displaced many peasants, contributing to the growth of urban labor forces.

Mercantilism

An economic theory prevalent in Europe from the 16th to the 18th century, which emphasized the accumulation of wealth, primarily gold and silver, through a positive balance of trade and the establishment of colonies.

The Peace of Westphalia (1648)

A series of treaties that ended the Thirty Years' War in the Holy Roman Empire and the Eighty Years' War between Spain and the Dutch Republic. It marked the beginning of the modern state system and the principle of national sovereignty.

Balance of Power

A diplomatic concept that emerged in early modern Europe, aimed at preventing any one state from becoming too powerful and threatening the stability of the region. It was a guiding principle of European diplomacy after the Peace of Westphalia.

Bill of Rights (1689)

A key document in English history that established parliamentary sovereignty and limited the powers of the monarchy. It was passed after the Glorious Revolution as a condition of William and Mary's acceptance of the English throne.

Putting-out System

An early form of industrial production where merchants supplied raw materials to rural workers, who then processed them into finished products. This system laid the foundation for the later development of factories during the Industrial Revolution.