European Absolutism; Ottoman Empire

Absolutism

The idea that a ruler is not subject to checks by any other agency; often associated with the concept of divine right.

Divine Right

The belief that monarchs are preordained to rule and only answer to God.

Magna Carta

A document signed in 1215 limiting the powers of the monarchy in England.

Renaissance

A period of cultural rebirth in Europe following the Black Death, characterized by a revival of art and learning.

Protestant Reformation

A religious and political challenge to the authority of the Pope and the Catholic Church, initiated by Martin Luther's 95 Theses.

Thirty Years War

A series of conflicts in Europe from 1618 to 1648, primarily involving the Hapsburgs and French Bourbons.

Gunpowder Empires

Empires that expanded their power using gunpowder technology; includes the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires.

Janissaries

Elite military force formed from Christian boys taken through the devshirme system, indoctrinated to be loyal to the Sultan.

Devshirme System

A selection system where Christian boys were forcibly recruited to serve in the Ottoman government and military.

Harem Politics

The political maneuvering of wives and concubines within the royal court to promote their children's interests.

Louis XIV

The 'Sun King' of France, epitomizing absolute monarchy with his famous quote 'L'état, c'est moi' ('I am the state').

Peter the Great

Tsar who modernized Russia and expanded its territory through extensive reforms and westernization.

Catherine the Great

Empress of Russia who expanded the empire and promoted the arts and education, often seen as a significant figure of absolutism.

Serfdom

The status of peasants under feudalism, whereby they were tied to the land and subject to the will of their landowners.

Westernization

The adoption of Western ideas, technology, and culture, famously pursued by Peter the Great in Russia.

Tzarist Autocracy

The system of government in Russia wherein the Tsar had absolute power over the state and ruled with little to no constraints.

Divine Right of Kings

A political and religious doctrine asserting that a monarch's right to rule comes directly from God.

Russian Empire

A major world power from the 18th to 20th centuries, marked by territorial expansion and a strong central authority.

Centralization of Power

The process by which a government consolidates authority, reducing the power of local leaders and institutions.

Boyar Class

The noble class in Russia, often in conflict with the Tsars for political power and influence.

Suleiman I (The Magnificent)

Longest-reigning Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, known for his military conquests, administrative reforms, and patronage of the arts.

Ottoman Politics

The complex system of governance in the Ottoman Empire characterized by a centralized authority, with the Sultan at the top and a bureaucratic structure supporting the administration.

Ottoman Architecture

A style that fused Islamic and Byzantine elements, often featuring large mosques, intricate tile work, and extensive use of domes and minarets.

Renaissance Art

Characterized by a renewed interest in classical themes and humanism, it featured advancements in perspective, anatomy, and the use of light and shadow.

Economy of the Ottoman Empire

Based on agriculture and trade, the economy thrived on the Silk Road and was bolstered by a system of taxes and state monopolies on certain goods.

French Renaissance

The cultural movement in France during the late 15th to early 17th centuries, marked by the flourishing of literature, philosophy, and visual arts.

Humanism

A Renaissance movement focusing on human potential and achievements, emphasizing literature, philosophy, and the study of classical texts.

Cultural Synthesis

The blending of diverse cultural influences, notably seen in the Ottoman Empire's arts and architecture as it incorporated elements from various regions.

Louis XVI

The last King of France before the French Revolution, known for his attempt to reform France's financial system that ultimately failed.

Philip II of Spain

The King of Spain who ruled during the Spanish Armada's failed invasion of England and known for his reign's vast territorial expansion.

Frederick the Great

The King of Prussia known for his military victories, his reforms in government, and his promotion of the arts and Enlightenment ideas.

Augustus II of Poland

The Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, noted for his efforts to centralize authority and strengthen the Polish state.

Charles V

Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain known for uniting the Spanish and the Habsburg territories during his reign.

Elizabeth I

The Queen of England who established Protestantism in England and led the country during a period of great cultural and political achievement.

Henry VIII

King of England known for his six marriages and for initiating the English Reformation, leading to the Church of England's break from the Catholic Church.

Maria Theresa

The only female ruler of the Habsburg dominions, known for her extensive reforms that modernized her empire and her conflict with Prussia.

Martin Luther

A German theologian who initiated the Protestant Reformation by posting his 95 Theses in 1517, challenging the Catholic Church's practices.

95 Theses

A list of propositions written by Martin Luther that criticized the Catholic Church's sale of indulgences and called for reform.

John Calvin

A Protestant reformer whose teachings emphasized predestination and a strict moral code, influential in the development of Calvinism.

Anglicanism

A branch of Protestant Christianity that arose from the English Reformation, initially established by Henry VIII.

Counter-Reformation

The Catholic Church's response to the Protestant Reformation, aimed at reforming the Church and reaffirming Catholic doctrines.

Diet of Worms

A council convened in 1521 where Martin Luther was called to recant his teachings but famously refused, leading to his excommunication.

Huguenots

French Protestants influenced by John Calvin, who faced persecution during the French Wars of Religion.

Peace of Augsburg

A 1555 treaty that allowed German princes to choose either Catholicism or Lutheranism as the accepted confession in their territories.

Lutheranism

A major branch of Protestant Christianity founded on the teachings of Martin Luther, focusing on justification by faith alone.

Anabaptists

A radical sect of the Reformation that advocated for adult baptism and a separation from state churches, often facing persecution.