Absolutism and Constitutional Monarch ID

noblesse d'epee (sword nobles)

These were the traditional aristocracy of France whose prestige lay in military service, lineage, and feudal privileges; they often resisted the monarchy's centralizing efforts because their power base was independent and landed.

noblesse de robe (robe nobles)

These nobles gained their rank by holding judicial or administrative offices (often purchased) rather than by birth or military service; over time, their offices tended to become hereditary, and they came to be more directly tied to royal authority.

Louis XIII

As king of France (1610-1643), worked with Cardinal Richelieu to curb noble power, strengthen the royal bureaucracy, and lay the groundwork for absolute monarchy in France.

intendants

Royal officials sent to provinces to enforce laws and taxes, strengthening the crown's authority over local nobles.

Louis XIV

The "Sun King" (1643-1715) who embodied absolutism, built Versailles, and pursued wars to expand French power.

Cardinal Mazarin

The minister who ruled during Louis XIV's youth, continued centralization, and provoked noble uprisings through taxation.

Fronde

A series of noble and popular revolts (1648-1653) against Mazarin's policies, whose failure led to stronger royal authority.

Bishop Jacques Bossuet

The leading defender of divine right monarchy, teaching that kings ruled directly under God.

L' état c'est moi

Louis XIV's phrase, "I am the state," symbolizing absolute royal authority.

Jean-Baptiste Colbert

Finance minister who used mercantilist policies to grow wealth, fund wars, and sustain Versailles.

Marquis of Louvois

War minister who expanded, disciplined, and modernized the French army into the strongest in Europe.

War of the Spanish Succession

A major European war (1701-1714) fought to prevent France and Spain from uniting under Bourbon rule.

Treaties of Utrecht

The 1713 peace settlement ending the war, redistributing land, and establishing balance of power.

Cardinal Fleury

Chief minister for Louis XV who restored stability, avoided costly wars, and managed finances.

Hohenzollerns

The dynasty of Brandenburg-Prussia that built a militarized, centralized state.

Frederick William, the Great Elector

The Prussian ruler (1640-1688) who created a permanent army and centralized taxation.

Junkers

The Prussian nobility who supported rulers in exchange for control over serfs.

Maria Theresa

Habsburg ruler (1740-1780) who defended her inheritance, reorganized administration, and strengthened her empire.

Pragmatic Sanction

Charles VI's decree (1713) ensuring Maria Theresa's succession to Habsburg lands.

Muscovy

The Russian principality around Moscow that expanded into the foundation of the Russian Empire.

Ivan IV ("The Terrible")

The first Russian tsar (1547-1584) who expanded territory and imposed harsh autocracy.

boyars

The Russian nobility who often resisted the centralizing power of the tsars.

Romanovs

The Russian dynasty (1613-1917) that restored stability after the Time of Troubles and expanded Russia.

Duma

The Russian assembly of nobles that served mainly as an advisory council to the tsar.

Peter the Great

Tsar (1682-1725) who westernized Russia, built a navy, modernized the army, and reorganized the government.

"Window to the West"

Peter's policy of opening Russia to European ideas, trade, and diplomacy.

St. Petersburg

The new capital founded by Peter in 1703 that symbolized Russia's modernization.

Battle of Poltava

The 1709 victory over Sweden that secured Russia's place as a major European power.

James I

The first Stuart king (1603-1625) who clashed with Parliament over divine right and taxation.

Charles I

King (1625-1649) whose absolutist rule and unpopular taxes led to civil war and execution.

Ship Money

A traditional naval tax that Charles I illegally extended nationwide without Parliament.

Petition of Right

The 1628 document limiting royal taxation, imprisonment, and martial law without Parliament's approval.

Triennial Act

The 1641 law requiring Parliament to meet at least once every three years.

Writ of Habeas Corpus

The legal guarantee against imprisonment without trial.

Long Parliament

The body that sat from 1640-1660, resisting Charles I and leading England through the Civil War.

New Model Army

Parliament's disciplined force led by Cromwell that defeated royalist troops.

Pride's Purge

The 1648 event when Colonel Pride removed moderate MPs, leaving a radical parliament.

"Rump" Parliament

The remaining body after the purge that executed Charles I and abolished monarchy.

Act of Settlement

The 1701 law ensuring Protestant succession to the English throne.

Interregnum

The period (1649-1660) when England had no monarch and was ruled as a republic.

Test Act

The 1673 law excluding Catholics from public office.

Whigs

The faction supporting Parliament, Protestant succession, and limits on monarchy.

Tories

The faction supporting royal authority and the Anglican Church.

James II

Stuart king of England, Scotland and Ireland who in 1688 was overthrown in the 'Glorious Revolution' by William III. (Catholic)

English Bill of Rights

The 1689 settlement limiting monarchy, affirming parliamentary power, and protecting civil rights.

Robert Walpole

The first de facto prime minister who strengthened cabinet government and parliamentary rule.