Semester 1 Exam Review: Absolutism to Industrial Revolution

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts related to the historical themes of absolutism, the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, and the Industrial Revolution, providing definitions and important context for exam preparation.

Absolutism

A political system in which a single ruler possesses absolute power and authority.

Divine Right

The doctrine that monarchs derive their right to rule directly from the will of God.

Mercantilism

An economic theory that emphasizes the role of the state in managing international trade to increase national wealth.

Enclosure Movement

The process of consolidating small landholdings into larger farms, which often displaced peasant farmers.

Defenestration

The act of throwing someone out of a window; historically significant in events like the Defenestration of Prague.

Peace of Westphalia

A series of peace treaties that ended the Thirty Years' War in 1648 and marked the beginning of modern state sovereignty.

Louis XIV

French monarch who reigned from 1643 to 1715, known for his absolute rule and the establishment of the Palace of Versailles.

Fronde

A series of civil wars in France between 1648 and 1653, during the minority of Louis XIV.

Anglican Church

A branch of the Christian church formed by Henry VIII, also known as the Church of England.

Social Contract

A theoretical agreement in political philosophy that defines the relationship between individuals and the government.

Enlightenment

An intellectual and cultural movement in the 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional doctrines.

Scientific Revolution

A period of significant advancements in scientific thought and experimentation during the 16th to 18th centuries.

Geocentric

The astronomical model in which the Earth is at the center of the universe.

Heliocentric

The astronomical model that places the Sun at the center of the universe, proposed by Copernicus.

Democracy

A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives.

Taxation without representation

The principle that it is unfair to tax someone without giving them a voice or representation in the government.

Coup d’état

A sudden, illegal overthrow of a government, often executed by a small group.