unit 3 absolutism

Absolutism

A system where a monarch holds total power with no checks from nobles or parliament.

Why Absolutism Emerges

Decline of feudalism, growth of cities, need for order after religious wars, larger armies requiring strong centralized control.

Spain

Hapsburgs

Divine Right

The belief that monarchs receive their authority directly from God.

France

Bourbons

Austria

Hapsburgs

Prussia

Hohenzollerns

Russia

Romanovs

Spanish Hapsburg Decline

Caused by costly wars, economic problems, inflation, Dutch Revolt, and Armada defeat.

Louis XIV and French Absolutism

Strengthened monarchy, built Versailles, controlled nobles, expanded army, and centralized government.

Holy Roman Empire

A loose collection of hundreds of German states under an elected emperor.

Electors (HRE)

Seven powerful princes who chose the Holy Roman Emperor.

Names of Electors 1

Archbishop of Mainz

Names of Electors 2

Archbishop of Trier

Names of electors 3

Archbishop of Cologne

Names of Electors 4

King of Bohemia

Names of Electors 5

Count Palatine of the Rhine (the Palatinate)

Names of Electors 6

Duke of Saxony

Names of Electors 7

Margrave of Brandenburg

Causes of the 30 Years War

Religious conflict, political rivalries, and the Defenestration of Prague.

Effects of the 30 Years War on People

Widespread famine, disease, destruction, and population loss.

Why the 30 Years War Lasted So Long

Many nations joined; goals shifted from religion to political power.

Growth of Prussia

Built a strong army and centralized government under the Hohenzollerns.

War of Austrian Succession — Cause

Frederick the Great invaded Silesia when Maria Theresa inherited Austria.

War of Austrian Succession — Result

Prussia gained Silesia; Austria stayed politically strong.

Seven Years War (1756–63)

A global conflict; Britain became a top colonial power; Prussia survived major attacks.

Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible)

First czar; expanded Russia but ruled harshly and targeted boyars.

Boyars

Russian nobles who held significant power before absolutism.

Romanovs

Dynasty that restored order after the Time of Troubles.

Peter the Great

Modernized Russia through westernization, new military/navy, and government reforms.

Grand Embassy

Peter’s trip to Western Europe to learn modern technology and ideas.

St. Petersburg

New Russian capital built by Peter to modernize Russia and gain a warm-water port.

Charles V (HRE)

Ruler of a vast empire who fought to defend Catholicism.

Philip II of Spain

Catholic monarch; dealt with Dutch Revolt and the Spanish Armada.

Louis XIV

The “Sun King”; model absolute monarch of Europe.

Maria Theresa

Austrian ruler who strengthened the empire and fought Prussia.

Frederick the Great

Prussian king known for military skill and territorial expansion.

Huguenots

French Protestants (Calvinists).

St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre

Mass killing of Huguenots in 1572 showing religious conflict in France.

Edict of Nantes

Granted religious toleration to Huguenots; later revoked by Louis XIV.

Cardinal Richelieu

Advisor who weakened nobles and built the foundation for French absolutism.

Intendants

Royal officials who collected taxes and enforced laws for the king.

Jean-Baptiste Colbert

Louis XIV’s finance minister who strengthened the economy with mercantilism.

Versailles

A palace symbolizing royal power and used to control the nobility.

War of Spanish Succession — Cause

European nations feared France and Spain would unite under one Bourbon ruler.

War of Spanish Succession — Result

Balance of power preserved; France prevented from uniting with Spain.

Formation of the Russian State

Expanded under Ivan IV, suffered during the Time of Troubles, and stabilized by the Romanovs.

Czar/Tsar

Russian word for emperor, meaning “Caesar.”

Time of Troubles

Period of instability after Ivan the Terrible’s death.

How the Spanish Armada Was Defeated

England’s faster ships, better tactics, and storms destroying Spanish vessels.

Disunity of France Before Louis XIV

Religious wars, weak monarchy, and powerful noble families.

Why Versailles Was Built

To glorify Louis XIV and weaken the political power of nobles.

Defenestration of Prague

Bohemian nobles threw Catholic officials out a window, sparking the 30 Years War.

war of spainish succession

louis 14 grand son couldn’t be made the ruler of spain and france bc that’s too much power