Syllabus_Rise_of_Modern_States

The Thirty Years War

A series of conflicts in Europe from 1618 to 1648, originally fought over religious issues (Catholic vs. Protestant) but ultimately led to political struggles among European powers.

Defenestration of Prague

The event in 1618 where Protestant nobles threw two Catholic officials out of a window, marking the start of the Thirty Years War.

Peace of Augsburg

A treaty signed in 1555 allowing German princes to choose between Catholicism and Lutheranism, establishing a temporary religious settlement.

Cardinal Richelieu

The chief minister to King Louis XIII of France who played a key role in establishing French absolutism and manipulating the Thirty Years War to elevate France's status.

Edict of Restitution

A 1629 decree by the Holy Roman Emperor that reclaimed Catholic properties lost to Protestants since 1552, escalating tensions in the Thirty Years War.

Peace of Westphalia

A series of treaties in 1648 that concluded the Thirty Years War, establishing a new diplomatic order and principles of state sovereignty in Europe.

Absolutism

A political system where a single ruler holds absolute power, exemplified during the reigns of various monarchs in Europe.

Habsburg Dynasty

A royal family that ruled over the Holy Roman Empire and played a significant role in European politics and conflicts, especially during the Thirty Years War.

Bourbon Dynasty

A royal family in France that rose to prominence during the 16th and 17th centuries, known for absolute monarchs like Louis XIV.

English Civil War

A series of conflicts between Parliamentarians and Royalists in England (1642–1651) over governance and authority, leading to the execution of King Charles I.

Cardinal Mazarin

The successor to Cardinal Richelieu who governed France during the early reign of Louis XIV, known for his role in the conflicts leading to the Fronde.

Fronde

A series of civil wars in France (1648-1653) during the minority of Louis XIV, characterized by noble revolts against the centralizing power of the monarchy.

The Glorious Revolution

The 1688 overthrow of King James II of England, leading to the constitutional monarchy under William and Mary, and subsequent political reforms.

The Edict of Nantes

A 1598 decree by Henry IV of France granting religious freedom to Huguenots (French Protestants), which was later revoked by Louis XIV in 1685.

The Seven Years War

A global conflict (1756-1763) fought between major world powers, often considered the first true world war due to its wide geographical scope.