unit 3 ap euro study

Cardinal Richelieu

Cardinal Richelieu

Became chief minister to Louis XIII in 1628 and was successful in promoting policies that centralized power and weakened the Hapsburgs.

Intendants

Government officials sent to regions throughout France to carry out royal orders, collect taxes, preside of judicial hearings, and recruit soldiers. To insure loyalty they were not allowed to serve where they had family ties or financial interests.

Louis XIII

King of France from 1610 to 1643 who relied heavily on the advice of Cardinal Richelieu to further strengthen the government ultimately leading to real absolutism.

Jean-Baptiste Colbert

An adviser to Louis XIV who proved himself a financial genius and managed the entire royal administration. Proposed mercantilism as the best policy for the economy.

Mercantilism

An economic system in which a country attempts to amass wealth through trade with other countries, exporting more than it imports and increasing stores of gold and precious metals.

Baroque

Relating to the very decorated and often overblown style of art, music, buildings etc, that was common in Europe in the 17th and early 18th centuries.

French Classicism

A movement away from the perceived excesses of baroque style by focusing on the classical qualities of discipline, balance, and restraint.

Constitutionalism

The limitation of government by law. It implies a balance between the authority and power of the government and the rights and liberties of the subjects.

Thomas Hobbes

He argued that absolutism was necessary to control man who was driven by self-preservation to be barbaric, greedy, and corrupt.

John Locke

Believed all men had natural rights-life, liberty, and property and that it was the duty of government to protect those rights. When a government failed to do so, people had a right t rebel against tyranny.

Divine Right Monarchy

The belief that a monarch's power derives from God and represents Him on earth.

Parlements

French regional courts dominated by hereditary nobles.

Gentry

Well-to-do English landowners below the level of nobility. They played an important role in the Engish Civil War.

Boyars

Landowning nobles of Russia

Mannerism

An artistic movement in Europe that deliberately broke down the High Renaissance principles of balance, harmony, and moderation.

William Laud

Archbishop whose goal was to enforce Anglican unity in England and Scotland.

Oliver Cromwell

An English military and political leader and later Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

New Model Army

The disciplined fighting force of Protestants led by Oliver Cromwell in the English civil war.

Serf

A person who is bound to the land and owned by the feudal lord.

Frederick William the Great Elector

Austrian ruler who unified separate states and started the process of Prussian militarization

Junkers

Prussian nobles, many of whom served as officers in the Prussian military

Table of Ranks

Instituted by Peter the Great to create opportunities for non-nobles to serve the state and join the nobility. There were 14 levels. Each official was required to begin at level one and work his way up. When a non-noble reached the eighth rank, he became a noble.

Agricultural Revolution

A period of significant agricultural development in the 18th century marked by new farming techniques, crop rotation, and the introduction of mechanized tools, leading to increased food production.

Balance of Power

A political theory that suggests stability and peace are maintained when military and economic power is distributed among multiple states, preventing any one state from becoming too powerful.

Bank of England

This institution was established in 1694 to serve as the government's banker. It played a crucial role in stabilizing the British economy by financing wars, stimulating economic growth by lending money to the government, and managing the national debt.

Battle of Vienna (1683)

A key battle where Christian European forces, led by the Polish King Jan Sobieski, defeated the Ottoman Empire, marking the beginning of the decline of Ottoman influence in Europe.

Boyar

A member of the highest rank of the feudal Russian aristocracy, second only to the ruling princes, who wielded significant political and social influence until the centralization of Russian power under Peter the Great.

Catherine the Great

Empress of Russia from 1762-1796, known for expanding Russian territory and embracing Enlightenment reforms while .maintaining absolute power.

Constitutionalism

A political philosophy that emphasizes the need for a government to operate within a framework of laws that limit its powers and protect individual rights.

Cottage Industry/Putting-out System

A pre-industrial production system where rural families worked in their homes to produce goods for merchants, playing a key role in early capitalism and the transition to factory-based industry.

Divine Right

A political doctrine asserting that kings derive their authority directly from God, making them accountable only to divine judgment.

Dutch Republic

Also known as the United Provinces, a federation of provinces that gained independence from Spain in the late 16th century and became known for its commercial dominance, naval power, and relatively progressive political structure.

Dutch War (1672-1678)

A conflict initiated by Louis XIV against the Dutch Republic as part of his expansionist ambitions, ultimately leading to French territorial gains but also creating alliances against France.

Edict of Fontainebleau

Issued by Louis XIV in 1685, it revoked the Edict of Nantes, eliminating the rights of Huguenots (French Protestants), leading to increased persecution and mass emigration.

English Civil War (1642-1651)

A series of armed conflicts between Royalists and Parliamentarians over the governance of England and religious freedoms, which resulted in the execution of Charles I and the establishment of the Commonwealth.

Glorious Revolution (1688)

A bloodless revolution in England in which James II was overthrown and replaced by William III and Mary II, establishing a constitutional monarchy and affirming parliamentary supremacy.

Intendants

Royal officials in France under Louis XIII and Louis XIV who were sent to the provinces to enforce royal orders and undermine the influence of local nobility.

James I

King of England (1603-1625) and the first Stuart monarch, who believed in the divine right of kings, leading to tensions with Parliament regarding governance and authority.

Jean-Baptiste Colbert

Minister of Finance under Louis XIV, who implemented mercantilist policies to strengthen France's economy and boost state revenues, particularly through colonial expansion.

Mercantilism

An economic theory and practice that emphasizes the importance of accumulating wealth, primarily gold and silver, through a positive balance of trade, encouraging colonization and competition for resources.

Middle Passage

The transatlantic journey of enslaved Africans to the Americas, notorious for its brutal conditions and high mortality rates, forming a crucial part of the triangular trade.

Military Revolution

A period of significant transformation in military strategy, tactics, and technology that occurred in Europe from the 16th to the 18th centuries, significantly influencing the power of the state.

Oligarchy

A form of government where power is concentrated in the hands of a few individuals or families, as seen in the Dutch Republic or Venice during the early modern period.

Oliver Cromwell

Leader of the Parliamentary forces during the English Civil War and later the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, he ruled as a de facto dictator until his death in 1658.

Parliamentarian Sovereignty

The principle that Parliament has supreme legal authority, particularly following the Glorious Revolution, which established the English monarchy's dependence on parliamentary approval for laws and taxes.

Partition of Poland (1772-1795)

The division of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth between Russia, Prussia, and Austria in a series of agreements that led to Poland's disappearance from the map of Europe for over a century.

Peter the Great

Tsar of Russia (1682-1725), known for his efforts to westernize Russia and transform it into a major European power through extensive military, administrative, and cultural reforms.

Phillip II

King of Spain (1556-1598) and one of the most powerful rulers of Europe, known for his strong defense of Catholicism, who sought to consolidate Spanish dominance through actions such as the Spanish Armada.

Restoration (1660)

The return of Charles II to the English throne following the Commonwealth period, marking the restoration of the monarchy after the English Civil War and Cromwell's rule.

Russian Academy of Sciences

Founded by Peter the Great in 1724, this institution aimed to promote scientific research and education in Russia as part of his broader program of modernization.

Triangular Trade

A system of transatlantic trade involving the exchange of finished goods, slaves, and raw materials between Europe, Africa, and the Americas, central to the Atlantic economy from the 16th to 19th centuries.

Versailles

The opulent palace built by Louis XIV outside of Paris, symbolizing the absolute power and wealth of the French monarchy, and a center of political control over the nobility.

Westernization

The adoption of the cultural, political, and technological practices, of western Europe by societies and countries in other parts of the world, initiated by rulers like Peter the Great of Russia.

Absolutism

A situation where a monarch claims to rule by "divine right". Involved the subjugation of the nobility and the creation of a bureaucracy which directed economic life by forcing tax increases or other means of raising revenue.

King Louis XIV

Longest reigning monarch in European history. He weakened the power of the nobles by excluding them from his councils, and increased the power of the intendants. Nicknamed "The Sun King". He installed his royal court at Versailles and required the great nobility to spend a portion of the year there.

Henry IV

French King who legitimately cared about the people(a sentiment which had been absent since Louis IX). Politique who willingly switched religions to maintain peace in France. Dramatically lowered tax rates on the poor and introduced the paulette. Murdered in 1610 by crazed fanatic.

Sovereignty

In the 17th century for the first time, monarchial power actually came close to ____________, meaning that they possessed control over the instruments of justice and the use of force within clearly defined boundaries.

Maria de'medici

Queen- regent for Louis XIII following the death of French King Henry IV in 1610. Secured the appointment of Cardinal Richelieu to the council of ministers.

Edict of Nantes

Was made for (TEMPORARY) religious and civil concord between the different religious groups in France. Ended in 1627 by King Louis XIII.

raison d'état

"Reason of State". Richelieu made an effort to control the nobility and local officials, while he took away the "special priviledges" previously enjoyed by Huguenots as a result of the Edict of Nantes. Also, this basically stated that God was okay with the government doing ANYTHING as long as it would benefit the state in the long run.

Cardinal Mazarin

Regent for the boy-King Louis XIV and successor to Cardinal Richelieu as Chief Minister. His attempts to raise revenue lead to the civil wars of 1648-53(The Fronde).

Fronde(1648-1653)

This French Civil War had its origin in Cardinal Mazarin's attempt to raise revenues, most people felt that the tax rates demanded were unjustified. It also cemented Louis XIV resolve towards absolutist monarchy.

Versailles

Louis XIII began building this as a hunting lodge to get away from a Queen he did not like. This palace's main architects were Louis XIV's(Le Notre and Le Vau). Notable for its Hall of Mirrors and its Baroque influence on other European monarchs.

Estates General

Louis XIV NEVER called on this French political body which was composed of the 3 estates during his 72 year reign.

Jean-Baptiste Colbert

An economic advisor to Louis XIV, advocated mercantilism as his chief economic policy. Subsidized old industries(Cloth, rug, tapestry) and granted royal privilege to steel and firearm firms. Compelled craftsman to organize into guilds. Most importantly he created a powerful merchant marine to transport French goods.

Mercantilism

An economic policy under which nations sought to increase their wealth and power by obtaining large amounts of gold and silver and by selling more goods than they bought. Predominant in 17th and 18th centuries.

War of the Spanish Succession

Originated in the Hapsburg lines weakness(from severe inbreeding). So the monarchs of al the other countries agreed to partition Spanish possessions. Spanish King Charles II left Spain to Philip of Anjou in his will(who was Louis XIV's grandson). The other countries formed an alliance to prevent the Bourbons from controlling Spain and France. Notable figures include John Churchill(The Duke of Marlborough) and Eugene(Prince of Savoy). Prominent battles included (Blenheim , and Ramillies). Ended by Peace of Utrecht

Peace of Utrecht

This was the 1713 treaty that ended the War of the Spanish Succession. Ended Louis XIV's attempts to gain military power and land. Marked the end of French expansionist policy. It also illustrated the balance of power principle in operation.

Constitutionalism

The theory that royal power should be subject to legal and legislative checks (a constitution). Differs from democracy in that it does not have to grant all people the power to vote.

King Charles I

King James I's successor, he caused a civil war in England that would ultimately claim his own life; it was caused by his dismissal of the English Parliament in 1629. From 1629 onward he attempted to use arbitrary government orders to finance the country.

Puritans

Felt that the Reformation in England had not gone far enough.

Long Parliament

Called this because it meet from 1640-1660 after English King Charles I summoned them for the first time in 11 years. Idea was to keep meeting until got what wanted from the King

Commonwealth

Another name for a republican government. Proclaimed in England after King Charles I was beheaded in 1641.

Oliver Cromwell

English military, political, and religious figure who led the Parliamentarian victory by forming his "New Model Army" in the English Civil War (1642-1649) and called for the execution of Charles I. As lord protector of England he ruled as a virtual dictator. Divided England into 12 military districts, crushed an irish rebellion in Drogheda, censored the press, pursued mercantilist policies(like the Navigation Act), and welcomed Jews back into England after a 400 year absence.

King Charles II

This son of Charles I was the "Restoration Monarch" following Cromwell's protectorate. Restored Parliament, the courts, local government, and the Anglican Church. a.k.a the Merry Monarch

King James II

Succeeded Charles II as King of England. When his 2nd wife had a son he was forced out of England and into France so that Protestant William and Mary could assume the throne.

States General

Term used by the national assembly of the United Provinces of the Netherlands where the wealthy merchant class held real power; because many issues had to be refereed back to the provinces, the United Provinces was a confederation, or weak union of a strong states. Appointed a stadholder for each province.

Stadholder

This was the name given to the person appointed by the States General to carry out ceremonial functions in a province in the Netherlands. (Sometimes had control over all provinces - main example was the House of Orange)

House of Orange

Leaders of most of the 7 provinces of the Dutch Republic, favored development of a centralized government with themselves as hereditary monarchs

Jean Bodin

Believed that only absolutism could provide order and force people to obey the government. Reinforced the idea of "Divine Right"

Huguenots

French Calvinists

English Bill of Rights

King William and Queen Mary accepted this document in 1689. It guaranteed certain rights to English citizens and declared that elections for Parliament would happen frequently. By accepting this document, they supported a limited monarchy, a system in which they shared their power with Parliament and the people.

Westernization

policy of Peter the Great. Adoption of western ideas, technology, and culture