AP Euro chapter 15 terms

Price of Bread: The cost of bread, which was the staple food for most Europeans, significantly impacted daily life, especially during economic crises when prices soared and led to riots.

Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648): A devastating conflict in Europe primarily between Catholics and Protestants, causing widespread destruction and population loss, ultimately ending with the Peace of Westphalia.

Peace of Augsburg in 1555: An agreement allowing German princes to choose either Lutheranism or Catholicism as the official religion of their territories, intended to reduce religious conflict.

Gustavus Adolphus: The King of Sweden who intervened in the Thirty Years' War to support Protestants and won several key battles before his death.

Cardinal Richelieu of France: Chief minister to King Louis XIII, who strengthened the French monarchy and played a significant role in the Thirty Years' War by opposing the Habsburgs.

1648 Peace of Westphalia: The treaty that ended the Thirty Years' War, marking a shift in European politics by recognizing state sovereignty and reducing religious conflicts.

Standing Armies: Permanent military forces maintained by states for defense and to enforce power, becoming more common during this period.

Great Britain Focused on Naval Forces: Britain concentrated on building a strong navy, which would later play a crucial role in its imperial expansion.

15.2

1589 Henry IV: The King of France who ended the civil wars between Catholics and Protestants, implementing the Edict of Nantes to promote religious tolerance.

Edict of Nantes: A 1598 decree granting religious freedom to Huguenots (French Protestants) in France, later revoked by Louis XIV in 1685.

Cardinal Richelieu: Influential minister to Louis XIII who strengthened royal power and developed a centralized state in France.

Intendants: Royal officials in France who implemented government policies at the local level, increasing the power of the monarchy.

Louis XIV: The French king known as the "Sun King," who epitomized absolute monarchy and expanded French territories while maintaining a lavish court at Versailles.

Cardinal Jules Mazarin: Successor to Richelieu and chief minister during Louis XIV's early reign, continuing centralizing policies amid civil unrest.

Fronde: A series of civil wars in France (1648–1653) caused by royal efforts to increase taxes, highlighting the tensions between the monarchy and the nobility.

Revoked the Edict of Nantes in 1685: The action taken by Louis XIV to eliminate religious tolerance, leading to the exile of many Huguenots.

Versailles: The grand palace and center of political power in France under Louis XIV, where he controlled the nobility and showcased his wealth.

Required Nobles: Louis XIV mandated that nobles spend time at Versailles, which allowed him to maintain control over them and their activities.

Patron: Someone who supports the arts, such as Louis XIV, who commissioned works to glorify his reign and French culture.

French Classicism: An artistic and literary style in the late 17th century that emphasized harmony, clarity, and adherence to classical models.

French Became the Language of Polite Society: The rise of the French language as the preferred medium for diplomacy and culture in Europe.

Jean-Baptiste Colbert: Louis XIV's financial advisor who implemented mercantilist policies to strengthen the French economy and finance royal projects.

Financial Genius: Colbert’s ability to manage finances effectively and enhance state revenue through controlled economic policies.

Mercantilism: An economic theory that emphasizes the role of the state in managing the economy to increase national wealth, often through trade surpluses.

Spanish King Charles II: The last Habsburg ruler of Spain whose death without an heir led to a power struggle and the War of the Spanish Succession.

War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1713): A conflict over who would inherit the Spanish throne, pitting France against a coalition of European powers.

The Peace of Utrecht: The treaty ending the War of the Spanish Succession, which ensured that the French and Spanish crowns would remain separate.

Balance-of-Power Principle in Operation: The idea that European powers should maintain equal strength to prevent any one nation from dominating the continent.

Decline of Absolutist Spain in the Seventeenth Century: Spain's waning power due to economic troubles, poor governance, and military defeats leading to territorial losses.

Treaty of the Pyrenees of 1659: The agreement that ended hostilities between France and Spain, resulting in significant territorial losses for Spain.

Recognized the Independence of Portugal in 1688: Spain formally acknowledged Portugal’s sovereignty, marking the end of its dominance in the region.

15.3

Habsburgs: A powerful royal family that ruled over a large empire in central Europe, especially after the Thirty Years' War, focusing on unifying their diverse territories.

Thirty Years’ War: A major conflict in Europe (1618–1648) that started as a struggle between Catholics and Protestants, resulting in widespread destruction and significant changes in power dynamics in central Europe.

Permanent standing army: A professional military force that is maintained during peacetime, ready to suppress any internal conflicts or opposition.

Frederick William: Known as the “Great Elector,” he was the ruler of Brandenburg and Prussia who sought to unify his provinces and build a strong military.

Great Elector: A title for Frederick William, emphasizing his leadership and efforts to consolidate power in Prussia.

Junkers: The noble landowning class in Prussia, who held significant political and economic power, especially in the estates.

Frederick William I: Also known as the “Soldiers’ King,” he was the ruler who strengthened Prussia’s military and centralized power by diminishing the influence of local self-governments.

“The Soldiers’ King”: A nickname for Frederick William I, highlighting his focus on building a strong military state.

Militaristic society: A society where military values and organizations dominate, with a strong emphasis on discipline, order, and readiness for war.

15.4

Moscow as the “Third Rome”: Moscow is seen as the successor to Rome and Byzantium as a center of Orthodox Christianity and power.

Ivan IV (r. 1533–1584): Known as “Ivan the Terrible,” he was a Russian tsar who expanded Russia's territory and established a strong, centralized government, but also ruled with fear and violence.

Cossacks: Free groups and warrior bands of peasants in Russia who resisted the nobles and sought freedom from oppression.

Ivan tied peasants even more firmly to the land: Ivan IV imposed laws that made it harder for peasants to leave the land they worked on, increasing their obligations to their landlords.

Time of Troubles (1598–1613): A chaotic period after Ivan IV's death marked by power struggles, famine, and suffering for the Russian people.

Romanov: A dynasty that began with Michael Romanov, elected as tsar after the Time of Troubles; they ruled Russia for over three centuries.

Hereditary tsar: A king whose position is passed down through family lines, meaning the title is inherited.

Peter the Great (r. 1682–1725): A Russian tsar known for modernizing Russia, expanding its territory, and building a powerful army.

European Great Power: A major country with significant influence in international affairs, military strength, and economic resources.

St. Petersburg: A city founded by Peter the Great to be Russia’s new capital, reflecting Western architectural styles and urban planning.

Westernization: The process of adopting Western ideas, culture, and practices, as Peter the Great did to modernize Russia.

Serfdom: A system where peasants are bound to the land and under the control of landowners, often working in exchange for protection and the right to work the land.

Mid-sixteenth century: Refers to the 1550s, a time when the Ottoman Empire was at its height and influential in world affairs.

Most powerful empires: Refers to empires that have significant control, wealth, and military strength, like the Ottoman Empire during its peak.

15.5

James Stuart / James I: The Scottish cousin of Queen Elizabeth I who became king of England in 1603, known for his belief in the divine right of kings.

Divine right: The idea that a monarch's authority comes directly from God, making them accountable only to Him, not to the people or Parliament.

Charles I: The son of James I who ruled from 1625 until his execution in 1649; he tried to govern without Parliament, leading to conflict.

Long Parliament: The Parliament that sat from 1640 to 1660, which sought to limit the powers of the king and established that Parliament could not be dissolved without its own consent.

Triennial Act: A law passed in 1641 requiring the king to call Parliament at least once every three years.

English Civil War (1642–1649): A conflict between supporters of Charles I (Royalists) and Parliament (Parliamentarians) that resulted in a victory for Parliament.

Oliver Cromwell: A leader of the Parliamentary army during the English Civil War who later ruled as a military dictator and established a commonwealth.

Beheaded: The act of executing someone by cutting off their head; Charles I was executed this way in 1649.

Thomas Hobbes: A philosopher who believed that people are naturally selfish and that a strong central authority (like a monarch) is necessary to avoid chaos.

Navigation Act (1651): A law requiring that goods shipped to England be transported on English ships, promoting English shipping and trade.

Restoration of 1660: The return of Charles II to the throne after a period of republican rule under Cromwell, restoring the monarchy in England.

Charles II: The son of Charles I who ruled from 1660 to 1685 and sought to restore stability to England.

The Test Act of 1673: A law that restricted civil rights and political participation for those who were not members of the Church of England.

James II: The brother of Charles II who became king in 1685 and attempted to promote Catholicism, leading to political unrest.

Protestant daughter Mary and her Dutch husband Prince William of Orange: They were invited to take the throne in England to prevent the return of Catholic absolutism.

1689: The year Mary and William were crowned, marking the beginning of constitutional monarchy in England.

Glorious Revolution (1688–1689): The relatively bloodless transition of power from James II to William and Mary, which limited royal authority.

Bill of Rights: A document establishing parliamentary supremacy and limiting the powers of the monarchy.

Second Treatise of Civil Government: A work by John Locke arguing that governments must protect people's natural rights; if they fail, citizens have the right to revolt.

John Locke: A political philosopher who believed in natural rights to life, liberty, and property.

Cabinet system: A form of government where the leading ministers work with the support of Parliament to make policies.

Prime minister: The head of the cabinet in England, initially called the king's first minister.

Republic of the United Provinces of the Netherlands: A self-governing territory in Europe, recognized for its independence in 1648.

Stadholder: An executive officer in each province of the Dutch Republic responsible for ceremonial duties and military defense.

Shipping business: The industry involving the transportation of goods by sea, which was dominated by the Dutch during the 17th century.

Highest standard of living in Europe: Refers to the economic prosperity enjoyed by the Dutch due to successful trade and commerce.

15.6 

Baroque style: An artistic style characterized by drama, motion, and emotional intensity, popular in the 17th century.

Peter Paul Rubens: A prominent Baroque painter known for his dynamic and colorful works.

Bach: Johann Sebastian Bach, a composer from the Baroque period celebrated for his complex and expressive music.