WH Midterm - Chapter 1. Case Study Of Absolutism

1. Succession: The process of determining who will be the next monarch, often after the death or abdication of the current monarch.

2. Parliament: The legislative body of England that gradually gained more power during the period of absolutism and later became crucial in limiting the power of the monarchy.

3. Dissolve Parliament: The monarch's act of disbanding Parliament, often to prevent them from opposing royal decisions.

4. Henry VIII: King of England (1509–1547), famously broke from the Roman Catholic Church and established the Church of England.

5. Dissenter: Protestants who separated from the Church of England due to differences in beliefs or practices.

6. Protestantism vs. Roman Catholicism: Protestantism emerged as a reform movement against the Catholic Church, advocating for different doctrines and practices.

7. Martial law: The imposition of direct military control over normal civil functions, often used in times of unrest.

8. Act of Supremacy: A law passed under Henry VIII declaring the monarch as the supreme head of the Church of England.

9. Tyrant: A ruler who exercises absolute power in an unjust or oppressive manner.

10. Church of England / Anglican Church: The Protestant church established by Henry VIII after breaking away from Rome.

11. Limited monarchy: A form of government where the monarch's powers are restricted by law or by a parliamentary body.

12. Elizabeth I: Queen of England (1558–1603), known for her strong leadership, the defeat of the Spanish Armada, and the Elizabethan Age.

13. James I: King of England (1603–1625), also King James VI of Scotland, known for conflicts with Parliament over his absolute rule.

14. Puritan: A religious group within Protestantism advocating for strict religious observance and reform of the Church of England.

15. King James Bible: A widely influential translation of the Bible commissioned by James I.

16. Charles I: King of England (1625–1649), whose struggles with Parliament led to the English Civil War and his execution.

17. The Petition of Right: A document limiting the king’s power, signed by Charles I in 1628.

18. William Laud: Archbishop of Canterbury, associated with the imposition of religious conformity under Charles I.

19. The Cavaliers: Royalist supporters of King Charles I during the English Civil War.

20. The New Model Army / Roundheads: The Parliament’s military force in the English Civil War, led by Oliver Cromwell.

21. Oliver Cromwell: Leader of the Roundheads and eventual Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England after the monarchy was abolished.

22. The Levellers: A political movement advocating for greater political and social equality during the English Civil War.

23. “Lord Protector”: Title assumed by Oliver Cromwell during the period of the Commonwealth.

24. Charles II: King of England (1660–1685), known as the "Merry Monarch," restored to the throne after Cromwell’s death.

25. “The Merry Monarch”: A nickname for Charles II, referring to his lively court and the return of fun and festivity after Cromwell’s strict Puritan rule.

26. James II: King of England (1685–1688), whose attempts to push Catholicism led to the Glorious Revolution.

27. William and Mary: Monarchs who were invited to take the throne after James II was deposed in the Glorious Revolution.

28. The Glorious Revolution: The bloodless overthrow of James II and the ascension of William and Mary to the English throne.

29. The English Bill of Rights: A document limiting the powers of the monarchy and affirming the rights of Parliament and the people.

30. Huguenot: French Protestants who followed the teachings of John Calvin and faced persecution in Catholic France.

31. St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre: A 1572 event in which thousands of Huguenots were killed in Paris.

32. Religious toleration: The allowance of different religious beliefs and practices.

33. Henry IV: King of France (1589–1610), who ended the French Wars of Religion and issued the Edict of Nantes.

34. The levée: A ceremonial court ritual where nobility served the king, typically related to the king's daily routine.

35. The Edict of Nantes: A law issued by Henry IV granting religious toleration to Huguenots in France.

36. Mercantilism: An economic policy that encourages government regulation of the economy to maximize national wealth, often through colonialism and tariffs.

37. Cardinal Richelieu: Chief minister to Louis XIII, who centralized royal power in France.

38. Subsidy: A financial assistance or grant provided by the government, often to support certain industries or policies.

39. Louis XIV: Known as the Sun King, he ruled France (1643–1715) and famously centralized power, creating an absolute monarchy.

40. Tariff: A tax on imports or exports, often used to protect domestic industries.

41. Cardinal Mazarin: Successor to Richelieu, who helped solidify Louis XIV's absolute power.

42. Favorable balance of trade: An economic situation where a country exports more than it imports, increasing national wealth.

43. The Fronde: A series of civil wars in France (1648–1653) during the early reign of Louis XIV, caused by opposition to royal absolutism.

44. Jean-Baptiste Colbert: Minister of Finance under Louis XIV, responsible for implementing mercantilist policies.

45. Versailles: The opulent palace built by Louis XIV, symbolizing his absolute power and control over the nobility.

46. The War of Spanish Succession: A major European conflict (1701–1714) involving Louis XIV’s efforts to unite Spain and France under one crown.

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48. Austria and Prussia

49. Junker: The aristocratic landowners in Prussia, influential in the military and political spheres.

50. Charles VI: Holy Roman Emperor, whose death without a male heir led to the War of Austrian Succession.

51. The Pragmatic Sanction: A document issued by Charles VI allowing his daughter, Maria Theresa, to inherit the Habsburg lands.

52. Maria Theresa: Empress of Austria, known for her reforms and leadership during the War of Austrian Succession.

53. Frederick William I: King of Prussia, known for building a strong military state.

54. Frederick II, “the Great”: King of Prussia, known for his military victories and enlightened reforms.

55. The War of Austrian Succession: A conflict over the inheritance of the Habsburg lands after Charles VI's death.

56. Silesia: A region that was a key point of contention during the War of Austrian Succession.

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58. Russia

59. Tsar: The emperor of Russia, a title derived from "Caesar."

60. Peter I, “the Great”: Tsar of Russia (1682–1725), who worked to modernize Russia by introducing Western reforms.

61. Westernization: The process of adopting Western European culture, technology, and governmental practices.

62. Russian Orthodox Church: The national church of Russia, which played a significant role in the Russian state.

63. Boyar: The noble class in Russia, who held significant land and political power.

64. St. Petersburg: The new capital city founded by Peter the Great, symbolizing his push for modernization.

65. Autocrat: A ruler with absolute power, used to describe Russian tsars.

66. Serf: A peasant bound to the land and under the control of a landowner, much like slaves.

67. Warm-water port: A port that does not freeze in winter, sought by Russia to increase its access to trade.

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69. Dynasties of the Monarchs

70. The Tudor Dynasty (England): Henry VIII, Elizabeth I.

71. The Stuart Dynasty (England): James I, Charles I, Charles II, James II, and Mary.

72. The Bourbon Dynasty (France): Henry IV, Louis XIII, Louis XIV.

73. The Hapsburg Dynasty (Austria): Charles VI, Maria Theresa.

74. The Hohenzollern Dynasty (Prussia): Frederick William I, Frederick II.

The Romanov Dynasty (Russia): Peter I.