Absolutism Review

  1. Absolutism
    A political system where a monarch holds absolute power over the state, without legal or institutional constraints. The ruler controls all aspects of governance, often claiming divine authority.

  2. Divine Right
    The doctrine that monarchs derive their authority to rule directly from God, not from any earthly authority like Parliament or the people. This was often used by absolute monarchs to justify their rule.

  3. Philip II
    King of Spain from 1556 to 1598. Known for his staunch Catholicism, the expansion of the Spanish Empire, and the wars against Protestant nations. His reign saw the failure of the Spanish Armada in 1588.

  4. King’s Fifth
    A tax imposed by the Spanish crown on treasures obtained from the New World, requiring one-fifth (20%) of the profits from colonies be sent to the king.

  5. Battle of Lepanto
    A naval battle fought in 1571 between the forces of the Holy League (Spain, Venice, etc.) and the Ottoman Empire. The Christian forces defeated the Ottomans, preventing further Ottoman expansion into Europe.

  6. Spanish Inquisition
    A religious tribunal established in 1478 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella to root out heresy, particularly targeting Jews, Muslims, and Protestants in Spain and its territories.

  7. Sea Dogs
    English privateers and pirates in the 16th century who were authorized by Queen Elizabeth I to raid Spanish ships and colonies. Prominent Sea Dogs included Sir Francis Drake.

  8. El Greco
    A Greek-born Spanish painter whose work was influenced by the Renaissance and mannerism. Known for his dramatic and expressive use of color and form, particularly in religious themes.

  9. Velasquez
    Diego Velázquez, a Spanish Baroque painter, famous for his portraits of the Spanish court, including the masterpiece "Las Meninas".

  10. Cervantes
    Miguel de Cervantes, a Spanish writer best known for "Don Quixote", often regarded as the first modern European novel and a classic of Western literature.

  11. Spanish Armada
    A large fleet of ships sent by Philip II of Spain in 1588 to invade England, which was defeated by the English navy, marking a significant shift in naval power.

  12. Thirty Years War
    A destructive conflict (1618-1648) in Europe involving many of the great powers, primarily fought between Catholics and Protestants, which had profound political, religious, and territorial consequences.

  13. Treaty of Westphalia
    The peace treaty (1648) that ended the Thirty Years War, redrew borders, and recognized the sovereignty of individual states, making it a milestone in the development of the modern international system.

  14. Henry II
    King of France from 1547 to 1559. His death led to power struggles within the French monarchy, notably between his sons and their advisors.

  15. Catherine de Medici
    Queen of France, wife of Henry II, and mother of three French kings. She played a crucial role in French politics, especially during the Wars of Religion.

  16. Valois
    The French royal family that ruled from 1328 until 1589. The family line ended with Henry III, and the Bourbon family took over the throne.

  17. Guise
    A powerful Catholic family in France, often in conflict with the Protestant Huguenots during the French Wars of Religion. They were influential in the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre.

  18. Bourbon
    A prominent European royal family, originally from France. Henry IV was the first Bourbon king of France, and the dynasty played a significant role in European history.

  19. St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre
    A violent massacre of Huguenots (French Protestants) by Catholics, orchestrated by the French royal family on Catherine de Medici's orders in 1572.

  20. War of Three Henrys
    A conflict between Henry III of France, Henry of Navarre (Henry IV), and Henry, Duke of Guise. This was part of the larger French Wars of Religion, ultimately leading to the rise of the Bourbon dynasty.

  21. Henry IV
    King of France from 1589 to 1610. He won the War of Three Henrys and became the first Bourbon king of France. He famously converted to Catholicism to gain the throne, saying “Paris is worth a Mass,” and passed the Edict of Nantes.

  22. Edict of Nantes
    A decree passed by Henry IV in 1598 granting religious tolerance to the Huguenots in France, allowing them to practice their faith freely and hold some political rights, thus ending religious wars in France.

  23. Huguenots
    French Protestants who followed the teachings of John Calvin. They were persecuted by the Catholic majority, especially during the French Wars of Religion.

  24. Louis XIII
    King of France from 1610 to 1643, the son of Henry IV. He was relatively weak, and much of the political power was exercised by Cardinal Richelieu.

  25. Cardinal Richelieu
    Chief minister to Louis XIII, Richelieu worked to consolidate royal power by undermining the Huguenots and the nobility, laying the groundwork for the absolute monarchy of Louis XIV.

  26. Hapsburgs
    A powerful European royal family that ruled over vast territories, including Spain and Austria. The family was central in the Thirty Years War, particularly the Catholic side.

  27. Mazarin
    Jules Mazarin, an Italian-born cardinal and the chief minister to Louis XIV after Richelieu's death. He continued Richelieu's policies and helped centralize power in the French monarchy.

  28. Louis XIV
    The "Sun King" and the longest-reigning monarch in European history (1643-1715). His reign epitomized absolutism, and he centralized power at his court in Versailles.

  29. Versailles
    A massive palace built by Louis XIV to centralize his power and keep the nobility under control. It became a symbol of royal absolutism and an extravagant display of France's wealth and power.

  30. Intendants
    Royal officials appointed by Louis XIV to govern provinces and enforce the king's policies. They were used to diminish the power of local nobility and centralize authority.

  31. Jean-Baptiste Colbert
    Finance minister to Louis XIV, who implemented mercantilist policies to increase French wealth, promote industry, and strengthen the economy.

  32. Elizabeth I
    The last monarch of the Tudor dynasty in England (1558-1603). Her reign, known as the Elizabethan Era, was marked by the defeat of the Spanish Armada, flourishing of the arts, and the establishment of Protestantism in England.

  33. Charles I
    King of England whose conflicts with Parliament over taxes and royal power led to the English Civil War (1642-1649). He was executed after losing the war, marking the temporary abolition of the monarchy.

  34. Petition of Rights
    A constitutional document signed by Charles I in 1628, limiting his power. It required that the king could not levy taxes without Parliament's consent, imprison people without cause, or force soldiers into private homes.

  35. English Civil War
    A conflict (1642-1651) between the forces of Charles I (Royalists) and Parliament (Roundheads). The war resulted in the execution of Charles I and the establishment of the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell.

  36. Parliament
    The legislative body in England, consisting of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. It played a crucial role in limiting the power of the monarch, especially during the English Civil War.

  37. Oliver Cromwell
    Leader of the Parliamentary forces during the English Civil War. After the war, he became Lord Protector of England and ruled as a military dictator during the Commonwealth period (1649-1658).

  38. Puritans
    A group of English Protestants who sought to purify the Church of England of Catholic practices. Many Puritans were involved in the English Civil War on the side of Parliament.

  39. James II
    King of England (1685-1688) whose Catholicism, attempts to increase royal power, and disregard for Parliament led to his deposition during the Glorious Revolution.

  40. William and Mary
    William of Orange and his wife Mary II took the English throne in 1689 after the Glorious Revolution, marking the end of divine right monarchy and the beginning of constitutional monarchy in England.

  41. Glorious Revolution
    The 1688 overthrow of James II by William of Orange and Mary II, which led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in England with more power for Parliament.

  42. English Bill of Rights
    A 1689 document that guaranteed individual rights, including freedom from cruel and unusual punishment, the right to petition the monarch, and the protection of parliamentary power. It marked the transition to constitutional monarchy in England.