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AP Euro Absolutism/Constitutionalism Flashcards

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11634948306Absolutismthe acceptance in absolute belief in political, philosophical, ethical, or theological matters. The concept was derived from the traditional assumption of power (e.g. heirs to the throne) and the belief in "divine right of kings"0
11634948307SovereigntySupreme power or authority or a self-governing state.1
11634948308Bishop Boussuet- Bishop JacquesFrench bishop and theologian, renowned for his sermons and other addresses. He was also most eloquent and influential spokesman for the rights of the French church against papal authority. He was principal advocate of "divine right of kings" in France during the reign of Louis XIV. "Divine Right" meant that the king was placed on throne by God, and therefore owed his authority to no man or group. Advocated divine right of king.2
11634948309Divine Right of KingsAdvocated by Bishop Bossuet. A political and religious doctrine of royal and political legitimacy. It asserts that a monarch is subject to no earthly authority, deriving the right to rule directly from the will of God.3
11634948310Henry IV (r. 1589-1610)He laid the foundation for France becoming the strongest European power in 17th century. He strengthened the social hierarchy by strengthening government institutions: parlements (councils of noble judges), the treasury, universities, and the Catholic Church. He was first king to actively encourage French colonization in the New World; this stimulated the Atlantic trade. First king of the Bourbon Dynasty came to king as part of political compromise to end French Civil War. Converted from Calvinism to Catholicism is order to gain recognition from Paris in his reign. He issued Edict of Nantes.4
11634948311Bourbon DynastyThe House of Bourbon is a European Royal House of French origin a branch of the Capetian dynasty. Bourbon kings first ruled France and Navarre in the 16th century.5
11634948314Cardinal Richelieu (1585-1642)Laid the foundation for absolutism in France. he was a politique, like Henry IV, he placed political issues ahead of religious principles.6
11634948315PolitiqueTo place political issues ahead of religious principles.7
11634948316Intendent SystemUsed to weaken the nobility-Replaced local officials with civil servants-intendants- who reported directly to the king-Intendants were largely middle-class or minor nobles ("nobles of the robe")- Thus government became more efficient and centrally controlled.8
11634948318Louis XIV "Sun King" (r.1643-1715)Quintessential absolute ruler in European history-he personified the idea that the sovereignty of the state resides in the ruler- "I am the state" - Became known as "Sun KIng" since he was at the center of French power (just as the sun is the center of our solar system)- Believer of the divine right of kings- Longest reign in European history (72 years) - Inherited throne at 5 years old from Louis XIII, his father- France became the undisputed major power in Europe during his reign - French culture dominated Europe- Also became epicenter of literature and the arts till 20th century.9
11634948319"L' etat, c'est moi"Translates to "I am the state" was stated by Louis XIV. "The state is myself."10
11634948320The Fronde (mid-late 1640s)Series of civil wars in France between 1648 and 1653, occurring in the midst of Franco-Spanish War, which had begun in 1635.11
11634948321Cardinal Mazarin (1602-1661)He controlled France while Louis XIV was a child. Some nobles revolted against Mazarin when Louis was between ages of 5-11. A civil war among various noble factions enabled Mazarin to defeat the nobles. Louis never forgot the humiliation he faced at the hands of the nobles early on and was determined to control the nobility.12
11634948322Versailles PalaceUnder Louis XIV, the Palace at Versailles became the grandest and most impressive palace in all of Europe. the palace reinforced his image as the most powerful absolute ruler in Europe. Royal court grew from 600 people to 10000 people at Versailles. palace became pleasure prison for the french nobility. Built during Louis XIV reign is the quintessential Baroque structure.13
11634948323Edict of Fontainebleau (1685)Revoked Edict of Nantes. Huguenots lost right to practice Calvinism. 200,000 huguenots fled from France to England, Holland and the English colonies in North America. Huguenots later gave major support of the Enlightenment and its ideas of religious toleration. Louis supported the Jesuits in cracking down on the Jansenists (Catholics who held some Calvinist ideas)14
11634948324JansenistsCatholics who held some Calvinist ideas.15
11634948325Balance of PowerA system which emerged in response to the threat posed by Louis. No one country would be allowed to dominate the continent since a coalition of other countries would rally against a threatening power. A situation in which nations of the world have roughly equal power. The power held by a small group when larger groups are of equal strength.16
11634948326War of the League of Augsburg (1688-1697)Louis launched another invasion of the Spanish Netherlands in 1683. In response the League of Augsburg formed in 1686: HRE, Spain, Sweden, Bavaria, Saxony, and the Dutch Republic. This demonstrated the emergence of balance of power. William of Orange (now king of England) brought England in against France. often called the War of the Grand Alliance or the War of the League of Augsburg - was a major war of the late 17th century fought between King Louis XIV of France and a European-wide coalition.17
11634948327War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1713)Was the first world war of modern times with theatres of war in Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland, and at sea. Charles II, king of Spain, died in 1700 without an heir. In his will he gave the crown to the French prince Philip of Anjou. Cause: The will of Charles II (Spanish Hapsburg king) gave all Spanish territories to the grandson of Louis XIV.18
11634948328Treaty of Utrecht (1713)Most important treaty between the Treaty of westphalia (1648) and the Treaty of Paris (1763). It maintained the Balance of Power in Europe. It ended the expansionism of Louis XIV. It gained the asiento (slave trade) from Spain and the right to send one English ship to trade in Spain's New World Empire. spanish Netherlands was given to Austria.19
11634948329BaroqueBegan in Catholic Reformation countries to teach in a concrete and emotional way and demonstrate the glory and power of the Catholic Church. It sought to overwhelm the viewer and Versailles Palace typifies Baroque art.20
11634948334ConstitutionalismThe theory developed in early modern England and spread elsewhere that royal power should be subject to legal and legislative checks.21
11634948335James Stuart/James IThe first Stuart to be king of England and Ireland (r. 1603- 1625) and king of Scotland (r. 1567-1625), he was the son of Mary Queen of Scots and he succeeded Elizabeth I; he alienated the British Parliament by claiming the divine right of kings (1566-1625)22
11634948337PuritansProtestant sect in England hoping to "purify" the Anglican church of Roman Catholic traces in practice and organization.23
11634948338Charles I(r. 1625-1649) Son of James I. Like James, he claimed "divine right" theory of absolute authority for himself as king and sought to rule without Parliament.24
11634948339Long ParliamentThis Parliament met for 13 years from 1640-1653 and chose not to implement the taxes that Charles II wanted to defend England against the Scots. This was mostly because they agreed with the Scot's negative opinion of Laud's religious changes and disagreed with the king on many issues. This powerful parliament also executed Charles's chief advisory, the Earl of Strafford.25
11634948340Oliver CromwellEnglish military, political, and religious figure who led the Parliamentarian victory in the English Civil War (1642-1649) and called for the execution of Charles I. As lord protector of England (1653-1658) he ruled as a virtual dictator.26
11634948341Glorious RevolutionA reference to the political events of 1688-1689, when James II abdicated his throne and was replaced by his daughter Mary and her husband, Prince William of Orange. A bloodless revolution.27
11634948342William and MaryKing and Queen of England in 1688. With them, King James' Catholic reign ended. As they were Protestant, the Puritans were pleased because only protestants could be office-holders. He was William of Orange.28
11634948343English Bill of RightsKing 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.29
11634948344Dutch Republic (Netherlands)The first half of the 17th century was the "golden age" of the Netherlands. It developed an oligarchy of urban gentry and rural landholders to promote trade and to protect traditional rights. The government consisted of an organized confederation of seven provinces, each with representative gov't30
11634948345(Dutch) StadholderA governor of provinces in the Dutch United Provinces.31
11635006749Treaty of Dover 1670The agreement between Charles II and King Louis XIV of France without the knowledge of Parliament in which he promised religious toleration for English Catholics and his conversion to Roman Catholicism.32
11635017943Leviathan (1651)Thomas Hobbes published this work stating that people needed a ruler33

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