17th Century Europe Flashcards
A key event that sparked the Thirty Years’ War involved Protestant nobles in Bohemia rebelling against Catholic authority by throwing imperial officials out of a castle window. What was this event called, and when did it happen?
The Defenestration of Prague occurred on May 23, 1618, when Protestant nobles threw two Catholic officials out of a window, triggering the Thirty Years’ War.
The Wars of Religion finally came to an end with a series of treaties that reshaped the political and religious landscape of Europe. What was the name of this peace settlement, and in what year was it signed?
The Peace of Westphalia was signed in 1648, bringing an end to the Thirty Years’ War and the Eighty Years’ War, establishing the principle of state sovereignty and religious tolerance in Europe.
The Thirty Years’ War was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history, involving numerous European powers. In what years did this war take place?
The Thirty Years’ War lasted from 1618 to 1648, ending with the Peace of Westphalia.
The Peace of Westphalia (1648) ended the war, recognizing the sovereignty of German states, weakening the Holy Roman Empire, and granting religious freedom to Protestants. It also marked the rise of France as a dominant power and established the modern system of nation-states.
The Thirty Years’ War devastated much of Central Europe, particularly the German states. What were some of the major consequences of this war?
The war resulted in immense destruction, population loss, and economic decline in the Holy Roman Empire. Politically, it led to the decline of Habsburg power, the rise of France, and the recognition of state sovereignty in the Peace of Westphalia (1648).
When did Louis XIV rule France, and what made his reign significant?
Louis XIV ruled from 1643 to 1715 CE, making him the longest-reigning monarch in European history (72 years). His reign established absolute monarchy, centralized the French state, and made France the dominant power in Europe.
Louis moved his court to Versailles in 1682 CE. The Palace of Versailles became a symbol of absolute monarchy, displaying his wealth and power while keeping the nobility under his control.
Louis XIV promoted classical French art, literature, and architecture, sponsoring figures like Molière (playwright), Lully (composer), and Le Brun (painter). He used art and culture to glorify his rule and project the image of absolute monarchy.
What were the major wars fought during Louis XIV’s reign, and what were their goals?
Louis XIV engaged in multiple wars to expand France’s borders and assert dominance in Europe:
- Franco-Dutch War (1672–1678 CE) – aimed to weaken the Dutch Republic.
- Nine Years’ War (1688–1697 CE) – fought against the League of Augsburg.
- War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714 CE) – fought over control of the Spanish throne.
What was the Edict of Fontainebleau, and how did it impact France?
Issued in 1685 CE, the Edict of Fontainebleau revoked the Edict of Nantes, ending religious tolerance for Huguenots (French Protestants). This led to mass emigration of Protestants, weakening France’s economy.
Who was Jean-Baptiste Colbert, and how did he shape France’s economy under Louis XIV?
Jean-Baptiste Colbert was Louis XIV’s finance minister, who implemented mercantilist policies, improved tax collection, and expanded French industry and trade, making France a wealthy economic power.
What was the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714 CE), and how did it affect France?
The war was fought over whether Louis XIV’s grandson, Philip V, could inherit the Spanish throne. It ended with the Treaty of Utrecht (1713 CE), which allowed Philip to rule Spain but prevented Spain and France from uniting.
When did Louis XIV die, and who succeeded him?
Louis XIV died on September 1, 1715 CE, after a 72-year reign. His great-grandson, Louis XV, succeeded him at the age of five, leading to a regency under Philip of Orléans.
What was the long-term impact of Louis XIV’s rule on France and Europe?
Louis XIV strengthened France’s central government and military, but his wars and lavish spending left France financially weakened, contributing to economic troubles that led to the French Revolution (1789 CE).
What was the Fronde (1648–1653 CE), and how did it shape Louis XIV’s rule?
The Fronde was a series of noble and parliamentary uprisings against royal authority during Louis XIV’s childhood. The rebellion failed but deeply impacted Louis, making him determined to centralize power and prevent future noble resistance.
What were Louis XIV’s three main foreign policy goals, and how did he attempt to achieve them?
- Expand France’s borders to the Rhine.
- Weaken the Habsburgs (Holy Roman Empire and Spain).
- Make France the dominant power in Europe through wars and diplomacy.
He pursued these goals through wars like the Franco-Dutch War (1672–1678 CE) and War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714 CE).
What were the Dragonnades, and how did they impact French society?
The Dragonnades (1681–1685 CE) were policies forcing Huguenots (French Protestants) to convert to Catholicism by billeting soldiers in their homes. This persecution led to mass emigration, weakening France’s economy and skilled workforce.
When did William of Orange rule as Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic and as King of England, Scotland, and Ireland? What major events led to his rise in both roles?
William III served as Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic from 1672 to 1702 CE. He became King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1689 to 1702 CE after leading the Glorious Revolution (1688 CE), which overthrew King James II.
What was the Glorious Revolution, and why did William of Orange intervene in England?
The Glorious Revolution (1688 CE) was William’s invasion of England to remove the Catholic King James II and secure Protestant rule. His successful campaign led to the English Bill of Rights (1689 CE), ensuring Parliament’s supremacy over the monarchy.
What was the War of the Grand Alliance (1688–1697 CE), and what role did William of Orange play in it?
William III led the War of the Grand Alliance (1688–1697 CE), a conflict between France (under Louis XIV) and a coalition of European powers. His goal was to contain French expansion and maintain the balance of power in Europe.
When did the Nine Years’ War take place, and how did William of Orange lead the Grand Alliance?
The Nine Years’ War lasted from 1688 to 1697 CE, with William III leading the Grand Alliance against Louis XIV’s France. His efforts prevented France from dominating Europe, though the war ended in a stalemate with the Treaty of Ryswick (1697 CE).
When was the Act of Settlement passed, and how did it shape Britain’s monarchy after William III’s death?
The Act of Settlement was passed in 1701 CE, ensuring that only Protestants could inherit the English throne. It secured the Hanoverian succession, preventing future Catholic monarchs after William’s death.
When did the Ottoman Empire lay siege to Vienna, and what was the broader historical context?
The Siege of Vienna occurred from July 14 to September 12, 1683 CE. It was part of the Ottoman-Habsburg Wars, as the Ottoman Empire, under Grand Vizier Kara Mustafa Pasha, sought to expand deeper into Central Europe. The city was defended by the Holy Roman Empire and Polish forces, marking a key moment in the struggle between Christian Europe and the Ottomans.
The turning point came on September 12, 1683 CE, when a coalition of Polish, Austrian, and German forces, led by King John III Sobieski of Poland, launched a massive counterattack. The largest cavalry charge in history, led by the Polish Winged Hussars, broke the Ottoman lines and forced them into a chaotic retreat.
The defeat marked the beginning of Ottoman decline in Europe. It led to the formation of the Holy League (1684 CE), an alliance of European powers that pushed the Ottomans out of Hungary and Transylvania in the following years. This culminated in the Treaty of Karlowitz (1699 CE), where the Ottomans ceded significant European territories to Austria and Poland
