Absolutism and Constitutionalism Terms and People

Question 1

Absolutism

Answer 1

Political theory and form of government where unlimited, complete power is held by a centralized sovereign individual with no checks or balances from any other part of the nation or government

Question 2

Intendants

Answer 2

Official appointed by French King Louis XIV to govern the princes, collect and recruit soldiers

Question 3

The Fronde

Answer 3

Series of civil wars in France between 1648 and 1653. King Louis XIV confronted the combined opposition of the princes, the nobility, the law courts, and most of the French people, and yet won out in the end. Caused by oppressive taxation of the common people, ambitions of the nobles, and efforts of the Parlement of Paris to check the authority of the crown; the last attempt of the French nobility to resist the king by arms

Question 4

Divine right

Answer 4

A political and religious doctrine of royal and political legitimacy. Asserts that the monarch is derived from the right to rule directly from the will of God

Question 5

Versailles

Answer 5

King Louis XIV expanded this into a masterpiece. Former French royal residence and center of government. One of Europe’s grandest theaters of absolutism. First use was a hunting lodge for Louis XII

Question 6

Thirty-Year’s War

Answer 6

War between many countries. Started out as religious (spread of Calvinism, Peace of Augsberg) but when Swedes and French joined it was political. Ended with the Peace of Westphalia. Contributed to advancements in military

Question 7

War of Spanish succession

Answer 7

First world war of modern times between 1701-1714. Between Spain, Italy, Germany and Holland at sea. Charles II of Spain died without an heir, so he gave his throne to Philip d’Anjou (grandson of French ruler Louis XIV) which incited a war

Question 8

Baroque Art

Answer 8

Characterized by exaggerated motion and clear detail to produce drama. Effect of Counter Reformation, was propaganda for the Roman Catholic Church. Artists to know: Caravaggio, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Rembrandt

Question 9

Mercantilism

Answer 9

Economic theory of European nations in the 16th and 17th centuries; it rested on the premise that a nation’s power and wealth were determined by its supply of precious metals, which were to be acquired by increasing exports and reducing imports to achieve domestic self-sufficiency. This remained the dominant theory until the Industrial Revolution and articulation of the theory of laissez-faire (no government involvement)

Question 10

Constitutionalism

Answer 10

Form of government in which power is balanced between the authority and power of the government on the one side, and the rights and liberties of the subject or citizens on the other. Idea that the government should be legally limited in its powers

Question 11

English Puritans

Answer 11

English Protestants in the 16th-17th centuries, who sought to purify the Church of England Roman Catholic practices, maintaining that the Church of England had not been fully reformed and needed to become more Protestant. Religious reform movement known as Puritanism

Question 12

Rump Parliament

Answer 12

The English government after Colonel Thomas Pride purged the Long Parliament, of those members hostile to the Grandee’s intention to try King Charles I for high treason

Question 13

Protectorate

Answer 13

The position or period of office of a Protector, especially that in England of Oliver and Richard Cromwell

Question 14

Instrument of Gov’t

Answer 14

Was a Constitution of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland. First sovereign codified and written constitution in England. Gave all Christians, except Roman Catholics, the right to practice their faith. The constitution that had been prepared for by the army. It invested executive power in a lord protectorate and a council of state. Cromwell eventually tore it up

Question 15

Restoration

Answer 15

Renewal, Revival. Happened to the monarchy in England in 1660 when Charles II returned as King following the period of Oliver Cromwell’s commonwealth. Bishops were returned to Parliament, establishing a strict Anglican orthodox. A period of expanding trade and colonization as well as strong opposition to Catholicism

Question 16

Glorious Revolution

Answer 16

William of Orange took English throne from James II in 1688. Brought permanent realignment of power within the English Constitution

Question 17

English Bill of Rights

Answer 17

Enacted in 1689 with input from William and Mary of England. It a) affirmed Parliament’s right to make taxes; b) made it impossible for kings to oppose or do without Parliament; c) said only Parliament could give consent for standing armies; d) King could not interfere with elections/debates in Parliament. The rights of citizens to petition the sovereign, keep arms, have a jury trial, and not be subject to excessive bail

Question 18

Dutch East India Co.

Answer 18

Trading company established in 1602 under government sponsorship. Had a joint-stock, investors received 30% other their money from it. Main purpose was trade, exploration and colonization. 1602-1800. Big idea: controlled the spice trade in the East Indies

Question 19

Dutch Realism

Answer 19

1600-1700. Secular, emphasized daily life. Artists to know: Johannes Vermeer, Peter Rubens, Rembrandt

Question 20

Natural Rights

Answer 20

Certain inalienable rights to which all people are entitled, including the right to life, liberty and property; freedom of speech and religion; equality before the law. A strong belief of English philosopher John Locke

Question 21

Edict of Fontainbleu

Answer 21

Issued by King Louis XIV in 1685. This repealed the Edict of Nantes, essentially revoking the Huguenot’s right to practice religion

Question 22

Peace of Westphalia

Answer 22

Ended the Thirty-Year’s War. Basically the Peace of Augsberg but for almost all of Europe in 1648. It weakened the Hapsburg states of Spain and Austria; Strengthened France by awarding German territory; Made German princes independent of the Holy Roman Empire; Ended religious wars of Europe

Question 23

Cardinal Richelieu

Answer 23

King Louis XIII’s chief minister from 1624-1642. Strengthened the monarchy by eliminating the political and military privileges of Huguenots while preserving religious rights. Developed a network of spies to uncover noble plots and then crushed conspiracies against the monarchies by executing conspirators

Question 24

Louis XIII

Answer 24

Dad of Louis XIV, King of France from 1610-1643. Took throne at young age so Cardinal Richelieu was in charge. Chronic illness and mental instability hurt his concentration on affairs of state

Question 25

Gustavus Adolphus

Answer 25

King of Sweden (1611-1632) During Swedish phase of 30 Years War, he brought a disciplined, well-equipped Swedish army to aid Germany since he was also Lutheran

Question 26

Cardinal Mazarin

Answer 26

Carried on Richelieu’s policy until death in 1661 (France). The Fronde happened and it was in response to this guy’s anti-Hapsburg policy and high taxes. 2nd Fronde, they (the nobles) tried to overthrow them but ended up fighting each other

Question 27

Louis XIV

Answer 27

Reconstructed the central policy-making machinery of government. Limited power of nobles by enticing them to live in Versailles and gave them religious power. With this he had control over a) foreign policy, b) making of war and peace, c) levy taxes. Issued Edict of Fontainbleu to delete Edict of Nantes because he felt the Huguenots were undermining his rule. And, he liked to spend money (creating big debt issues for France)

Question 28

JP Colbert

Answer 28

Controller general of finances for King Louis XIV. Sought to increase the wealth of France w/ mercantilism. He founded new luxury industries (tapestries at Beauvais; Venetian glass-making; Flemish cloth makers) and granted special privileges to them. Improved communications and the transportation of goods internally, built roads and canals. Raised tariffs on foreign imports to decrease imports

Question 29

Peter Reubens

Answer 29

One of the most revered painters in art’s history from this period of Dutch Realism/Baroque. Flemish artist who combined the Renaissance knowledge with lush brushwork and lively realism. Produced many well-known pieces of his time, was a proponent of the Baroque-style, was well known as a trusted court painter, was knighted and his fame continued to grow after his death

Question 30

Rembrandt

Answer 30

One of the most revered painters in art’s history from this period of Dutch Realism/Baroque. Famous for his biblical art as well as his print-making. Exemplifies a dark manner of Dutch Baroque art that was a style inspired by Caravaggio, characterized by luxuriant brushwork, rich colour, and a mastery of chiaroscuro. Master in all painting genres, but was really good with portraits. Paintings to know: “An Artist in his Studio”, “Portrait of Jan Six”

Question 31

Johannes Vermeer

Answer 31

One of the most revered painters in art’s history from this period of Dutch Realism/Baroque. Key figure in Protestant Reformation art and regarded as one of the best portrait artists of the Dutch Golden Age. Paintings to know: “Girl with a Pearl Earring”, “The Milkmaid”, “Girl With the Red Hat”

Question 32

JS Bach

Answer 32

Baroque period composer and organist. Wrote over 1000 songs in total, considered one of the best musicians in the classical genre

Question 33

Ivan the Terrible

Answer 33

Named himself tsar (emperor) of Russia in the 1500s and lays the foundation for an absolute monarchy by crushing the power of the Russian nobility, the boyars. He dies without an heir, launching a succession crisis that ends when nobles choose a member of the noble Romanov family to be the tsar. Bottom line: Russia has a history of political chaos and tension between the nobility and the monarch, much like France

Question 34

Mongol Yoke

Answer 34

Mongol empire that Russia was dominated by and that cut them off from the rest of Europe. As a result of this, Russia was behind Western Europe and did not experience the Renaissance and since they were mainly Eastern Orthodox, they did not experience a Reformation

Question 35

Peter the Great

Answer 35

His role in transforming Russia into a powerful state was to Westernize it. A trip to Europe inspired Peter to change the political, economic and cultural aspects of his state. He was also inspired to make a powerful army. He made three significant changes: 1) organized the army and the navy by constructing an army of 210,000 men by promising peasants that when they reached the eighth rank, they were officially of the noble class, 2) reorganized the central government by creating the Senate and creating the boards of administration that had specific functions and 3) adopted mercantile policies by increasing exports and developing new industries to try to gain money, but ultimately raised taxes

Question 36

Frederick William of Prussia

Answer 36

“The Great Elector” from 1640-1688. Began to unite Prussia into a strong, absolutist state by building a standing army. Led to the creation of a strong, centralized bureaucracy. He limits the power of the Junkers (nobles) in the Estates-General but grants them high-ranking positions in military and bureaucracy, unlimited control over the peasants and tax exemptions to ensure their loyalty

Question 37

Frederick William I of Prussia

Answer 37

More than just an elector: a “king-in-Prussia”. Continues his father’s policies of developing a powerful, militaristic, absolutist state. Described Prussia as an army that possesses a state. Was involved in the Seven Year’s War and had success

Question 38

Charles VI of Austria

Answer 38

Author of the Pragmatic Sanction, intended to enable his daughter Maria Teresa to succeed him after the extinction of the direct male line of the House of Hapsburg. After his death, she had to fight in order to secure her spot to the throne