Absolutism in France and Spain Flashcards
Who is often seen as the epitome of an absolute monarch?
Louis XIV
What did Henry the Great promise as king?
“a chicken in every pot”
What was the Edict of Nantes?
allowed the Protestants to worship in 150 traditionally Protestant towns throughout France
What was Richelieu’s primary goal?
to destroy the Catholic Habsburgs’ grip on territories that surrounded France
Who had the longest reign in European History?
Louis XIV
How did Louis XIV acquire the nickname “Sun King”?
He danced in a ballet dressed as the sun to symbolize his central role in the divine order
What did Louis XIV really hate?
division within the state. he believed that religious unity was essential to his royal dignity and to the security of the state
What did the new law that Louis XIV passed do?
ordered the destruction of Huguenot churches, the closing of schools, the Catholic baptism of Huguenots, and the exile of Huguenot pastors who refused to renounce their faith
What was the palace of Versailles?
the center of political, cultural, and social life
What were women’s roles in the patronage system?
they recommended individuals for honors, advocated policy decisions, and brokered alliances between noble factions
What was French Classicism?
what art and a literature was categorized as, meaning works during this time mimicked those of Renaissance Italy
What was Colbert’s central principle?
the wealth and the economy of France should serve the state
What is mercantilism?
a collection of governmental policies for the regulation of economic activities by and for the state
What did you want to do import/ export wise?
you wanted to export more than import
What did the French people have to endure during Louis’ last war?
suffered high taxes, crop failure, and widespread malnutrition and death
What was the Peace of Utrecht?
it ended Louis’ last war and allowed Louis’ grandson, Philip, to remain king of Spain on the understanding that the French and Spanish crowns would never be united
What was France’s position at the beginning of the 17th century and what was it at the end?
At the beginning France was extremely weak but at the end they surpassed all expectation to attain European dominance
How was Spanish trade at the beginning of the 17th century?
it fell 60% due to competition from local industries in the colonies
What did high rents and heavy taxes lead to?
drove the peasants out of their land which led to a decline in agricultural productivity
What was the Treaty of Pyrenees?
ended the French-Spanish conflict, Spain surrendered a lot of land to France
