Constitutionalism Flashcards
Absolutism
The theory that the monarch is supreme and can exercise full and complete power unilaterally
Bill of Rights
English document declaring that sovereignty resided with Parliament
Charles I
Stuart king who brought conflict with Parliament to a head and was subsequently executed
Charles II
Stuart king during the Restoration, following Cromwell’s Interregnum
Colbert
The financial minister under the French king Louis XIV who promoted mercantilist policies
Constitutionalism
The theory that power should be shared between rulers and their subjects and the state governed according to laws
Oliver Cromwell
The principal leader and a gentry member of the Puritans in Parliament
Diggers and Levellers
Radical groups in England in the 1650’s who called for the abolition of private ownership and extension of the franchise
Divine right monarchy
The belief that a monarch’s power derives from God and represents Him on earth
Frederick the Great
The Prussian ruler who expanded his territory by invading the duchy of Silesia and defeating Maria Theresa of Austria
Frederick William
The “Great Elector”, who built a strong Prussian army and infused military values into Prussian society
French Classicism
The style in 17th century art and literature resembling the arts in the ancient world and in the Renaissance
Fronde
The last aristocratic revolt against a French monarch
Glorious Revolution
A 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
Habeas corpus
The legal protection that prohibits the imprisonment of a subject without demonstrated cause
Thomas Hobbes
Political theorist advocating absolute monarchy based on his concept of an anarchic state of nature
Interregnum
The period of Cromwellian rule, between the Stuart dynastic rules of Charles I and Charles II
James I
Stuart monarch who ignored constitutional principles and asserted the divine right of kings
James II
Final Stuart ruler; he was forced to abdicate in favor of William and Mary, who agreed to the Bill of rights, guaranteeing parliamentary supremacy
John Locke
Political theorist who defended the Glorious Revolution with the argument that all people are born with certain natural rights to life, liberty and property
Louis XIV
Also known as the ‘Sun King’; the ruler of France who established the supremacy of absolutism in 17th century Europe
Maria Theresa
Archduchess of Austria, Queen of Hungary, who lost the Hapsburg possession of Silesia to Frederick the Great but was able to keep her other Austrian territories.
Mercantilism
Governmental policies by which the state regulates the economy, through taxes, tariffs, subsidies, and laws
New Model Army
The disciplined fighting force of Protestants led by Oliver Cromwell in the English civil war
Peace of Utrecht
The pact concluding the War of the Spanish Succession, forbidding the union of France with Spain, and conferring control of Gibraltar on England
Peter the Great
The Romanov czar who initiated the westernization of Russian society by travelling to the West and incorporation techniques of manufacturing as well ad manners an dress.
Petition of Right
Parliamentary document that restricted the king’s power. Most notably, it called for recognition of the writ of habeas corpus and held that only Parliament could impose new taxes
Puritan Revolution
A reference to the English civil war, waged to determine whether sovereignty would reside in the monarch or in Parliament
Puritans
Protestant sect in England hoping to ‘purify’ the Anglican church of Roman Catholic traces in practice and organization
Restoration
The return of the Stuart monarchy after the period of republican government under Cromwell-in fact, a military dictatorship
Test Act
Law prohibitihg Catholics and dissenters to hold political office
Versailles
Palace constructed by Louis XIV outside of Paris to glorify his rule and subdue the nobility
War of the Spanish Succession
The last of Louis XIV’s wars involving the issue of succession to the Spanish Throne
William of Orange
Dutch price and foe to Louis XIV who became king of England in 1689
