Eurasian State Building Flashcards
What splintered the power of the Church and led to many religious wars between European states?
The Reformation
What is the state?
Central government at the national level.
What are the two main forms of the State?
Absolutism and Constitutionalism
Magna Charta (1215)
Legal limitations imposed on the English monarch. Hints of a constitutional monarchy.
Star Chamber
A powerful British court. Initially set up to ensure fair enforcement of laws on Nobles; however, Henry VIII used it to give himself more power.
The Tudors and Parliament
Tudors = Henry VIII to Elizabeth I
Tension as monarchs pushed towards an absolute monarchy, while parliament fought to gain back control.
King James I
Took over after Elizabeth I
Told parliament they were not needed as he ruled with the Divine Right of Kings. Granted monopolies and favors to friends regularly.
King Charles I
Ruled without parliament and believed it should not exist. Marched into Parliament and attempted to arrest 5 MPs.
The English Civil War (1642-1649)
Cavaliers (King) vs. Roundheads (Parliament) Fought to determine if England would become a constitutional monarchy or not. King Charles was executed by beheading and England abolished the monarchy
The Commonwealth (1649)
Not the commonwealth we know today. The republic formed after defeat of King Charles I
Restoration England (1660) and King Charles II
Commonwealth was a strict Calvinist governance. Parliament called back the monarchy and established King Charles II. England is OFFICIALLY established as a constitutional monarchy
King Charles II
Clever ruler, who secretly desired an absolute monarchy, but agreed to listen to parliament. Reign was famously loose, had affairs with actresses, people eventually began to suspect he was after an absolute monarchy.
Whigs vs Tories
Liberals vs. Conservatives
Progressives vs. Royalists
Not organized anything like modern political parties. Factions in parliament
King James II
Not sensible, devoutly Catholic in his politics. Triggered a crisis in 1688 when he ordered all Anglican clergymen to read his decree of Religious Toleration from their pulpits.
The Glorious Revolution
Bloodless revolution which overthrew King James II, who was replaced but William of Orange. Established parliament as the power to give the monarch ability to rule and guaranteed civil liberties. (still not a real democracy, i.e., no universal suffrage)
Plutocracy
Government for the rich, by the rich.
Run by the aristocracy and male property owners.
John Locke
Two Treatises of Government (1690)
People lived in a natural states and have an innate right to life, liberty, and property.
Government as a mediator for the collision of personal interests and for the preservation of property.
The people had the right to overthrow the government, should it fail to represent them.
Louis XIV, the “Sun” King
Expertly navigated the “rise of the state” and the position of the King
Recognized the important of optics. (Versailles, choreographed walking, incredible art, etc) Famous absolutist.
Louis XIV, Bishop Bossuet, and Absolutism
Louis’ theory of absolutism articulated by Bishop Bossuet
Louis allegedly said “L’etat, c’est moi”
Believed the entire state was embodied in the Monarch.
4 Factors of French Absolutism
- Royal Authority is Sacred - Monarch accountable only to God
- Royal Authority is Paternal - King/Subject relationship = Father/son relationship
- It is Absolute - No limitations on monarch’s power
- Subject to Reason - Should mental state of a monarch deteriorate, they can be removed.
Versailles
Royal palace of France built by Louis XIV, purposely built outside of Paris. (King does not live among the people) Nobles lived at Versailles for a portion of the year to allow Louis to keep an eye on them. Palace was built to impress (unmatched grandeur)
Jean-Baptiste Colbert
France’s “finance minister” under Louis XIV. Helped finance construction of Versailles and armies of France. Spent a lot of time focusing on balancing the books. After his death, Louis reigned for 30 more years and France’s economic situation rapidly deteriorated.
Peter the Great of Russia (1689-1725
Absolute monarch of Russia. Famous for building and expanding the Navy and moving the capital from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Desired to reshape Russia through westernization but neglected to address the serfs.
Westernization
Process of ‘becoming like the west’. Peter wanted to imitate Western Monarchies, however he used Autocracy.
Ottoman Turkey
Nomadic people, originating in eastern Asia. Settled in modern-day Turkey, not conquered by Mongols. Replaced Baghdad as center of power in the middle-east.
Sultan Osman I (1299-1326)
Turks in Anatolia, renamed Ottoman Turks after this Sultan
Particularly effective at conquering territory from Byzantine Empire
Sultan Mehmet II (1451-1481)
Conquered the Byzantine Empire by executing a great siege of Constantinople. It was renamed Istanbul and was repopulated/rebuilt to ensure continued success.
Topkapi Palace (“Palace of the Sun Gate”)
Enormous palace of the Ottoman Empire. Sultans often withdrew into the palace and became a remote, almost superhuman figure. The Sultan took on the role of caretaker of the Islamic faith.
The Janissaries
Elite soldiers, directly loyal to Sultan, males (8-18) conscripted from Christian lands of the empire and indoctrinated. Key to empire’s success.
