Test 2 Review Flashcards
What is Political Legitimacy
The Belief that a rule, institution, or leader has the right to govern
What is Social Contract
Social Contract is an agreement between the people and the government, it involves giving up. some freedoms in order to harmony in society
What is a “State or Nature”
Envisioning what people were like before governments & societies were organized to explain how social contracts emerged
Describe Thomas Hobbes
- Short, Nasty, brutish
- Peace Only achieved through laws
- People must agree in a social contract to submit to monarch
- Ideal state is one of peace where power remains in the hands of the government
- Government is to protect us from ourselves
- Government power cannot be limited (Absolutist)
Describe John Locke
- People willing cooperate and laws & rules emerge to benefit everyone
- power remains in the hands of the people
- believed in constitutionalist ruling
- Locke believed everyone should be involved in the laws that are established, power should remain in the hands of the people, and the public should have the power to overthrow an unfit government. Constitutional rule is similar to Federalism rule.
- Government is to protect natural rights (life, liberty, property)
(IGNORE JUST GIVE 5)
- Rid yourself of other pesky institutions that have local control or power [tribunals or nobles]. Centralize your power and administration
- Use secret police to establish fear, quiet dissenters and maintain order
- Control Religious Authorities
- Taxing and controlling it yourself using bureaucracies
- Monarchs received their authority from god, they were responsible to god alone
Explain the theory of Absolutism
Rulers wanted to be absolute monarchs—rulers with complete power
Based on divine right—idea that monarchs represent God on earth. Rulers seen as receiving their power from God and were responsible to no one except God
What are some causes of Absolutism
→ Substantial increase in wealth from exploration - opened trade, colonization
→ Destabilization caused by frequent Religious Wars.
→ A reaction to the individualism of the renaissance.
Explain Louis XIV Of France
Became king in 1643 at age 5; France initially ruled by regents Anne of Austria (his mother) and Cardinal Mazarin,( Richelieu’s successor) = The Fronde, what?
Announced he would run his own government at age 23 in 1661 following Mazarin’s death; would rein for a total of 72 years - longest in European history.
Would set the style for European monarchies during the 1600s and 1700s., made France one of the greatest nations and the “super power” in culture and politics.
The Sun King
Louis XIV, also known as the “Sun King,” was a powerful monarch who ruled France from 1643 until his death in 1715, making him one of the longest-reigning monarchs in European history. He is known for his absolute monarchy, where he centralized power in himself, making all major decisions for the country. Louis XIV believed in the concept of “L’État, c’est moi” or “I am the state,” emphasizing his belief in the divine right of kings and his absolute authority.
Louis XIV’s leadership style was characterized by his strong control over the government, military, and economy. He implemented policies aimed at expanding France’s territory, enhancing its military strength, and promoting economic prosperity. Louis also supported the arts and culture, transforming France into a center of artistic and intellectual excellence.
Give some reasons why Louis XIV was the most powerful ruler in French History
Bribery - ensures those who were sympathetic to him were elected, kept term to 3 years so that his authority was not undermined
Laws - royal approval
Bureaucracy - staffed by upper middle class (not nobility), therefore chosen based on merit and paid a salary by the government
Centralized religion - stripped church of power (no rules pertaining to French social, political or economic life and revoked Edict of Nantes = unites Church and State under the leadership of the king
Louis XIV of France was considered one of the most powerful rulers because he centralized authority in himself, making all major decisions for France. He had absolute control over the government, military, and economy, believing in the idea of “I am the state.” Louis XIV expanded France’s territory through successful military campaigns, making it one of the dominant powers in Europe.
Explain the role of colbert
Appointed as controller general by Louis XIV
Focus was on economic self sufficiency
created new domestic industries (silk, cotton and tapestries) and discouraged imports of goods
created a merchant marine = trade with colonies in Caribbean and North America
What is mercantilism
- gov’t regulates economic activity based on the premise that international power is a product of its wealth
What is Absolutism
Absolutism is a form of government where one person, usually a king or queen, holds complete power and authority. This means they have control over pretty much everything, like laws, taxes, and decisions about the country. People under absolutism typically don’t have much say in how things are run, because the ruler’s word is final. It’s like they have absolute power, hence the name “absolutism.”
Explain Versailles
goal of every member of the nobility was to live at Versailles = surender power and accepted absolute rule of the king
Routines of life were structured to increase power and make nobility compete for his favour = surrendered his privacy in the interest of the state
Louis kept nobels kept at palace to increase his power over them (e.g. Louis is dressed by the 4 highest nobles, handing him his slippers or holding his sleeves for him, 100 people would be surrounding him, lesser nobles stood in the hallway hoping to get a glance or a nod from him
Was King Louis XIV Reign a sucess or failure
Successes:
Strengthened central power: Louis XIV centralized power in France, making the monarchy stronger and more influential.
Cultural flourishing: He supported the arts, literature, and architecture, contributing to the cultural richness of France.
Military victories: Louis XIV expanded French territory through successful military campaigns, enhancing France’s status as a dominant European power.
Economic growth: Under his reign, France experienced periods of economic prosperity and development.
Failures:
Financial strain: Louis XIV’s lavish spending on wars, courtly luxuries, and building projects led to financial instability and significant debt for France.
Religious persecution: His revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685 led to the persecution of Protestant Huguenots, resulting in social unrest and economic decline.
Wars and conflicts: Louis XIV’s aggressive foreign policies, such as the War of the Spanish Succession, resulted in costly and prolonged conflicts that drained France’s resources.
Social inequality: The extravagant lifestyle of the royal court contrasted sharply with the poverty and hardships experienced by many ordinary French people, contributing to social discontent.
Overall, Louis XIV’s reign is often considered a mix of both success and failure, with his achievements tempered by the challenges and consequences of his policies and actions.
What is Constitutionlism
Opposite of Absolutism, Parliament rules over the Crown
Parliament has power and authority – started in 1215 (Magna Carta) in England and had continued since then
How were the tudor monarchs of the 16th century responsible for constitutionalism developing in england?
1529 – Henry VIII was forced to appeal to parliament for support in his struggle to divorce his 1st wife
This elevated power of parliament
Unlike France there was no religious unity in England – rise of Puritanism (which challenged Anglicanism) under Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I asked parliament for tax increases to finance Britain’s war with Spain, Parliament becoming increasingly reluctant to comply
Struggle for power between Monarch and Parliament
How did the absence of a standing army lead to constitutionalism
No standing army = Monarch dependent on loyalty from the military and nobility
What was the significant events and relationship to the previous leader for James I
Cousin of Elizabeth I
Inherited financial probs & had lavish spending habits – led to a crisis – asked parliament for increase in taxes of 1 million pounds
Parliament only increased taxes by 200 000 poundsJames then renewed old dues such as marriage fees and sold titles – angered both commoners and nobility
Sold monopolies – angered merchants
Extremely intelligent but fascinated by witches, lazy & spent money on court favourites – called “the wisest fool in Christendom
What was the significant events and relationship to the previous leader for Charles I
Took throne in 1625 (son of James I)
Very stubborn and refused to compromise – parliament hated him
Parliament refused to grant the tax increases Charles requested
1629 – Charles suspended parliament – led to what is known as Eleven Years of Tyranny – close to absolutism
1640 – Parliament recalled because ongoing war in Ireland had drained the treasury & needed to raise $ - needed parliamentary approval to raise taxes
Parliament very hostile & rebellious – wanted to stop Charles from raising money – 2 years of conflict ensued
Charles I stormed parliament with 1500 horsemen – tried to arrest opponents
Most parliamentarians escaped through the windows & then gathered supporters – led to a civil war from 1643 – 1649
Royalists (supports of the monarchy) vs. Roundheads (supporters of parliament)
1646 – Charles I is captured & Roundheads tried to negotiate with him – Charles refused
What was the significant events and relationship to the previous leader for Richard Cromwell
- People did not like him, lack of experience failed to earn him the respect and following of the English people.
What was the significant events and relationship to the previous leader for Oliver Cromwell
England was a parliamentary republic from 1649 – 1658 – led by Oliver Cromwell
No monarch but gov’t was pretty much the same
Still divisions in Parliament over control of army and religion
Oliver Cromwell was asked to become king but he refused
IGNORE CLICK 5
James II (brother of Charles II) was king in 1685 after his bro died
Wanted to restore RCC & revive power of the monarch - angered the English people and prominent citizens opposed James II
Dutch monarch – William of Orange had a claim to the English throne because his wife Mary was James II daughter – they were asked to invade England and seize the throne
What was the significant events and relationship to the previous leader for William and mary
William entered England with 15 000 troops – James II fled to Europe without offering any resistance
Not a single shot was fired – became known as the Glorious Revolution
William II(a.k.a - William of Orange) and Mary II (daughter of James II) jointly as constitutional monarchs
Passed the Bill of Rights in 1689 which outlined the powers and rights of parliament – specifically limited the rights of the monarch
What were the reasons for the european exploration
- The rise of capitalism and the search for wealth
Capitalism relies on the organization of money, labour and raw materials to produce more wealth
Western merchants were searching for new markets and new raw materials to be refined by European manufacturers
- Geography
Spain, Britain, Portugal, France & the Netherlands were all quick to use this to their advantage and started exploring and colonizing early
Also new understanding of mapping and oceans and currents and winds in relation to land masses helped to navigate geographical obstacles
- Technological Development
Improvements in mapping
Improvements in ship-building technology – better sails mostly
Improvements in navigation devices
All of these made long voyage more possible
- The search for souls
Wanted to find new Christian allies – Ottoman Empire was at Europe’s door and they were afraid of Muslim expansion
Rivalries between RC European powers and Protestant European powers also became a battle for souls
A race to win over converts
Explain Christopher columbus
1492, the Columbus voyage was the first time people in the Americas ever had contact with Europeans
Columbus “discovered” “America” (didn’t know America at the time, thought it was India) by accident as he was trying to find a quicker route to India, in an effort to trade with the East
Europeans called this land the “New World”: an obvious allusion to the “Old World”
1496: Columbus claims the land of Hispaniola (present day Haiti/Dominican Republic)
Under the mistaken impression that he had reached the Indies or Asia, he named the Aboriginals “Indios” or Indians