Chapter 17 The Age of Absolutism,

Vocabulary

absolute monarch  A ruler who has complete authority over government and the lives of the people

balance of power  A distribution of military and economic power that prevents any one nation from dominating

divine right  The belief that authority to rule comes directly from God

habeas corpus  Principle stating that a person cannot be held in prison without being charged with a crime

limited monarchy  Government in which a constitution or legislative body limits the monarch’s power

Catherine the Great  Ruler of Russia who seized territory from Poland

Oliver Cromwell  Leader of the Roundheads in the English Civil War

Elizabeth I  Queen of England who encouraged sea captains to plunder Spanish treasure ships

Frederick the Great  King of Prussia who used the army to strengthen the nation’s power

Louis XIV  French king who built a palace at Versailles

Molière  French actor-playwright who produced comedies that made fun of French society

Peter the Great  Ruler of Russia who carried out social and economic reforms to modernize the country

Philip II  King of Spain who advanced Catholic power throughout the world

Miguel de Cervantes  Author of Don Quixote

James I  First Stuart king of England

Critical Thinking/Main Ideas

What economic problems caused the decline of Spanish power in the 1600s?  Overseas wars drained Spain’s wealth.  Treasure from the Americas caused Spain to neglect farming and commerce and led to soaring inflation.  Heavy taxes weakened the middle class.  The expulsion of Muslims and Jews deprived the economy of skilled artisans and merchants.

How did the Glorious Revolution provide England with the beginnings of a limited monarchy?  The Glorious Revolution put William and Mary on the English throne, but they were required to accept the Bill of Rights.  The Bill limited the power of the monarchy and restated the traditional rights of English citizens.  After the Glorious Revolution, English rulers had to obey the law and govern in partnership with Parliament.

 Peter the Great fought the Ottoman Turks for the purpose of gaining a warm-water port on the Black Sea.

 In 1795 as a result of actions by Russia, Austria, and Prussia Poland disappeared from the map of Europe.

 In the late 1500s, France was torn apart by religious wars between Catholics and Huguenots.

 French styles of art, culture, manners, and customs became the standard for European taste as a result of the reign of Louis XIV.

 The Stuart kings’ claims to absolute power were challenged by Parliament.

 Germany was divided into many small states as a result of the Thirty Years’ War.

 Prussia battle Austria during the 1700s to gain control of German states.