Absolutism, Enlightenment, Revolution, and Napoleon

Chapters 17, 18, 19

Chapter 17 – The Age of Absolutism

1. Ways that Philip II strengthened the power of the monarchy in Spain.

Philip II centralized royal power and made all parts of the government responsible to him.

He became an absolute monarch. As a result of the concept of

divine right, Philip also became guardian of the Catholic Church.

2. Reasons why Spanish power declined 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.

The government placed heavy taxes on the middle class and drove out Muslims and Jews.

3. The successes and failures of Louis XIV.

Louis XIV succeeded in building royal power, expanding the economy, strengthening the army, and making French culture the standard for European taste.

His excessive spending and wars drained the economy and led rival rulers to join forces against France.

Louis’ treatment of the Huguenots caused France to lose many hard-working and prosperous subjects.

4. Four results of the Thirty Years’ War?

As a result of the Thirty Years’ War, France gained territory from Spain and Germany.

The Hapsburgs lost power. The Netherlands and Switzerland

became independent states. Germany was divided into many

separate states.

5. Political and social changes that resulted from the English Civil War?

As a result of the English Civil War, England became a commonwealth headed by Oliver Cromwell.

The monarchy, the House of Lords, and the Church of England were abolished.

Puritan influences resulted in the closing of theaters.

Jews were welcomed back to England.

Chapter 18 – The Enlightenment and the American Revolution

1. Enlightenment a.k.a. the “Age of Reason” is linked to the Scientific Revolution of the 1500s and 1600s.

The thinkers of the time believed that you could use reason (thought) to discover the natural laws that underlie a just (fair) society.

The Enlightenment’s faith in reason to solve social problems grew out of the successes of science during the Scientific Revolution.

2a. Locke, Montesquieu

Locke believed people were born with natural rights and that they formed governments to protect these rights. People have the right to overthrow a government that fails to protect their natural rights.

Montesquieu believed that the separation of powers was the best way to protect liberty.

2b. Voltaire, and Rousseau.

Voltaire believed that freedom of speech and thought were essential rights.

Rousseau believed that people are basically good but become corrupted by society. People in an ideal society would put the collective good over their own interests.

3. Factors that helped Britain become a global power in the 1700s.

an island location, a strong navy, success in war, a favorable business climate, the union of England and

Scotland.

4. New institutions that became part of England’s changing government in the 1700s and their functions.

political parties—advanced the interests of the groups in political power (landed aristocrats and wealthy business people);

cabinet—helped the king rule; prime minister— headed the

cabinet and acted as chief official of the government.

Chapter 19 – The French Revolution and Napoleon

1. The three divisions of France’s social structure before the French Revolution.

The First Estate was made up of the clergy.

The Second Estate was made up of the nobility.

The Third Estate was made up of the bourgeoisie (or middle class) as well as peasants and city workers.

2. Causes of the financial crisis France faced in the late 1780s.

deficit spending, overpopulation, a declining economy, poor harvests, the failure of economic reform.

3. Four stages of the French Revolution:

the moderate phase (1789 – 1791): replace monarchy with republic (Tennis Court Oath, Storming of the Bastille, Declaration of the Rights of Man, etc.)

the radical phase (1792 – 1794): Committee of Public Safety, eliminate monarchists (Reign of Terror, September Massacres, etc.)

3. Four stages of the French Revolution:

the Directory (1795 – 1799): 3rd Constitution,

the Age of Napoleon (1800 – 1815): new Constitution, Napoleonic Code, Napoleonic Wars, return of Monarchy

4. The revolution changed life in France.the revolution abolished the old

social order and made all French men equal citizens;

it instituted a new government; it brought the Church under state

control; it changed fashion;

4. The revolution changed life in France.it introduced nationalism; it made public education

available; it encouraged religious toleration, and it promoted France as a

secular nation instead of a religious one.

5. The rise and fall of Napoleon

He won several victories against the Austrians and captured most of northern Italy;

overthrew the Directory and set himself up as First Consul;

declared himself Emperor of the French;

5. The rise and fall of Napoleon

he defeated all the major powers, except for Britain.

He lost his campaign against Russia, which led to his defeat by Russia, Britain, and Prussia;

he abdicated.