Untitled Quiz

Absolutism and Revolution

• Louis XIV's revocation of the Edict of Nantes adversely affected only French Protestants, leading to their persecution.
• Philip II of Spain's greatest achievement was presiding over the growth of a large empire.
• Philip II required raising taxes to fund a standing army.
• An armada refers to a large fleet of warships, often used for military purposes.
• In contrast to England, which empowered an elected parliament during the 1600s, France centralized power in the monarchy under Louis XIV.
• The weakening of the Catholic Church in Europe during the 1500s and 1600s contributed to a rise in monarchical power.
• Peter the Great of Russia diminished the power of the boyars by introducing a merit system of nobility.
• Louis XIV's relentless warfare left France deeply in debt.
• Peter the Great's reforms transformed Russia into a modern, powerful nation.
• To westernize his court, Peter the Great banned beards, reflecting a shift towards European cultural practices.
• Russia shared similarities with continental Europe in the 1600s, notably being ruled by powerful monarchs.
• Belief in divine right posits that God chooses monarchs to represent Him on Earth.
• Louis XIV's court was centered in the extravagant palace of Versailles.
• The Spanish Inquisition stemmed from Philip II's strong Catholic convictions.
• Visual representations of Louis XIV often portray him as powerful, emphasizing his authority.
• Absolute rulers operate without checks on their power, unlike constitutional monarchs.
• Peter the Great wanted to establish a "window on Europe" in St. Petersburg to reflect European culture.
• Spain, France, and Russia shared the commonality of having absolute rulers who established strong central governments during the 1500s and 1600s.
• James I argued that kings are God's representatives on Earth and should not be challenged by Parliament.
• The Petition of Right (1628) limited the powers of the monarchy.
• Quartering soldiers refers to housing them in private civilians' homes.
• William and Mary were invited to rule England under the condition of accepting parliamentary limits on their power.
• The Glorious Revolution set a precedent for shared power between monarchs and Parliament.
• The Magna Carta established that monarchs must respect certain basic rights of citizens.
• James II faced opposition due to his Catholic faith.
• James I clashed with Parliament due to his belief in the divine right of kings.
• Supporters of the king during the English Civil War were primarily noblemen.
• Tensions escalated under Charles I when he dissolved Parliament after being denied funding.
• Charles I was tried and executed, marking a significant moment in English history.
• A constitutional monarchy limits the power of the king and queen, contrasting with an absolute monarchy.
• Oliver Cromwell was known as an enemy of the king during the English Civil War.
• Divine rights of kings implies that kings are chosen by God.
• The fate of Charles I demonstrated that no English monarch could ignore Parliament.
• The Habeas Corpus Act of 1679 contributed to limiting monarchical power.
• Charles I accepted the principle of no taxation without representation in the Petition of Right.
• After Cromwell's death, Parliament restored the monarchy.
• Members of Parliament opposed James I to protect rights established by the Magna Carta.
• A rebellion in Scotland triggered the English Civil War.
• The first step in the scientific method is forming a hypothesis.
• The geocentric theory posits that the Earth is the center of the universe.
• Aristotle developed the geocentric theory, influential in ancient science.
• The Scientific Revolution marked a transformation in scientific study.
• Copernicus challenged the geocentric model, sparking the Scientific Revolution.
• Nicolaus Copernicus proposed the heliocentric theory, placing the sun at the center of the universe.
• Ancient Greek scientists believed that logic and reason could explain the world.
• Socrates emphasized reasoning as a path to truth.
• Islamic scholars advanced knowledge in astronomy, mathematics, medicine, and physics during the Middle Ages.
• René Descartes contributed to the Scientific Revolution by developing mathematical principles.
• Francis Bacon is credited with creating the scientific method, a systematic approach to research.
• The scientific method revolutionized problem-solving and research methodologies.
• Many scientists initially rejected Copernicus' model due to its radical implications for understanding the universe.
• Robert Boyle discovered the relationship between pressure and gas volumes, while Isaac Newton formulated the law of gravity.
• Euclid made significant contributions to mathematics in ancient Greece.
• Johannes Kepler is recognized for discovering the three laws of planetary motion.
• Baron de Montesquieu, an Enlightenment philosopher from France, advocated for checks and balances within government.
• A key difference between Hobbes and Locke is that Hobbes viewed life without government as difficult, while Locke believed in the right to rebel.
• Hobbes characterized people as naturally selfish and violent.
• The Enlightenment saw some monarchs embrace emerging ideas about governance and rights.
• Thomas Hobbes defended absolutism in his work "Leviathan" (1651).
• Authority, rights, and responsibility were central themes of the Enlightenment.
• John Locke's philosophy supported the social contract between the government and the governed, emphasizing freedom and law.### English Civil War and Enlightenment Thinkers
• The English Civil War questioned government roles, inspiring Enlightenment thinkers to promote new ideas.
• Key concept of absolutism gained traction during the war, supported by Enlightenment philosophy.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Philosophy

• Rousseau argued that governments create unequal societies.
• Central belief: citizens give up some freedoms for protection of their self-interests under social contract theory.

Influence of Enlightenment on Governance

• Many Enlightenment ideas became foundational in the United States' founding documents.
• Thinkers like Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau questioned traditional governance structures.

Timeline of Enlightenment Events

• Correct sequence: English Civil War ends, Locke builds on Hobbes' ideas, Montesquieu publishes "Spirit of Laws," Rousseau publishes "The Social Contract."

Rise of Representative Government

• The Enlightenment era led to increased support for representative democracy.
• Philosophers emphasized individual rights and the necessity of social contracts between citizens and government.

Principles of Checks and Balances

• Montesquieu's theory defines checks and balances to prevent government power consolidation.
• Example: The Supreme Court reviews laws deemed unconstitutional.

Taxation without Representation

• Colonists viewed taxation without representation as a breach of their social contract and a denial of consent.
• Key events like the Boston Tea Party symbolized resistance against such taxation.

US Constitution and Government Reform

• The Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation, addressing its weaknesses by creating a stronger central government while preserving state rights.

Enlightenment Ideas in Action

• Voltaire advocated for the separation of church and state and freedom of the press.
• The Declaration of Independence influenced the French Declaration of the Rights of Man.

Impact of the American Revolution

• The success of the American Revolution inspired independence movements in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Colonies' grievances against British rule reflected similar struggles in France during the French Revolution.

French Revolution Context

• The Old Regime divided society into three estates based on social class, reinforcing political and economic inequalities.
• The storming of the Bastille became a symbol of the fight for liberty in France.

Louis XVI's Unpopularity

• Louis XVI faced criticism for failing to respond to the populace's needs and not supporting necessary governmental reforms.
• Tax increases during famine added to dissatisfaction, amplifying calls for revolution.

Legacy of Enlightenment Thinkers

• The Enlightenment reshaped political thought, advocating for liberty, equality, and representative governance that influenced both the American and French Revolutions.
• The new governmental structure aimed to prevent abuse of power through separation of powers and checks on each branch.