Review for Absolutism Test
Comparing Styles of Absolutism
1. What is the theory of Absolutism? What are examples of the sovereign authority coming from God?
2. What was “Divine Right”?
3. Who was France’s chief theorist of Absolutism? What did he teach about the development of government
and who kings were answerable to?
4. What are three unique characteristics of Russia that affected it’s development of absolutism?
France
1. What is a regent? Who was Cardinal Richelieu? Why was he important in France? What three groups did
he fight against to increase the power of the Royal Family, the Bourbons? Be able to briefly summarize
what he did against each group!
2. Who was Cardinal Mazarin? What was Louis XIV’s nickname? What famous quote is credited to Louis
XIV?
3. How did Louis XIV act to limit the power of his opponents? What is the name of Louis’ summer palace?
4. What was the name of Louis’ Finance Minister? What economic policy did he encourage? How did this
work?
5. What was Louis XIV’s primary goal in war? What was he attempting to do by invading the Netherlands?
What formed in 1689, as a result of his military efforts?
6. In 1701, what significant event upset the balance of power in Europe? What resulted from this event? What
was the result? Who was the big winner?
Russia
1. Who was Ivan the Terrible? With whom did he have problems early in his rule? What does Czar mean?
Who was Anastasia Romanov?
2. What are three things that happened during the “Good Period” of Ivan’s rule? What caused the “Good
Period” to end?
3. What did Ivan do, in 1564? What was the Oprichnina? What lands did it make up? Who were the
oprichniki? What was their symbol? What social group did Ivan use them against?
4. What were the Time of Troubles? What caused the Time of Troubles? What is a “false Dmitri”? how did
the Time of Troubles end?
5. What were the four major factors making Russia different than Western Europe in 1700?
6. What was the “Great Embassy”? What were its three purposes? What was Peter the Great’s goal, for
Russia?
7. How did Peter act as an Absolute Monarch (in other words, think of the characteristics of an absolutist
monarch, then apply them to Peter’s case)? How did Peter accomplish his goal of Westernizing Russia?
What was the name of the new capital of Russia? Where was it located?
8. What was Peter’s legacy? What is an autocrat?
England’s Monarchy
1. Who was William the Conqueror? What did he do? Who was King John? What was he forced to sign?
What effect did this have? What was the Royal Council’s primary purpose? What did it evolve into? Over
the centuries, what did the relationship between king and Parliament depend upon? By 1341, what
important limit was placed on the king’s power?
2. Who was James I and how was he related to Elizabeth I? What did he want to do? What did he fight with
Parliament over?
3.
Who was Charles I? How did he escalate tensions with Parliament? What ultimately happened due to their
disagreements? What were the two sides called in the Civil War? Who was Oliver Cromwell? What did he
lead? What eventually happened to Charles I?
4. What was the Commonwealth of England? Was it a success? Why or why not?
5. Who was Charles II? What was his nickname? What important law did he sign? What did it guarantee?
6. Who was James II? Why was he controversial and unpopular? What event caused the “Glorious
Revolution”? What was the “GR”? Who became the rulers of England, after this event? What did they
agree to, with Parliament? What was the effect of the Bill of Rights?