Sebastian Ramirez

CHAPTER 16: ABSOLUTISM AND CONSTITUTIONALISM IN WESTERN

EUROPE (1589-1715)

Extra Credit Review Packet

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. In what ways does the French minister Richelieu symbolize absolutism? What
were his achievements?
His policies showed total subordination of all groups to France. He took away power
from the nobility by dividing France is 32 districts where a noble man would take control
of that district and would have to follow monarchial decisions. He helped expand the
army.
2. Why can it be said that the palace of Versailles was used as a device to ruin the
nobility of France? Was Versailles a palace or a prison?
Many people of nobility would go over to the palace and would be influenced by the
riches and power that the king, Louis XIV, possessed. Here, power was centralized and
many nobles would get caught up in the antics in the palace. Physically, it was a palace,
but metaphorically speaking, it imprisoned the nobility.
3. Define mercantilism. What were the mercantilist policies of the French minister
Colbert?
The acquiesce of colonies in order to exploit them for the import of raw materials and a
market that is always available and “willing” to buy good from the mother country.
Colbert subsidized French industries and also helped control Canada in order to exploit it.
4. Was the revocation of the Edict of Nantes an error on the part of Louis XIV?
It wasn’t an error since the negative effects were minor. He did get a more uniform
religion, which is needed in an absolute monarchy and he pleased nobles that wished to
get rid of this policy.
5. What were the reasons for the fall of the Spanish Empire?
Spain taxed the poor too heavily, their large amount of gold and silver greatly inflated the
economy, they had a weak middle class, and also they couldn’t keep their colonies
together.
6. Discuss the foreign policy goals of Louis XIV. Was he successful?
Louis XIV wished to expand Colbert’s mercantilist policies, which he was successful in.
He also waged a lot of war, especially against the Spanish. Some of the wars that he
participated in were the war of Spanish succession and also wars against the Dutch. He
was somewhat successful since he did expand his territory.
7. Define absolutism. How does it differ from totalitarianism?
Absolutism is when the monarch/king is in control of the government. Totalitarianism is
when the government is in total control of every aspect in their nation, such as culture.
8. What was the impact of Louis XIV’s war on the French economy and French
society?
His wars seriously depleted the French treasury and therefore had to raise taxes, which
hurt the poor a lot.
9. What were the causes of the War of the Spanish Succession? What impact did

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William III of England have on European events after about 1689?

The main cause of the War of Spanish Succession was the Spanish power vacuum that
would be created and its potential control by the French monarchy since Philip of Anjou
(next in line for the throne) was Louis XIV’s grandson. William III became the new king
of England after the Glorious Revolution.

10.What is constitutionalism? How does it differ from a democratic form of

government? From absolutism?
When the monarchy must follow the rules in the constitution and also the parliament has
more control than the king. It’s different from a democratic form because in a democracy,
all people have the right to vote and that didn’t exist with a constitutional government.
It’s different than absolutism because parliament has more power than king.
11.What were the attitudes and policies of James I that made him so unpopular with
his subjects?
James I didn’t really care what parliament had to say. He tried to rule without them. He
also ruled with divine rule so he didn’t really care if his people thought he was doing
something wrong; he thought the people must listen and deal with it since Jesus has his
back.
12.Who were the Puritans? Why did they come into conflict with James I?
A group of Calvinist that thought that the English Church has to eradicate any sort of
resemblance to Catholicism was the Puritans. They came into conflict with James I
because he wouldn’t abolish bishops from the church.
13.What were the immediate and the long-range causes of the English Civil War of
1642-1649? What were the results?
King James’ I reactions and arrogance led to the Civil War. The attempt of the monarchy
to overtake Parliament also fueled anger in Parliament. James’ threats to wipe out
dissenters also led to hatred towards the king. In the end, Parliament was the victor.
14.Why did James II flee from England in 1688? What happened to the kingship at
this point?
He fled because the people of England were going after him since they thought he was
going to establish a Catholic reign. The kingship was dissolved and parliament controlled
the country under Cromwell.
15.Were the events of 1688-1689 a victory for English democracy? Explain.
No because it gave power to Parliament, which represented only the upper class.
16. Why is it said that Locke was the spokesman for the liberal English Revolution
of 1689 and for representative government?
Because he said that the government has to please the people and protect their natural
rights. He also said revolution was allowed if the government didn’t please the people.
17. Describe the Dutch system of government. How was it different from that of
other western European states? What was unusual about the Dutch attitudes
toward religious beliefs?
The Dutch with a confederate form of government and therefore was different since most
nations were either absolute or constitutional. The Dutch also didn’t care what religion
you practiced.

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IDENTIFICATION
Directions: Identify and explain the significance of the following people and terms.

1. The French Intendants: the name of the people that ruled in the districts that Louis
XIV cut up. They were important because they were the people that Louis XIV
manipulated into giving up their power.

2. Sully: Henry the IV advisor. He was important because he brought economic

stability to France.

3. Paulette: an annual fee paid by royal officials to guarantee heredity in their

offices.

4. Fronde: these were the French revolts to the high taxes.

5. Cardinal Richelieu: He was the financial advisor to Louis XIII. His aim was to
destroy Habsburg rule.

6. Richelieu’s generalites: the 32 districts that France was broken up into so that
nobles would take control of those districts. Diminished noble power.

7. The French Academy: a culture center set up by Richelieu that helped create
French classicism and also expanded the reach and influence of French culture.

8. Louis XIV of France: he was the French king during 1643-1715. He expanded
France and introduced an absolute government.

9. Versailles: the palace was the crux of power and wealth for King Louis XIV. It
also helped diminish the power of the nobility.

10. Moliere: A French playwright that represented French classicism.

11. Racine: Another French playwright that represented French classicism.

12. Poussin: A French painter that was part of the French classicism

13. Count-Duke of Olivares: French prime minister after Philip IV left Spain. He led
many wars like the war over Mantua over France from 1628-1659 and also in the
30 years war.

14. Dutch Estates General: the Dutch federal assembly that handled foreign affairs.

15. Dutch East India Company: a joint stock company that did a lot of trade with the
East. It was a big part of Dutch economy.

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16. Peace of Utrecht: ended the 30 years war. It marked the end of French
expansionist policy and also the end of Spanish power.

17. Cabal of Charles II- this was the name of the ancestor to the cabinet system. This
showed the progression of England towards a constitutional government.

18. Instrument of Government: the English constitution during the Civil War.

19. Puritans: religious people that wanted to purify the current religious system of all
traces of Catholicism. They didn’t agree with much of James I policies.

20. Oliver Cromwell: he was the head of parliament and roundheads in the English
Civil War. He also became the protectorate of England after he defeated the
monarchy. He was a military dictator.

21. James II of England: ruler from 1685-1688. He was the last king before William
and Mary and he resurrected a lot of anti-Catholic fears.

22. English Bill of Rights: this was signed into law and guaranteed rights to the
people. It led to other countries eventually doing something like this.

23. John Churchill: Supported James into power, then William and Mary.

24. Philip II of Spain: he was the leader of Spain and also of the Holy Roman Empire.
He split it up after he quit, which led to wars for power and control.

EXPLAIN
Directions: Explain what each of these men believed about the placement of authority within society.

1. Cardinal Richelieu: Absolutism

2. James I of England: divine right

3. Thomas Hobbes: absolutism

4. Louis XIV of France: absolutism

5. John Locke: republic

6. Sully: absolutism

Directions: Explain what the following events were and why they were important.

7. Revocation of the Edict of Nantes: this is when Louis XIV revoked that edict.
This was important because it led to a spread of fear throughout England of a

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possible Catholic takeover somehow and also helped Louis become more
absolute.
8. Scottish Revolt of 1640: erupted after Charles I tried to reform Scottish church.
This led to a further decline of power from the kings and a spread of religious
fear.
9. War of the Spanish Succession: war between France and the Grand Alliance. This
ended French expansion.
10. Glorious Revolution: the transition from one king to another. This finally led to
Parliament having more power than king and the signing of the English Bill of
Rights.
11. English Civil War of 1642-1649: fracture between Parliament and the king. This
led to Cromwell gaining power, then reverting back to kingships, and finally to a
bill of rights.

INTERPRETING VISUAL SOURCES

Study the reproduction of the woodcut entitled The Spider and the Fly. What is the
message the author of this illustration seeks to convey? Does it make a political
statement? In our opinion, is there any historical evidence set forth in this chapter to
suggest that this print represents historical truth?

That the fly will always be caught in the spider’s web and the spider is in control. It can
make a political statement: the government will always be in control and the people are
trapped by it. This can be seen through an absolute government.