AP European History Flashcards: Absolutist Approaches To Power

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Absolutist Approaches To Power, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP European History.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What was the significance of the Fronde (1648-1653) in France?

Answer: A series of civil wars that weakened the nobility's power. Demonstrated monarchy's triumph over aristocratic resistance.

Flashcard 2: Identify the principle justification for absolute monarchy.

Answer: Divine right of kings. Claims monarchs derive authority directly from God.

Flashcard 3: What was the main goal of Cardinal Richelieu's policy?

Answer: Strengthening royal authority and centralization of power. Reduced feudal privileges to build unified royal control.

Flashcard 4: What was the main goal of Cardinal Richelieu's policy?

Answer: Strengthening royal authority and centralization of power. Reduced feudal privileges to build unified royal control.

Flashcard 5: Identify the Prussian monarch known for his militaristic and efficient rule.

Answer: Frederick William I, the 'Soldier King'. Built powerful army and disciplined bureaucratic state.

Flashcard 6: Identify the primary architect of Prussian absolutism.

Answer: Frederick William, the Great Elector. United Brandenburg-Prussia under centralized authority.

Flashcard 7: What was the significance of the General War Commissariat?

Answer: Instrument for Prussian military and bureaucratic centralization. Administrative body that unified military and civil authority.

Flashcard 8: What was the role of the Palace of Versailles in Louis XIV's reign?

Answer: Symbol of royal power and control over nobility. Centralized court life to monitor and control aristocrats.

Flashcard 9: What was the main cause of the War of Spanish Succession?

Answer: Dispute over the Spanish throne after Charles II's death. Childless Charles II's death created succession crisis.

Flashcard 10: What was the main cause of the War of Spanish Succession?

Answer: Dispute over the Spanish throne after Charles II's death. Childless Charles II's death created succession crisis.

Flashcard 11: What was the significance of Catherine the Great's Charter of the Nobility?

Answer: Granted privileges and autonomy to the Russian nobility. Secured noble loyalty by confirming their privileges.

Flashcard 12: What was the main outcome of the English Civil War?

Answer: Establishment of a Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell. Temporarily replaced monarchy with republican government.

Flashcard 13: Identify the economic policy that supported absolutist regimes.

Answer: Mercantilism. State-controlled economy maximizing exports and royal revenue.

Flashcard 14: How did the Treaty of Westphalia affect the Holy Roman Empire?

Answer: It weakened the emperor's authority and decentralized the empire. Fragmented imperial power among independent German princes.

Flashcard 15: Identify the Russian ruler who expanded the empire significantly in the 18th century.

Answer: Catherine the Great. Extended Russian borders and promoted Western culture.

Flashcard 16: Identify the economic policy that supported absolutist regimes.

Answer: Mercantilism. State-controlled economy maximizing exports and royal revenue.

Flashcard 17: What was the Table of Ranks introduced by Peter the Great?

Answer: A system to control the nobility and create a merit-based bureaucracy. Ranked officials by service rather than birth privilege.

Flashcard 18: Who was the ruler of Austria during its enlightened absolutism period?

Answer: Joseph II. Combined absolute power with Enlightenment reform ideals.

Flashcard 19: Which document established a constitutional monarchy in England in 1689?

Answer: The English Bill of Rights. Limited royal power and guaranteed individual rights.

Flashcard 20: What was the main religious effect of the Treaty of Westphalia?

Answer: Recognition of Calvinism alongside Catholicism and Lutheranism. Established religious pluralism in German territories.

Flashcard 21: What was the significance of the Fronde (1648-1653) in France?

Answer: A series of civil wars that weakened the nobility's power. Demonstrated monarchy's triumph over aristocratic resistance.

Flashcard 22: Which Russian monarch is known for westernizing Russia in the 18th century?

Answer: Peter the Great. Modernized Russia through European technology and customs.

Flashcard 23: Identify the principle justification for absolute monarchy.

Answer: Divine right of kings. Claims monarchs derive authority directly from God.

Flashcard 24: What was the significance of the Battle of Lepanto in 1571?

Answer: Marked a major defeat for the Ottoman navy. Ended Ottoman naval dominance in Mediterranean.

Flashcard 25: Identify the primary architect of Prussian absolutism.

Answer: Frederick William, the Great Elector. United Brandenburg-Prussia under centralized authority.

Flashcard 26: Which French king is the best-known example of an absolute monarch?

Answer: Louis XIV. Ruled France for 72 years, epitomizing absolute monarchy.

Flashcard 27: What was the pragmatic sanction related to Maria Theresa?

Answer: Allowed her to inherit the Habsburg dominions. Ensured female succession to Habsburg throne.

Flashcard 28: What was the significance of the Battle of Lepanto in 1571?

Answer: Marked a major defeat for the Ottoman navy. Ended Ottoman naval dominance in Mediterranean.

Flashcard 29: Which treaty ended the War of Spanish Succession?

Answer: Treaty of Utrecht. Prevented French-Spanish union threatening European balance.

Flashcard 30: Which minister played a key role in consolidating power under Louis XIII?

Answer: Cardinal Richelieu. Chief minister who weakened nobility and strengthened monarchy.

Flashcard 31: Which treaty ended the Thirty Years' War in 1648?

Answer: Treaty of Westphalia. Established principle of state sovereignty in Europe.

Flashcard 32: What was the pragmatic sanction related to Maria Theresa?

Answer: Allowed her to inherit the Habsburg dominions. Ensured female succession to Habsburg throne.

Flashcard 33: What was the Table of Ranks introduced by Peter the Great?

Answer: A system to control the nobility and create a merit-based bureaucracy. Ranked officials by service rather than birth privilege.

Flashcard 34: Who was the prominent minister under Louis XV known for his influence?

Answer: Cardinal Fleury. Stabilized France after Louis XIV's costly wars.

Flashcard 35: What was the Edict of Fontainebleau in 1685?

Answer: Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, ending religious tolerance for Huguenots. Forced religious uniformity by persecuting Protestants.

Flashcard 36: What was the significance of Catherine the Great's Charter of the Nobility?

Answer: Granted privileges and autonomy to the Russian nobility. Secured noble loyalty by confirming their privileges.

Flashcard 37: What key reform did Frederick William I implement in Prussia?

Answer: Military and bureaucratic efficiency and expansion. Created Europe's most disciplined army and administration.

Flashcard 38: Who was the ruler of Austria during its enlightened absolutism period?

Answer: Joseph II. Combined absolute power with Enlightenment reform ideals.

Flashcard 39: Which British monarch faced the English Civil War and was executed?

Answer: Charles I. Absolute rule led to parliamentary rebellion and regicide.

Flashcard 40: Which French minister is known for financial reforms under Louis XIV?

Answer: Jean-Baptiste Colbert. Implemented mercantilist policies to strengthen French economy.

Flashcard 41: Which Russian monarch is known for westernizing Russia in the 18th century?

Answer: Peter the Great. Modernized Russia through European technology and customs.

Flashcard 42: Identify the Spanish monarch during the height of Spain's global power.

Answer: Philip II. Controlled vast empire spanning Europe and Americas.

Flashcard 43: What was the Glorious Revolution of 1688?

Answer: Non-violent overthrow of James II, leading to constitutional monarchy. Replaced absolute monarchy with parliamentary supremacy.

Flashcard 44: Which French minister is known for financial reforms under Louis XIV?

Answer: Jean-Baptiste Colbert. Implemented mercantilist policies to strengthen French economy.

Flashcard 45: Which minister played a key role in consolidating power under Louis XIII?

Answer: Cardinal Richelieu. Chief minister who weakened nobility and strengthened monarchy.

Flashcard 46: What was the Edict of Potsdam?

Answer: Frederick William's edict inviting Huguenots to Prussia. Welcomed skilled Protestant refugees to boost economy.

Flashcard 47: What is the definition of absolutism in the context of European history?

Answer: A political system in which a ruler holds total power. Concentrates all governmental authority in one ruler without checks.

Flashcard 48: What was the Edict on Idle Institutions?

Answer: Joseph II's edict reducing monasteries and convents. Reduced Church power to strengthen state authority.

Flashcard 49: What was the Edict of Fontainebleau in 1685?

Answer: Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, ending religious tolerance for Huguenots. Forced religious uniformity by persecuting Protestants.

Flashcard 50: What was the purpose of the St. Petersburg establishment by Peter the Great?

Answer: To serve as a new, western-style capital and symbol of modernization. Demonstrated Russia's commitment to European integration.

Flashcard 51: Which war solidified Prussia's status as a European power?

Answer: The War of Austrian Succession. Frederick II's victories established Prussian great power status.

Flashcard 52: What was the purpose of the Spanish Armada in 1588?

Answer: To invade England and restore Catholicism. Failed attempt to impose Catholic rule on Protestant England.

Flashcard 53: What was the Edict on Idle Institutions?

Answer: Joseph II's edict reducing monasteries and convents. Reduced Church power to strengthen state authority.

Flashcard 54: Identify the impact of the Treaty of Utrecht (1713).

Answer: Ended the War of Spanish Succession; shifted European power balance. Prevented French hegemony and maintained balance of power.