- For at least a century before the reign of Louis XIV, what trends in Europe had been preparing
the way for monarchical absolutism?
- Explain the relationship between the growth of absolutism and the "iron century" in Europe.
- What factors, if any, limited the exercise of complete absolutism?
- What elements within European states were most likely to oppose absolutism? What tactics did
the rulers use in dealing with these elements?
- Describe Louis XIV's use of theater to centralize state power in the royal person.
- What did the Quietists and the Jansenists teach? Why did Louis XIV consider these groups a
threat? How did he deal with that threat?
- How did Colbert's policies as finance minister illustrate the objectives of mercantilism?
- What aspect of Colbert's reform program was most successful? Why? Did his sovereign master
help or hinder its success?
- What were the difficulties in the way of establishing absolutism in Germany? Did these difficulties
discourage the various princes from trying?
- By what instruments did Frederick William, the "Great Elector," make Brandenburg-Prussia a
strongly centralized state?
- Which elements of society under absolutist regimes were best able to retain their privileges in
succeeding eras?
- How did the absolutism of Peter the Great (Tsar Peter I) differ from that of his western European
counterparts?
- Describe some of the outward displays of monarchical authority used by European rulers to
illustrate their ideas of royal authority.
- Both Charles II and his brother James II favored absolute rule. Why did revolution come under
James rather than under Charles?
- How did the "Glorious Revolution" of 1688 and its aftermath ensure that the English monarchy
would henceforth be limited?
- What aspects or consequences of the Revolution of 1688 could be considered as less than
"glorious"?
- On what grounds did John Locke establish the right of revolution? Why were his theories
particularly useful to the leaders of the English Revolution of 1688?
- What is meant by the emergence of a "state system"? How did this differ from what preceded
it?
- The growth of foreign ministries and embassies in European capitals reflected a desire to achieve
international stability. Why was diplomacy also "a weapon in the armory of the absolutist state"?
- How was the character of warfare changing during this period?
- What wars resulted from Louis XIV's threat to the European balance of power?
- What were the stakes at issue in the War of the Spanish Succession?
- Summarize the provisions of the Treaty of Utrecht of 1713. What particular advantages accrued
to the British?
- Explain the term "enlightened absolutism." How did it differ from its predecessor? To what
extent did the absolutism of eighteenth-century rulers become enlightened?
- Why did the Catholic rulers Maria Theresa and Joseph II enact measures restricting the liberties
of the Church?
- Why was Catherine the Great able to establish a more nearly total absolutism in Russia than were
contemporary Habsburg rulers in Austria?
- How did the role of the English gentry in local government differ from that of the Continental
aristocracy? By what means did they maintain their preponderant influence in the central government
of England during the eighteenth century?
- What significant shift in the European balance of power occurred in the second half of the
eighteenth century? What brought about this shift?
- Summarize the provisions of the Treaty of Paris of 1763.
- What is the significance of the Treaty of Paris signed by the British in 1783?
- Although seemingly essential to the maintenance of a European balance of power, Poland was
unable to retain its independent existence. Explain why.
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