Response to Crisis: Absolutism

Essential Questions

France Under Louis XIV

  1. What is absolutism?
  2. How does the divine right of kings factor into this system?
  3. Describe the rest of Europe’s impression of the French court.

Richelieu and Mazarin

  1. Why did these two ministers have so much power in France?
  2. List the accomplishments of Cardinal Richelieu.
  3. How old was Louis XIV when he came to the throne in 1643?
  4. Who really ruled the country?
  5. What did this leader do, and what was the result?

Louis Comes to Power

  1. How did Louis XIV feel about being the sole ruler of France?
  2. What myth did Louis create for himself?

Government and Religion

  1. What was Louis’s key power?
  2. Where was his court located?
  3. What was the greatest danger to Louis’s rule, and why?
  4. What areas of traditional royal power did Louis have complete authority over?
  5. Where was Louis’s power limited, and why?
  6. What did the king do to ensure that his policies were carried out?
  7. What was Louis’s stance on religion?

The Economy and War

  1. Why were finances a crucial issue for Louis XIV?
  2. Who was his controller-general of finances?
  3. How did this man try to increase France’s wealth? (Be specific)
  4. How did Louis attempt to increase his power?
  5. How did Louis go about trying to achieve this?
  6. What was the result?

Legacy of Louis XIV

  1. What year did Louis XIV die?
  2. What was the state of France at this time?
  3. What was Louis’s advise to his successor?

Absolutism in Central and Eastern Europe

  1. Which two countries emerged in the 17th and 18th centuries as great powers?

The Emergence of Prussia

  1. What ruler laid the foundation for the Prussian state?
  2. What problems existed in Prussia, and how did this man attempt to compensate?
  3. What did the General War Commissariat do?
  4. What were Prussian landed aristocracy called, and what was their role?
  5. Who became king in 1701?

The New Austrian Empire

  1. What ruling dynasty controlled the Holy Roman Empire?
  2. What dream ended with the conclusion of the Thirty Years’ War?
  3. What did the Hapsburgs create after this loss?
  4. What present day countries comprise the core of the Austrian Empire?
  5. Was the Austrian monarchy centralized/absolutist? Why?

Peter The Great

  1. Who was the first ruler to take the title of czar?
  2. What did he do?
  3. What were the Russian nobles called?
  4. What was this leader’s nickname and why?
  5. What followed the czar’s death?
  6. What put an end to that period?
  7. What is the zemsky sobor?
  8. Who became czar in 1613?
  9. When did the Romanov dynasty end?
  10. Which ruler was one of the most prominent Romanov rulers?
  11. Was this ruler an absolute ruler? Was this typical of Romanov czars?
  12. What were Peter’s opinions about the West?
  13. How did Peter change Russia?

Cultural Changes and a New Capital

  1. Detail Peter’s cultural changes to Russia. Be able to list specific examples

Military and Governmental Changes

52. Detail Peter’s changes to Russia’s military and government. Be able to list specific examples.