European History Review Midterm

Enlightenment- Movement that began in Northern Europe in the late 17th early 18th century as people began examining the natural world, society, and the government. Also called the age of reasoning, revolution in thoughts and ideas, emphasized the use of reasoning and the scientific method to obtain knowledge. Its purpose was to reform society using reason, challenge ideas grounded in tradition and faith, and advance knowledge through the scientific method.

Mercantilism- Dominated Western European policy from 17th to 18th century. Economic doctrine based on the theory that a nation benefits by selling more goods than what they bought, in other words, a positive balance of trades. Mercantilism was a cause of frequent European wars in that time and it motivated colonial expansion.

Military-Fiscal State- When a state bases its economic model on the sustainment of its armed forces, usually in times of prolonged and severe conflict. Usually, they subject their citizens to high taxation for this purpose.

Royal Absolutism- Developed by Thomas Hobbes, stating that the king has ultimate rule or power over the state. King has obligations to the citizens and citizens have obligation to the king. The king is bound by the fundamental kingdom laws, however, no one can check his power. This spread through Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Louis XIV, the Sun King- Ruled from the 17th to the 18th centuries. He was an absolute monarch that completely controlled France. One of his great accomplishments was the building of the palace Versailles. He was considered to be the model of absolute monarchs, he controlled all aspects of the government and consolidated a system of monarchial rule in France until the French revolution.

French Revolution- 18th century. Major change in government that sought to end the absolute monarchy and begin a representative government. The structural changes the government underwent were based on Enlightenment principles of...