Absolutism Visual Vocabulary

Triangular Trade Colonial trade routes between Europe and its colonies, the West Indies, and Africa

Middle Passage The leg of the Triangular Trade route on which slaves were transported from Africa to the Americas.

Columbian Exchange The global exchange of goods, ideas, plants and animals, and disease that began with Columbus’ exploration of the Americas

Commercial Revolution Expansion of trade and business that transformed European economies during the 16th and 17th Centuries.

Mercantilism Policy by which a nation sought to export more than it imported in order to build its supply of gold and silver

Hapsburg Empire Central European empire that includes the lands of the Holy Roman Empire and the Netherlands.

Keeping up with the Hapsburgs

Philip II King of Spain. Reign marked by the colonization of the Philippine Islands and the defeat of the Spanish Armada after an unsuccessful attempt to invade England.

Spanish Armada Fleet of more than 130 ships and 20,000 men. One of the largest navies in history.

Huguenots A French Protestant

Cardinal Richelieu Chief of French government. Established absolute monarchy and broke the power of the Huguenots.

Louis XIV Sun King. King of France from 1643-1715

Peter the Great Russian czar. Took control at age 10. Transformed Russia from a backward nation into a progressive one.

Undercover Boss

Catherine the Great Empress of Russia after Peter the Great.

Thomas Hobbes English political philosopher. Wrote the Leviathan. Believed that leaders should have absolute power because it would help resolve the problems of human selfishness.

John Locke English Philosopher who believed that all knowledge is derived from sensory experiences.

Lassez Faire “Hands off”. Allowing businesses to operate with little or no government interference.

Adam Smith Wrote Wealth of Nations. Believed that supply and demand should dictate the economy.

Social Contract An agreement by which people gave up their freedom to a powerful government in order to avoid chaos

Natural Rights Rights that belonged to all humans from birth.

Divine Right Idea that God chose the monarchy to act as God’s representative on Earth.

Enlightenment Intellectual movement that stressed reason and thought to solve problems (not emotion)

Separation of Powers Divided the functions of government into 3 branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

Free Market Economic system in which prices are determined by unrestricted competition between businesses

Baroque Style of art, music, and architecture that is characterized by ornate detail

Rococo Style of art that is distinguished by elegant refinement of its elaborateness