Absolutism

Question 1

Peter the Great

Answer 1

1. tall–6’9”–excellent leader
2. goal was to westernize Russia
   a. went to Europe on a trade mission to learn
   b. often disguised as a commoner at work sites and question the workers
   c. persuaded some to return to Russia and teach how courses
3. built new capital in marshy, swampy, disease infested area
   a. wanted it near water–a warm water seaport
   b. area had been very primitive–few went out at night
   c. to be his “window to the west”
   d. St. Petersburg
   e. cost was very high
4. changed the Russian Orthodox Church
   a. control was out of Constantinople
   b. put it under control of the government–as a cabinet post
5. Czar was an absolute monarch–admired Louis XIV
   - came to throne in 1689
   - brought agriculture and factories under government control
   - Eastern Orthodox Church under his control

Question 2

Catherine the Great

Answer 2

1. a foreigner–a German princess
   a. marriage arranged by the mother of the future Czar
   b. marriage not a happy one
2. husband Peter, ruled only six months
   a. he dies mysteriously, probably with her consent
3. she becomes Czarina and an able ruler
4. continue to westernize–her court spoke French
5. extended serfdom
   a. 95% of population were serfs
   b. bound to the land–country estates
   c. complete subjugation
   i. no rights in law courts
   ii. lords could send them to other estates
   iii. could be exiled to Siberia
6. major goal was to gain warm water seaports
   a. fought the Ottoman Empire, which was growing weak
   b. sets up Turks so they attack her
   i. works fast and defeats them
   c. between fighting Turks she divides (partitions) Poland with Prussia and Austria for the first time
   d. returned to Turkish war and defeated them again & gained land around the Crimea and Black Sea

Question 3

England - Henry VIII

Answer 3

• most powerful of all Tudor monarchs
• strong catholic
• supported inquisition of Jews and Muslims
• wanted to expand control in Europe

Question 4

England - Henry VII

Answer 4

• first Tudor monarch

- followed by Henry VIII

Question 5

France - Louis XIV

Answer 5

• most powerful french monarch
• became king at the age of 5
• ruler for 72 years
• motto = “I am the state”
• nickname = the “Sun King” because everything revolves around him

Question 6

which was NOT a demonstration of Peter the Great’s absolute power?

Answer 6

• prevented political enlightenment papers from entering the country

Question 7

what was the purpose of the Spanish inquisition?

Answer 7

• the protestants

Question 8

which Spanish leader first rose to an absolute monarch

Answer 8

• Philip II

Question 9

which demonstrates Catherine the Great’s absolute power in Russia?

Answer 9

• prevented political enlightenment papers from entering the country

Question 10

who served as an absolute leader in Russian?

Answer 10

• Peter the Great

- Catherine the Great