Midterm Flashcards
(14 cards)
What is Enlightenment?
An intellectual and cultural movement in the 17th and 18th centuries. It was an outgrowth of humanism, placed emphasis on reason, individualism, scientific enquiry, religious tolerance, progression etc. The enlightenment period, and it’s self criticism was central to modernity.
Who was Voltaire?
Voltaire was the foremost literary critic of society and religion, he and other thinkers collaborated and worked towards change in society.
What/who were Philosophes?
Philosophes were public intellects who worked for social change and sought reason and rationale in many areas of learning.
What were the connections between Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Rousseau?
Thomas Hobbes postulated a contract with monarchy to maintain law/peace, Locke disagreed with Hobbes, arguing for the rights of people - government by consent. Rousseau challenged others, contrasted the natural state of man with corrupt civilization in The Social Contract. However, most were skeptical of democracy and most did not see women as equals.
What is royal absolutism?
Royal absolutism was end-goal/desire of many monarchs. Many monarchs sought to centralize power of the state unto themselves to be absolute (i.e. have full control of the state, absolute power). Thomas Hobbes supported this.
Where was absolutism founded/where did it stem from?
Royal absolutism reached its zenith under Louis XIV, who was obsessed with his reputation. This led to many European elites to copy the French court.
Why did absolutism under the Stuarts fail?
King Charles I was far less well positioned to enforce absolutism, the parliament’s attempt to strip Charles of raising military forces led to civil war in 1642 and Charles butted heads with the wealthier, more supported parliament (better army and a competent leader, Oliver Cromwell). Charles was executed as a result of this civil war.
How was the English constitutional monarchy created?
The monarchy was re-established by the parliament after the civil war and Cromwell’s death. Later on (post-James II claiming “Glorious Revolution”) Mary and William of Orange seized the throne and signed a Bill of Rights that limited their power, creating a constitutional monarchy.
What followed state centralization?
State centralization was followed by most European monarchs attempting to consolidate power to themselves in the 17th century as “absolute” monarchs. France under Louis XIII/Richelieu and Louis XIV successfully transitioned to an absolute monarchy. The Stuarts did not, resulting in a constitutional monarchy governed mostly by parliament.
Describe the traits of late Medieval warfare
The 100 Years’ War saw increase in contractual arrangements, small standing forces and infantry focus. Warfare in Italy and Germany saw increase in professional mercenary companies and intense competition saw rapid development of defensive and offensive weaponry.
Why was the printing press so significant?
It allowed for new, revolutionary ideas to spread further and faster. Religious, political, intellectual, scientific, and many others were met with reform following the printing press.
What is linear warfare?
A sequential progression of a planned strategy, Dutch leader Maurice of Nassau trained his men in synchronized drill, volley fire, tactics in lines with only firearms, defeated the Spanish tercios vulnerable to artillery and less efficient for firearm use.
What were some significant characteristics of the late Medieval Church?
The Pope was the supreme authority over the church, its doctrines, functions, scripture interpretation etc. The Church also resembled a parallel power structure with lands, taxes and purviews.
What was the Western Schism?
The Western Schism hurt the credibility of the papacy as a spiritual leader. This resulted in the upheaval of the 14th century and intellectual stimulation (printing press, humanism) had led people to search for salvation beyond the Church. Popular movements had questioned Church Doctrine and supremacy of the pope.
