Key Events: From Absolutism to Enlightenment and Revolutions
Key Historical Events: Absolutism, Enlightenment, and Revolutions
CCAR: The Old Regime
Economy: Manorialism entailed land belonging to the lords and had replaced feudalism. Peasants also had to pay a tithe to the church.
Society: Society was divided into three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and ordinary people.
Policy: Absolutist monarchy prevailed. The king had absolute power and issued laws, appointed judges and ministers, and administered justice.
Change: The bourgeoisie aspired to participate in government and criticized the privileges of the nobles and clergy. Peasants opposed the manorial system and the heavy taxes they had to pay. Enlightenment thinkers proposed a new social and political model for society. The nobility became impoverished, while the bourgeoisie became wealthier through production of food. Most members of society wanted the end of the Old Regime. Population growth occurred because there was greater agricultural production, fewer epidemics, and increased agricultural production. New crops and new techniques of production were discovered.
EPS: English Parliamentary System
In the 17th century, the Stuart dynasty wanted to govern without Parliament. This led to a conflict between Parliament and the monarchy. In 1649, Charles I was executed, and the republic was proclaimed under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell. In 1660, the monarchy was restored with Charles II, who accepted the control of Parliament, and habeas corpus was approved. In 1689, James II caused a second revolution. Parliament offered the crown to William of Orange, a Protestant who was prepared to accept the Bill of Rights.
USI: United States Independence
The sale of tea to a British company caused a rebellion in Boston called the Boston Tea Party. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence of the United States was approved. After a long war, the British recognized the colonies’ independence in 1783, and George Washington became the first president of the US in 1789. The new US created a written constitution that was compliant with the Bill of Rights, guaranteeing freedom of religion, press, and speech.
Eligtm: The Enlightenment
Enlightenment ideas were spread by French philosophers. They contributed to the creation of a new model of political and social organization, which was the basis of political liberalism and liberal revolutions.
Social Change: Opposed stratified society and defended social mobility, equality of origin, and personal merit.
Economic Change: Based on the accumulation of precious metals and defended agriculture and productive work (physiocracy). They defended free trade (economic liberalism).
Political Change: Separation of powers (legislative, executive, and judicial), defended the idea of popular sovereignty, and defended the need for a parliament.
ENCYLOP: The Encyclopedia
Its aim was to bring together the knowledge of the time and share it, and also present critical ideas from Enlightenment philosophers. These ideas were presented in a subtle way to avoid royal censorship.
WARSS: War of the Spanish Succession
Was an internal conflict in Spain between Philip of Bourbon and Charles of Habsburg. The international conflict ended with the Treaty of Utrecht, which recognized Philip V as king in Europe and Spain.
CHARLES3: Charles III of Spain
Was an absolutist king who chose some Enlightenment thinkers to be his advisors. He undertook a series of reforms, like creating primary schools and reforming universities, and regulating the professions.