(1) What was “enlightened absolutism”? Enlightened absolutism was a political system that emerged in Europe in the 18th century. It was a form of absolute monarchy, where a monarch had unlimited power, but they also embraced the ideals of the Enlightenment. Monarchs who embraced this system believed that they had a duty to rule with … More Western Civilization II, W12/L60 – Enlightened Absolutism and the American Revolution

(2) Recent historians of science have revisited the traditional version of the Scientific Revolution and have disputed the standard claim that religion and science were locked in a titanic struggle. What is some of the evidence these scholars have brought forth? Recent historians of science have brought forth evidence to dispute the traditional claim that … More Western Civilization II, W10/L50 – Religion vs. Science, Joseph Priestley, and the Enlightenment

(1) According to your reading and the examples in the slides, what are some of the characteristic features of (a) Mannerism and (b) the Baroque? Mannerism is characterized by exaggerated or distorted forms, complex compositions, and a sense of artificiality or stylization. It often features elongated figures, contorted poses, and ambiguous spatial relationships. Examples of … More Western Civilization II, W9/L45 – Characteristic Features of Mannerism and the Baroque, Peter the Great, and Frederick William

(1) What were the key ideas of mercantilism? The key ideas of mercantilism were that a nation’s wealth was based on its accumulation of gold and silver, and that a nation should have a positive balance of trade, exporting more than it imports. To achieve this, mercantilists believed in government intervention in the economy, such … More Western Civilization II, W8/L40 – France Under Louis XIV

(1) What were Cardinal Richelieu’s primary aims? Cardinal Richelieu’s primary aims were to consolidate and centralize power in France, weaken the power of the nobility and the Habsburgs, establish French dominance in Europe, and strengthen the French economy. (2) What factors contributed to the decline of Spain? The decline of Spain was due to a … More Western Civilization II, W7/L35 – Cardinal Richelieu, the Decline of Spain, Constitutionalism, and Hobbes

(1) Explain the views of the French materialists. The 18th century French materialists were a group of philosophers who believed that everything in the universe, including human behavior and thought, could be explained through materialistic causes. They rejected the idea of spiritualism and embraced rationalism and empiricism. They believed that the human mind was not … More Western Civilization II, W11/L55 – 18th Century Europe

(1) What was English life like under Oliver Cromwell? Oliver Cromwell had two main goals. He wanted to restore order after the turmoil from the English Civil War, and he wanted to foster piety and morality among the citizens of England. In order to do this, he governed with Puritan law, instating dress codes, punishing … More Western Civilization II, W6/L30 – Oliver Cromwell and John Locke

(1) What kinds of ideas were the “eutopians” promoting? Why is it perhaps not a coincidence that this desire to rethink the organization of society emerged in the sixteenth century in particular?      The Eutopians advocated for an artificial hierarchy, meaning they thought that the public should decide to give someone a title rather than … More Western Civilization II, W5/L25 – The Thirty Years’ War, the English Civil War, and the Levellers

(1) What were the causes and consequences of the Spanish revolt that occurred after Charles left to be crowned Holy Roman Emperor?     The causes of the Spanish revolt were that Charles V was disconnected from the Spanish. They saw him as an outsider, and it did not help that he appointed his own people as … More Western Civilization II, W4/L20 – The Spanish and Dutch Revolts, the French Wars of Religion, and Elizabeth I’s Religious Policy

(1) How would you describe the condition of the Catholic Church on the eve of the Protestant Reformation?     On the eve of the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Church experienced some conflicting changes. There was a decline in Sunday Mass attendance and the general public seemed to be losing faith in the clergy. However, more dramatic … More Western Civilization II, W1/L5 – The Catholic Church on the Eve of the Protestant Reformation & Luther’s 95 Theses