Vocabulary
A system of government in which a king rules with no constitutional limits and claims authority from God.
What is ABSOLUTISM.
The Enlightenment philosopher whose ideas most directly shaped the Declaration of Independence.
Who was JOHN LOCKE.
The French social system that divided society into distinct legal classes before 1789.
What was the THREE ESTATES (Ancien Regime).
The method by which Napoleon first seized political power in France.
What is a COUP D'ETAT.
The long-term political result of England’s struggle between king and Parliament.
What is the creation of CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY (limiting the king's power).
This Enlightenment idea holds that governments exist to protect life, liberty, and property.
What are NATURAL RIGHTS.
This English revolution permanently limited the monarch’s power and strengthened Parliament.
What is the GLORIOUS REVOLUTION.
This earlier revolution convinced many French reformers that Enlightenment ideas could succeed in practice.
What was the AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
One way Napoleon preserved the original goals of the French Revolution.
What is EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW (Napoleonic Code reforms) / ENDING FEUDAL PRIVILEGES.
These two social groups in separate revolutions held economic power but lacked political influence in their societies.
Who were the BOURGEOISIE and CREOLES.
The representative institution in England that fought repeatedly with the Stuart kings over taxation and power.
What is PARLIAMENT.
This idea argues that a government’s authority comes from the consent of the governed.
What is POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY.
These are the divisions of the old French society.
What are the FIRST (clergy), SECOND (nobility), and THIRD (everyone else).
One way Napoleon betrayed revolutionary ideals.
What was CROWNING HIMSELF EMPEROR / CENSORSHIP / LIMITING POLITICAL FREEDOMS.
The primary goal of Latin American independence movements.
What was INDEPENDENCE from European colonial rule.
This legal reform under Napoleon guaranteed equality before the law but restricted women’s rights.
What is the NAPOLEONIC CODE.
The English document that ensured Parliament—not the king—controlled taxation and laws.
What is the (English) BILL OF RIGHTS.
This long-term problem from King Louis XIV and the result of the Seven Years war, helped push France toward revolution, despite Enlightenment ideals.
What was MASSIVE ECONOMIC DEBT.
This reform of Napoleon's strengthened the French state while reducing individual liberties.
What is CENTRALIZING AUTHORITY.
This political dream of Simón Bolívar ultimately failed due to regionalism and geography.
What was GRAN COLOMBIA.
In colonial Latin America, this group sat at the top of society and were born in Europe.
Who were the PENINSULARES.
Napoleon’s invasion of this European country destabilized colonial governments and triggered revolutions abroad.
What is SPAIN.
This argument explains why early revolutionary demands shifted away from cooperation with the monarchy of Louis XVI.
What is the LOSS OF TRUST IN ROYAL AUTHORITY (WEAK LEADERSHIP).
This specific group benefited from Napoleon’s reforms and rise to power, gaining stability and opportunity, even as political freedoms declined.
Who were the BOURGEOISIE.
The shared reality and outcome of many Latin American revolutions.
What is POLITICAL INDEPENDENCE without SOCIAL EQUALITY.