What was “enlightened absolutism”? Enlightened absolutism was several absolutist monarchies preaching that embracing rational thinking was the only way to survive. A few of the Enlightened absolutist monarchs were, Frederick The Great of Prussia, Empress Catherine The Great of Russia, and Maria Theresa. What was the constitutional dispute between the colonists and the British government … More Western Civ 2 – Lesson 60

Explain the views of the French materialists. The view of the french materialists was that people were just machines ruled by their baser instincts of physical pleasure and self preservation. They also believed that there was no higher power or spiritual plane. What does Adam Smith mean by the “invisible hand”? Adam Smith’s reference to … More Western Civ 2 – Lesson 55

What was the Ptolemaic-Aristotelian view of the universe, and how did Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton undermine it and institute an alternative? The main view that we consider of the Ptolemaic-Aristotelian view of the universe was that all the moons, planets, and stars revolved around the earth. It was undermined by the theories that perhaps … More Western Civ 2 – Lesson 50

According to your reading and the examples in the slides, what are some of the characteristic features of (a) Mannerism and (b) the Baroque? Some of the characteristic features of mannerism is the vivid usage of lights and darks, with climatic positioning and  postures,  often, the people in manneristic paintings and art had agonized expressions … More Western Civ 2 – Lesson 45

What were the key ideas of mercantilism? The key ideas of mercantilism were to control what was being bought and sold, to minimize imports, and to maximize exports. What were the causes and outcomes of the wars involving France in the latter half of the seventeenth century? The main causes for wars in France during … More Western Civ 2 – Lesson 40

What were Cardinal Richelieu’s primary aims? Richelieu wanted to strengthen authorities of the king and reduce the rise of the Habsburg hegemony. There were many small private regions and cities run by nobles, with personal armies and power within itself that Richelieu took down. He wanted central power in France, which could not be done … More Western Civ 2 – Lesson 35

What was English life like under Oliver Cromwell? Oliver Cromwell did not leave a positive impression on the English people. He enforced a strict Puritan code in the country. Life in England became extremely conservative and monotonous under Cromwell. Even innocent pleasures, such as theater and extravagant holiday celebrations as we know them today were … More Western Civ 2 – Lesson 30

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 were promoting many things; some contradictory to others, but their blanket foundation was totalitarian government. Built on top of this foundation, were … More Western Civ 2 – Lesson 25

What were the causes and consequences of the Spanish revolt that occurred after Charles left to be crowned Holy Roman Emperor? The Spanish were reluctant to serve a king who was from the Low Countries and who could not speak fluent Spanish. They revolted against Charles V, but Charles overcame the revolt by ruling with … More Western Civ 2 – Lesson 20

How was the English Reformation different from the German Reformation? The difference between the two Reformations was great. Martin saw that the practices and how the Catholic Church manage were wrong. Martin Luther doesn’t want to restore but to change the church because he could see that the church was not what God wanted it … More Western Civ 2 – Lesson 15