Key Concepts in European History
Historical Concepts & Periods
Early Historical Terms
What did 'Burg' mean in the Middle Ages? It comes from 'village'.
What did 'Burgher' mean in the Modern Age? Burghers were privileged and often very rich.
Late Middle Ages Crisis
Was there a crisis in the Late Middle Ages? Yes, there was a lot of hunger, wars, and epidemics.
Key Historical Definitions
- Diplomatic Network: Used to maintain relations with other kings.
- Dynasty: The union of people who govern a country within the same family.
- Matrimonial Alliances: Marriages to secure land or interests.
Political Changes in Europe
What political change occurred in Europe? Authoritarian monarchies were created.
The Catholic Monarchs
Dynastic Union Significance
Why is the term 'peninsular realms' associated with the dynastic union? Because the Catholic Monarchs united them.
Strengthening Royal Power
How did the Catholic Monarchs strengthen their power against municipalities and the nobility? With the Santa Hermandad and the Chancillería.
Characteristics of the Modern Age
- How did the population evolve? Decreased/Increased.
- Was society divided into classes? Yes, clergy, nobility, peasants, also others.
- Which groups were the most powerful? Kings, nobility, church, bourgeoisie.
- What was the main economic activity? Trade.
- Were banking techniques common? No.
- What powers did the king have? Military, Religious, Judicial, Political.
- With which institutions did they govern? Courts, Authoritarian Monarchies.
Unit 11: Humanism
What is Humanism? Where do you think the word comes from? It is a cultural movement based on man; the word comes from 'man'.
Unit 12: The Spanish Monarchy
Key Terms
- Monarquía Hispánica: The Spanish Monarchy (referring to the kings of Spain).
- Great Power: A powerful state.
Philip II's Reign
What were Philip II's two major objectives? Defending Catholicism and retaining his territories.
What problems of his reign are related to the first goal? The origin of the Christian religion.
Why was Philip II's empire called the empire where the sun never set? Because he had conquered lands around the world, so when it was day in one place, it was night in another, and vice versa.
Spanish Empire Administration
- Capitulation: Authorization to form an army or undertake a conquest.
- Monopoly: A right to create a business or institution with exclusive control.
- Council of the Indies: Responsible for advising the monarch on the Americas.
- Casa de Contratación (House of Trade): The site in Spain that managed trade and navigation with the Americas.
Unit 13: 17th Century Spain
Society and Economy
Why was 17th-century Spanish society called a rentier society? Because people lived on incomes (rents).
What were the fundamental values of this situation?
Was the 17th century a period of demographic expansion or stagnation? And economic? It was a period of demographic and economic stagnation.
Crisis Interconnections
Did the economic and social crisis influence the military crisis? And vice versa? Yes, because it affected money and people. Yes, also vice versa.
Understanding Power Concepts
Hegemony
What does it mean for a country to have hegemony on the continent? It means it is a major power on the continent.
International Power
What does it mean to have international power? It means a country is very powerful.
Later Notes & Events
Foreign Policy & Conflict
The king faced war against powers united with England, leading to more economic problems. Peace with England eventually dissolved the alliance of powers.
Other Key Events/Issues
- The expulsion of the Moriscos.
- State bankruptcies.
Charles II
Charles II had no descendants.