idea that the ruler's authority came directly from God

Central European empire that lasted from the 1400s to the 1900s and at its height included the lands of the Holy Roman Empire and the Netherlands

Served as king of Spain, was a strong supporter of the Roman Catholic counter-reformation. Under his rule, the Spanish empire was at its strongest, however he failed to control the Netherlands and invade England

master of Spanish painter who worked during Spain's golden age

French Protestants of the 1500s and 1600s

law issued by French King in 1598 giving more religious freedom to French Protestants

French king, considered to be the symbol of absolute monarchy

official appointed by French king Louis XIV to govern the provinces, collect taxes and recruit soldiers

royal French residence and seat of government established by Louis XIV

distribution of military and economic power that prevents any one country from becoming too strong

series of treaties that ended the Thirty Years' War

series of wars in which various European nations competed for power in Central Europe after the death of Hapsburg emperor Charles VI

area of eastern and central Europe which came under Polish and German rule in the Middle Ages, and from 1701 was ruled by the German Hohenzollern dynasty

Tsar of Russia from 1682-1725. He was one of Russia's greatest statesmen, organizers, and reformers.

adoption of western ideas, technology, and culture

having unlimited power

port city in northwestern Russia founded by Peter the Great in 1703

German-born empress of Russia who led her country in becoming part of the political and cultural life of Europe

archduchess of Austria and queen of Hungary and Bohemia, wife and empress of the Holy Roman emperor Francis I, and mother of the Holy Roman emperor Joseph II