Absolutism

 the acceptance of or belief in absolute principles in political, philosophical, ethical, or theological matters.
 Henry VIII (1485-1603); turned to the Parliament to legalize his actions (ex: approved Act of Supremacy
making him head of Church of England); quickly used his funds to fight overseas
 Charles II was a popular ruler welcomed back to England in May 1660; reopened theaters and taverns;
restored the official Church of England but tolerated other Protestants; accepted the Petition of Right,
followed absolute monarchy, and secretly had Catholic sympathies; avoided his father's mistakes w/
Parliament

 Catherine the Great a German princess who came to Russia at age of 15; learned Russia, followed Russian
Orthodox faith, and won loyalty of people; reorganized gov't, arranged laws, and began state-sponsored
education for boys and girls; embraced western ideas; granted nobles important rights; determined to
expand Russia's borders

 the political doctrine and practice of unlimited centralized authority and absolute sovereignty, as vested
especially in a monarch or dictator. The essence of an absolutist system is that the ruling power is not
subject to regularized challenge or check by any other agency, be it judicial, legislative, religious,
economic, or electoral. King Louis XIV (1643–1715) of France furnished the most familiar assertion of
absolutism when he said, “L’état, c’est moi” (“I am the state”). Absolutism has existed in various forms in
all parts of the world, including in Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler and in the Soviet Union under Joseph
Stalin.

Constitutional

 relating to an established set of principles governing a state.

 Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader and later Lord Protector of the
Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland

 Frederick II (the Great) was King of Prussia from 1740 until 1786.[1] Frederick's achievements during his
reign included his military victories, his reorganization of Prussian armies, his patronage of the Arts and the
Enlightenment in Prussia, and his final success against great odds in the Seven Years' War.

 Louis XIV (The Sun King) was a monarch of the House of Bourbon who ruled as King of France from
1643 until his death.[1] His reign of 72 years and 110 days is the longest of any monarch of a major
country in European history.

 Separation of powers
 Checks and balances
 Judicial Review
 Due process
 Equal protection of law
 Freedom of speech, religion and press