Persisted

Definition

Persisted refers to the ongoing continuation or endurance of certain ideas, institutions, or social structures despite challenges or attempts at change. In the context of the 16th and 17th centuries, this term highlights how certain political, religious, and cultural systems maintained their influence and relevance amidst significant transformations such as the Reformation, the rise of absolute monarchies, and the early stages of modernity.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Despite the upheavals brought by the Reformation, many regions maintained Catholic dominance through strong local leadership and support from monarchs.
2. The system of feudalism showed persistence in various forms throughout Europe, adapting but not entirely disappearing as new political orders emerged.
3. Absolute monarchy persisted as a governing model in countries like France and Spain, even as Enlightenment ideas began to challenge traditional authority.
4. The Scientific Revolution's ideas persisted alongside traditional beliefs, creating a duality in thought that would influence European society for centuries.
5. Colonial expansion persisted as European powers sought new territories for trade and resources, further entrenching economic and cultural hierarchies.

Review Questions

• How did absolutism persist in European governance despite emerging challenges from Enlightenment thinkers?
  • Absolutism persisted in European governance through strong centralized powers that justified their rule by divine right. Even as Enlightenment thinkers began promoting ideas of liberty and democracy, many monarchs used propaganda and military strength to suppress dissent and maintain their authority. The resilience of these absolute rulers allowed them to navigate crises and adapt certain policies while still holding onto their ultimate control over state affairs.
• Discuss the ways in which the Reformation led to the persistence of Protestantism in Europe.
  • The Reformation prompted a significant shift in religious affiliations across Europe, yet Protestantism managed to persist due to various factors such as political support from emerging nation-states that sought to assert independence from the Pope. Additionally, the establishment of Protestant churches provided alternative governance structures that aligned with local interests. This adaptability allowed Protestant movements to thrive even when faced with counter-reformations and Catholic resurgence efforts.
• Evaluate how mercantilism's principles persisted in shaping European economies despite evolving economic theories.
  • Mercantilism's principles persisted due to its alignment with state interests, where governments sought to accumulate wealth through trade surpluses and colonial exploitation. Even as new economic theories emerged, such as those proposed by early economists advocating free trade, mercantilist policies continued to dominate state practices. This persistence was partly because nations believed in the direct link between national power and economic strength, leading them to resist fully embracing these newer ideas for fear of losing their competitive edge.

Related terms

Absolutism: A political system where a single ruler holds absolute power, often justified by divine right, which persisted in many European nations during this era.

Reformation: A religious movement in the 16th century that aimed to reform the Catholic Church, leading to the persistence of Protestantism as a significant branch of Christianity.

Mercantilism: An economic theory that emphasized government regulation of the economy for augmenting state power, which persisted as a dominant economic practice during this period.