Renaissance Chapter 2 Flashcards

1
Q

What does “Renaissance” mean and what language is it?

A

It is French for “rebirth”.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

When was the Renaissance?

A

From the fourteenth THROUGH the sixteenth centuries. (Lasted until the 17th century.)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What happened during this era?

A

Europe emerged from the economic stagnation of the Middle Ages and experiences a time of financial growth. Also, and perhaps most importantly, the Renaissance was an age in which artistic, social, scientific, and political thought turned in new directions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

In what ways do you think the Polos’ worldview might have been different from the worldview of most people of the Middle Ages?

A

He got to experience different living conditions and saw an entirely different part of the world.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Where did the Polos travel?

A

Across Asia, but mainly on the silk road.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What was the silk road?

A

A set of routes that connected civilizations from the Mediterranean to the Pacific Ocean.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What did the silk road do?

A

It was used for trading and helped to exchange ideas and knowledge through international contact.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Trade between Italy and the East had been re-established several centuries before the Polos’ travels as a result of…

A

…a series of religious wars known as the Crusades.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What were important results of the Crusades? (2)

A
  1. Contact with Muslim civilizations.

2. Trade.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Who fought in the Crusades?

A

The Christians and the Muslims.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How come contact with Muslim civilizations was good for the Europeans?

A

The Muslim world was more advanced.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What did contact between the Europeans and Muslims expose them to?

A

New ways of thinking. It also introduced Europeans to different intellectual ideas and knowledge from other societies.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What did Crusaders do and what did that lead to?

A

They brought back many new goods that were not available in Europe. This led to tremendous demand and further trade between Europe and the East.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What kind of goods did the Crusaders bring back from the East? (6)

A

Oil, fruits, spices, luxury goods not available in Europe; precious jewels, rugs, and fabrics.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What was the most valuable/desirable good from the East?

A

Spices; in many cases, they were worth more than their weight in gold.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What happened to keep up with the demands of Europeans? When did this happen?

A

Merchants hired adventurers and sailors to open new trade routes. These new trade routes began a revival in business and shipping in the Western world. This was by the late Middle Ages.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What happened as a result of merchants?

A

The numbers of merchants and traders in Europe grew and so did their wealth. The merchants became a powerful new class outside the hierarchy of the feudal system. Their wealth brought them the power to influence leaders and led to a change in worldview. People began to see that it was possible to move outside of their class. Because of the increased trading, cities began to grow.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What were the largest cities in Europe by the 14th century? (4)

A

Paris, Florence, Venice, and Genoa.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What did the largest cities in Europe do?

A

They increased the demands for foods and other products and led to changes in the way people lived.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What did industries begin to specialize in?

A

Goods for trade, such as textiles, furniture, and handicrafts.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What was the result of industries specializing in goods?

A

More people moved to the cities to work in these industries. Workers began to find and create jobs that were not part of the feudal system, and, thus, became less dependent on the nobles. Some communities became so prosperous and powerful from trade, industry, and banking that they became city-states. Individuals began to feel a sense of belonging to their larger communities, not just their local lord.

22
Q

How did Renaissance Europe look different from today’s Europe? (Especially Italy)

A

Many countries had different borders compared to today and many were not countries at all, but kingdoms and empires.

Italy was a collection of city-states.

23
Q

What is a city-state?

A

A city that is politically independent along with the rural area around it.

24
Q

What is the rural area around the city of a city-state called?

A

Hinterland.

25
Q

Where did dozens of city-states grow up?

A

Across the northern half of Italy.

26
Q

Why did the city-states in Italy become the wealthiest cities in Europe? (4)

A
  1. Geography.
  2. Climate.
  3. Leadership.
  4. Social organization.
27
Q

What role did geography play in Italian city-states? (2)

A
  • Compared to the rest of Europe, Italy was closest to the port cities of Northern Africa and the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
  • Trade for spices and other luxury goods was easier and cheaper compared to the rest of Europe.
28
Q

What role did climate play in Italian city-states? (2)

A
  • Italy’s climate is milder compared to European countries north of the Alps. This meant that trade was not affected by winter weather.
  • The climate was also beneficial in growing crops such as olives (for oil) and grapes (for wine). Both were very valuable in trade.
29
Q

What role did leadership play in Italian city-states? (3)

A
  • In pre-modern Europe, most countries were monarchies ruled by a king or queen.
  • Northern Italy, on the other hand, was a collection of city-states that had their own governments, armies, and controlled their own affairs.
  • Venice, Milan, Florence, and Genoa became the wealthiest trading, business, and banking centers in Europe.
30
Q

What role did social organization play in Italian city-states? (3)

A
  • Feudalism was not as influential in Italy compared to the rest of Europe.
  • In Italy, the nobles moved into the towns and became part of the upper class.
  • Many became involved in business and politics.
31
Q

What control did the Venetians (Venice) have over trade ports? (5)

A
  1. Was founded on a group of islands in a protected harbour, making it easy to defend.
  2. Became great centre as a result of its dealings with the East.
  3. Thousands of ships travelled throughout the Mediterranean Sea and eventually along the Atlantic coast to ports in northern Europe.
  4. Became the largest ship-building centre in Europe.
  5. 2-300 workers in the shipbuilding business.
32
Q

What control did the Genoese (Genoa) have over trade ports? (4)

A
  1. Controlled a share of trade in the eastern Mediterranean.
  2. Had ports in the Black Sea.
  3. Controlled trade with the Spanish ports and Barcelona.
  4. Was destroyed in 1380 and never regained power.
33
Q

How did merchants make money?

A

They purchased goods in one place re-sold them for a higher price in another place.

34
Q

Did merchants only buy and sell spices and luxury items?

A

No, they also sold raw items such as wool that would be used to make cloth.

35
Q

How did Florentine bankers make money?

A

They loaned money to finance international trade and voyages. Banks would make money off of the interest collected from loans. This was called usury.

36
Q

What did the Church originally think of usury and what made them change their mind?

A

The Church originally consider usury sinful but changed its mind to encourage investments in international trade. They realized they could be given donations this way.

37
Q

What did everyone want, besides goods and money?

A

Political power.

38
Q

What did merchants and bankers realize and what did they do as a result?

A

The constant struggles and warfare interfered with their ability to trade and do business. So they began supporting strong leaders who could promise stability.

39
Q

What was the result of European bankers and merchants travelling around Europe on business?

A

It exposed their lifestyle to others.

40
Q

What did wealthy Europeans, artists, and scholars begin doing and what was the result?

A

They visited Italy in curiosity and were impressed with its beauty and sophistication. Italian values and ideas were then spread across Europe.

41
Q

What did the Black Death play a significant role in in Italy?

A

Italy’s economy and citizenship.

42
Q

In what ways did the Black Death alter Italy’s economy and citizenship? (2)

A
  1. Wealthy people began spending money on the arts because there were few good business opportunities to invest in.
  2. The wealthy also contributed to the beautification of their cities to encourage a feeling of loyalty and pride in the public.
43
Q

Define usury.

A

The practice of charging interest when loaning money to someone.

44
Q

Define republic.

A

A state in which power is held by the people.

45
Q

Define despot.

A

A ruler or other person who holds absolute power, typically one who exercises it in a cruel or oppressive way.

46
Q

Define oligarchy.

A

An unelected group of powerful leaders.

47
Q

Define sovereignty.

A

Supreme power or authority.

48
Q

Define guild.

A

A medieval association of craftsmen or merchants, often having considerable power.

49
Q

Define scuola.

A

Italian for school.

50
Q

Define doge.

A

The chief magistrate of Venice or Genoa.