Unit 1 Flashcards
What is a Renaissance?
Renaissances are “revivals” and the European Renaissance was a “revival of Cicero”.
What are the Humanities?
Disciplines that separate us from animals. Ex: art, music, theatre, history.
Who is Giovanni Pico della Mirandola? Why is he condemned by the Catholic Church?
Italian philosopher that wanted to combine ideas from Ancient Western civilizations. Wrote “Oration on the Dignity of man”, considered manifesto of the Renaissance. 900 theses on religion to philosophy to magic. He was condemned because the Catholic church wanted total control on faith/beliefs.
What is hidden in the painting “The Creation of Adam” and why is it significant?
Michaelangelo’s “The Creation of Adam” illustrates the Anticipation of God’s creation of Adam. There is a brain hidden in God’s “cloak”, likely symbolizing the endowment of Adam with knowledge of good and evil.
Where did the Renaissance begin and why there?
The Renaissance began in Italy, which was the gateway to trade in Europe.
Why would the Pope seek to create conflict between the Italian City-States?
The Pope didn’t want any City-State to gain enough power to influence what he had power over. The Florentine Republic becomes more valid through Cosimo de Medici, who created the Peace of Lodi due to the fear of Ottomans in the east.
What does Gutenberg Invent? Why is it significant?
Gutenberg invented the movable-type printing press. It’s significant because it allowed humans to get access to the Bible and scientific works, which causes the Renaissance and the Enlightenment.
What is revolutionary about Da Vinci’s paintings?
His usage of the Golden Ratio, a concept of mathematical symmetry.
How does the Italian Economy change and why?
Began embracing earthly pleasures and conspicuous consumption, or consumption that you can see, as opposed to hiding it or avoiding showing it, which was the life in Middle Ages, because of self-sufficiency, plague, and the development of a middle-class. Further, political infighting occurs and allows the middle class to be left alone to earn money.
What eastern threat was defeated at the Battle of Malta? Why is this significant?
The Ottoman Empire was defeated in Malta. This is important because the European Powers no longer saw threats from the east as a valid worry.
What religious conflict begins on the Iberian Peninsula?
The crusades began in the Iberian Peninsula to drive out the Muslim population or the Almohads/part of the Ottoman Empire. It was started by the Pope.
What is the Sale of indulgences and what ramifications resulted from it?
The Sale of Indulgences was the “pre-buying” of forgiveness for sins. It was started because of the Crusades/War and the ramifications in the afterlife. This practice was condemned by Martin Luther, who believed that it was a corrupt practice. He decides to attack church doctrine. The Reformation was furthered by Martin Luther’s posting of his 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg cathedral. One of the major points was that the Bible should be translated into English so that non-clergy could read it.
What causes the Reformation in England?
The Reformation in England came from Henry VIII desiring a male heir, thanks to primogeniture. He petitions for Divorce from Catherine of Aragon, and while the Pope turns him down, Parliament allows them to separate from the Catholic Church, thus creating the Church of England.
Explain the Estates System.
The Estates System is France’s division of clergy (first estate), aristocracy (second estate), and the peasantry (third estate). This doesn’t mean that they all have “equal” representation, as the first and second estates often “teamed up”.
What led to the Golden Age of England?
The Golden Age of England was begun by the defeat of Philip II of Spain’s armada as it attempted to invade England, and it was stopped by a storm, or a “Protestant Wind”.
What was the status of people in Eastern Europe during the 16th and 17th century?
Most peasants in Eastern Europe were serfs, which meant that they had to pay for their mill use, tools, etc. Further, they work for free, to the benefit of their landlords. In short, they were exploited by landowners/landlords. They additionally have an excessively high mortality rate, caused by a lack of real medicine.
What was seen as a sign or of status to most European peasantry?
Education, birth, title, office, etc. They did not see wealth as a sign of status.
What were the primary power structures of Europe?
Religious Authority, which involves the powers of the papacy/church. Additionally, Political Authority is split into two models: Absolutism, as seen in France, and Shared Power, as seen in England and which involves kings sharing power with parliament.
What causes the Thirty Years War and what Treaty comes into existence to alleviate the possibility of future conflict?
The Thirty Years’ War is begun because of religious conflict between Protestants and Catholics in Germany’s Holy Roman Empire (A conglomeration of states that are neither Roman, nor Holy). Following this, Ferdinand II attempted to eradicate Protestants, and overall, 1/5 of Germans are killed. British and French will support both sides, and Poland will enter just before the Ottoman Empire joins the battle. Overall, all the external factors want to see Germany brought down. 7 million people die, and the Treaty of Westphalia is born in 1948, creating diplomatic ties and a balance of power.
What is Mercantilism?
Expansion of a country via colonization for the sake of the benefit provided by the colonies. This ownership of colonies means that the colonies cannot trade with any other colony. The goal of this is to increase exports and minimize imports where possible.
What groups are targeted with accusations of Witchcraft and why?
Women, because of the belief that women are weaker than men, as “evidenced” by Eve’s betrayal of God in the garden of Eden. Typically, these accusations were made against single or older women, and were often used to discredit independent women, so as children grow up, they don’t think they can be independent, they’re further used as scapegoats for tragic events, being blamed for things they likely didn’t have any explanation for.
What is the Enlightenment?
The 17th and 18th centuries, and the focus on science, progress, and the human condition. It involved reform of political institutions across Europe.
What is Deism and how is connected with Enlightenment belief?
Deism as a belief was largely concerned with rejecting the belief that God intervenes in the universe post-creation. It focuses on reason and as Jesus as a moral teacher.
What causes the French and Indian War? What are some of its lasting ramifications?
The French and Indian War is a global conflict that involves England and was the American side of that conflict between France and England. It forced the British to defend the colonies against the French. It set the stage for the American Revolution, as salutary neglect had made the colonies feel disconnected from their countries and led to the rise of founders like George Washington.
