Renaissance Overview and Impact

A period of significant cultural and intellectual rebirth in Europe lasting from roughly 1300 to 1600, marked by renewed interest in classical art, literature, and thought from ancient Greece and Rome.

A person who excels in many fields and possesses a wide range of knowledge and skills, representing the ideal of Renaissance humanism.

The practice of wealthy individuals or institutions sponsoring and supporting artists, writers, and other creative endeavors.

The invention that allowed for the mass production of books and other printed materials, contributing to the spread of knowledge and ideas during the Renaissance.

The movement for religious reform within the Catholic Church that began in the 16th century, ultimately leading to the establishment of Protestant denominations.

A leader of the Reformation, he challenged the practices of the Catholic Church and helped establish Protestant Christianity.

The thriving cities, wealthy merchant class, and rich classical heritage of Greece and Rome that contributed to the rise of the Renaissance in Italy.

The practice of writing in one's native language rather than Latin, a prevalent feature of the Renaissance.

A period of religious reform within the Catholic Church that began in the 16th century. It led to the creation of Protestant denominations that rejected the Pope's authority.

The belief that salvation is achieved through faith in God's forgiveness alone, without the need for good works.

The belief that the Bible should be the only source of religious authority, rejecting the authority of the Pope and Church traditions.

The belief that all believers are equal before God, regardless of their social status or position in the Church.

A ruler of the Ottoman Empire known for his legal reforms and military conquests. He expanded the empire into Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

A system of law established by Suleyman the Magnificent, addressing crimes and civil matters.

Religious communities allowed to practice their faiths freely within the Ottoman Empire under Suleyman's rule.

The founder of the Safavid dynasty in Persia, who declared Shi'a Islam as the state religion, unifying his people under one faith.

A Safavid ruler known for promoting cultural blending and strengthening the Safavid Empire. He brought artisans from different parts of the world to his capital, creating a unique blend of styles in art and architecture.

A Mughal emperor known for his tolerant policies towards different religions and his ambitious land policies. He promoted cultural blending by accepting many different religions in his court and encouraged dialogue between faiths.

A system of taxes based on a person's income, where those earning more pay a higher percentage in taxes.

A Mughal emperor known for his expansionist policies, religious intolerance, and destruction of many of Akbar's reforms. He placed taxes on non-Muslims and dismissed Hindus from positions of authority.

A Mughal emperor who mainly focused on promoting Islam in his state, but still tolerated other religions. He largely left the affairs of the state to his wife, Nur Jahan.

A powerful and politically influential wife of Jahangir, who held a significant role in Mughal court politics.

A navigational school founded by Prince Henry of Portugal on the southwestern coast of Portugal, bringing together mapmakers, instrument makers, shipbuilders, scientists, and sea captains to advance maritime exploration.

An imaginary line through the Atlantic Ocean established by Pope Alexander VI to divide newly discovered lands between Portugal and Spain. Lands west of the line belonged to Spain, while lands east belonged to Portugal.

A Chinese Muslim admiral who led seven voyages of exploration, traveling vast distances with large fleets and distributing gifts to showcase Chinese power.

China's strict trade policy that allowed only the government to trade with foreign countries, limiting European influence. Trade was restricted to a few designated ports with limited interaction for foreigners.

The Tokugawa Shogunate's policy of alternating attendance, where Japanese feudal lords (daimyo) were required to spend every other year in the capital, Edo (modern-day Tokyo), while leaving their families as hostages.

The process by which Spanish explorers sought gold, new trade routes, and expanded their country's power and influence in the Americas.

Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztec Empire, aided by superior weapons, alliances with Aztec enemies, and devastating diseases introduced by Europeans.

Spanish conquistador who conquered the Inca Empire, using advanced weaponry and exploiting divisions within the Inca society to claim their vast wealth and resources.

The system established by the Spanish to control and exploit native populations in the Americas. Native laborers were forced to work on Spanish estates or in mines, often under harsh conditions.

The practice of European missionaries, particularly Jesuits, Franciscans, and Dominicans, converting native populations to Christianity in the Americas. This practice often involved the destruction of pre-existing religious practices and the imposition of Christian values.

The establishment of Catholic missions, primarily in New Mexico and Arizona, by the Spanish, often accompanied by forced conversions of indigenous people. This practice aimed to spread Christianity and bring the native population under Spanish control.

The suppression of the encomienda system by the Spanish crown, recognizing its exploitative nature and the need for more humane treatment of native populations in the Americas.

The voyage of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who circumnavigated the globe, establishing a new route to the East and demonstrating the vastness of the Earth.

Portuguese traders and explorers who brought clocks, eyeglasses, tobacco, firearms, and other European goods to Japan, seeking to expand their commercial interests and engage with the Japanese market.

The introduction of firearms, such as muskets and cannons, by Portuguese traders to Japan, significantly impacting warfare, society, and the construction of fortified castles to defend against the destructive force of cannonballs.

The forced relocation or displacement of indigenous people from their land by European colonists. It was a key factor in the conflict between European settlers and Native Americans.

A system of economic policies that aimed to increase a nation's wealth and power by promoting exports and accumulating gold and silver. It was prevalent in Europe during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries.

A period of war between England and France over control of the Ohio Valley, which lasted from 1754 to 1763. It had a significant impact on the relationship between European powers and Native American tribes.

A war that began in 1675 when Metacom, also known as King Philip, led an attack on colonial villages in Massachusetts. It was a brutal conflict with significant casualties on both sides.

The practice of capturing and forcibly transporting individuals from Africa to be enslaved in the Americas. It was a major factor in the development of the Americas and caused immense suffering for Africans.

The involvement of African rulers in the transatlantic slave trade by selling captured Africans to European traders in exchange for goods like weapons and gold.

The capture and trade of slaves by African merchants who profited from the transatlantic slave trade by delivering captured Africans to European ships.

The devastating impact of the slave trade on African societies, including the loss of generations of their best members, the introduction of firearms, and the disruption of social structures.

The harsh conditions faced by enslaved Africans, including forced labor, inhumane treatment, separation from families, and the denial of basic human rights.

The legacy of slavery in the Americas, including the development of racial inequalities, the rise of racist ideologies, and the lasting impact on social structures.

A political theory that emphasizes the importance of national wealth and power, achieved through trade, a favorable balance of trade, and the accumulation of gold and silver reserves.

The seven northern provinces of the Netherlands that declared independence from Spain in 1579, forming a republic based on religious tolerance and the power of merchants.

The chief minister of King Louis XIII of France, known for his strong leadership and focus on strengthening the French monarchy and consolidating its power.

The land-owning nobility in Russia, who often challenged the authority of the czars and fought for power during the early years of the Romanov dynasty.

A period of chaos and instability in Russia following the death of Tsar Feodor I, marked by multiple claimants to the throne and widespread social unrest.

A ruler of Russia known for ambitious reforms aimed at modernizing the country, making it a major European power.

A system of government where one person (the monarch) holds absolute power, making all the decisions.

Peter the Great's policy of forcing Russians to adopt Western European customs, including clothing, technology, and social practices.

The central authority of the Russian Orthodox Church, established by Peter the Great to control and influence the church's activities.

A system of government in which power is divided and shared between different branches, preventing one branch from having too much power.

A system designed to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful by distributing power and allowing each branch to check and balance the others.

The theory that individuals voluntarily surrender certain rights to a sovereign (ruler) in exchange for peace, order, and protection.

A strong and powerful ruler who controls all aspects of government and society.

The traditional system of government and society in France before the French Revolution, characterized by rigid social hierarchy and unequal privileges.

The three social classes in pre-revolutionary France: the clergy (first estate), the nobility (second estate), and the commoners (third estate).

A period of extreme violence and political repression during the French Revolution, characterized by mass executions, revolutionary courts, and the dominance of Maximilien Robespierre.

The policy of burning fields and destroying resources to prevent an enemy from utilizing them, often used in warfare.

The battle between Russian and French armies on September 7, 1812, in which Napoleon achieved a tactical victory but suffered heavy casualties, marking a turning point in Napoleon's invasion of Russia.

Napoleon's catastrophic invasion of Russia in 1812, which resulted in the destruction of his Grand Army and marked the beginning of his decline.

The retreat from Moscow devastated Napoleon's Grand Army, leaving only 10,000 soldiers out of a much larger force.

A series of meetings of European powers (Austria, Russia, Prussia, France, and Great Britain) held to restore order and prevent future conflict after Napoleon's defeat.

The principle of legitimacy aimed to restore pre-Napoleon rulers to their thrones, aiming to undo the changes caused by the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars.

The belief that people's primary loyalty should be to their nation, sharing a common culture and history, rather than to a king or empire.

The idea that the government should be based on the principles of liberty, equality, and brotherhood, as championed in the French Revolution.

The process of uniting a group of people with a shared identity and culture into a nation-state.

The process of strengthening a nation's power and influence through economic, political, and social development.

The German Empire was formed under King Wilhelm I of Prussia, unified through wars led by Otto von Bismarck, who brought together the northern and southern German states.

Otto von Bismarck, the German Prime Minister, used war tactics to achieve political goals, bringing about the unification of Germany.

The Seven Weeks' War was a conflict between Prussia and Austria, which resulted in Prussian victory and control over Northern Germany.