Renaissance Overview and Impact

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Questions and Answers

What was one major consequence of Alexander's decision regarding Moscow during Napoleon's campaign?

Napoleon's army suffered significant losses during the retreat. (correct)

Russia defeated Napoleon without any major losses.

Napoleon was able to establish a strong foothold in Russia.

The French army secured a quick victory over the Russians.

Which of the following was NOT one of Prince Klemens Von Metternich's goals at the Congress of Vienna?

Restore order to European royal families.

Prevent future French aggression.

Establish a permanent European military alliance. (correct)

Execute a balance of power among European states.

What was the principle of legitimacy at the Congress of Vienna?

The allowance for newly formed republics to dictate terms.

Encouragement of democratic systems in European countries.

Restoration of rulers who had been removed by Napoleon. (correct)

A complete overhaul of existing monarchies.

What role did young Creoles play in the revolutions across Spanish colonies?

They returned from Europe with new enlightenment ideas. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about nationalism is TRUE?

Nationalism fosters the separation of empires into distinct nations. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the outcomes of the Franco-Prussian War under Otto von Bismarck?

It was a decisive victory that garnered southern German states' support. Signup and view all the answers

How did Napoleon's replacement of the Spanish king affect the Spanish colonies?

It sparked revolts as they rejected French rule. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the unification of Germany under Bismarck's leadership?

It weakened the position of Austria in Europe. Signup and view all the answers

What government ideology did radicals favor in the context of the French Revolution?

Drastic changes to expand democracy. Signup and view all the answers

What were the primary reasons Italy was the birthplace of the Renaissance?

Thriving cities, a wealthy merchant class, and classical heritage Signup and view all the answers

What significant cultural shift occurred during the Renaissance regarding literature?

Writers began to express individuality and used their native languages Signup and view all the answers

How did the invention of the printing press impact the dissemination of Renaissance ideas?

It allowed books to be produced more quickly and cheaply, spreading diverse ideas Signup and view all the answers

What qualities did Baldassare Castiglione emphasize for a 'Renaissance Man' in his book 'The Courtier'?

Charm, wit, education in classics, and varied talents Signup and view all the answers

What role did patrons play during the Renaissance?

They supported artists and displayed their works to signify wealth and status Signup and view all the answers

What event catalyzed the spread of Renaissance ideas into Northern Europe?

Italian artists and writers fleeing from invasions in Italy Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the Reformation led by Martin Luther?

To address abuses in the Catholic Church and establish Protestantism Signup and view all the answers

How did the population growth during the Renaissance affect European cities?

Rapid urban growth and increased cultural exchange Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary cause for the shift from Native American slavery to African slavery by the Spanish?

The majority of Native Americans died from diseases. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributed to the failure of the Jamestown settlement in its early years?

Lack of proper provisions and planning. Signup and view all the answers

What led to the escalation of hostilities between English settlers and Native Americans?

The expansion of settlers into Native lands. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main goal of the Puritans when establishing their colony in New England?

To seek religious freedom. Signup and view all the answers

What strategy did Cardinal Richelieu use to strengthen the power of the French monarchy?

Reducing the influence of Protestant cities. Signup and view all the answers

What significant international conflict involved the French and British over land claims in North America?

The French and Indian War. Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the transatlantic slave trade have on African societies?

A loss of significant segments of their populations. Signup and view all the answers

What was King Philip’s War primarily about?

Resistance against colonial expansion by Native Americans. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Portuguese colonization influence the demand for African slaves?

Through the sugar market expansion. Signup and view all the answers

What political structure characterized the United Provinces of the Netherlands after their independence?

A decentralized republic with elected governors. Signup and view all the answers

What was a major consequence of the slave trade on American society?

The emergence of systemic racism and social hierarchies. Signup and view all the answers

Which action did Ivan IV take against the Boyars after the death of his wife?

He executed those he mistrusted. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the economic principles of mercantilism?

Limited trade with colonies to protect native industries. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the hostility the Puritans had toward Native Americans?

Differences in religious beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of Peter the Great's primary methods for modernizing the Russian military?

Hiring European officers to train soldiers Signup and view all the answers

Which system did Montesquieu create that prevents any one group in government from overpowering another?

Checks and balances Signup and view all the answers

What major change did Peter the Great implement regarding the Russian Orthodox Church?

He established the Holy Synod for state control. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the reasons the Old Regime was divided into three estates?

To preserve privileges for the wealthy Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant consequence of the Reign of Terror under Robespierre?

Robespierre's own arrest and execution Signup and view all the answers

What policy did the Russians employ during Napoleon's invasion to combat his advancing forces?

Scorched-earth policy Signup and view all the answers

In Hobbes's view, what is essential for maintaining order in society?

Social contracts with total authority Signup and view all the answers

Which food item did Peter the Great introduce to enhance the Russian diet?

Potatoes Signup and view all the answers

What governing principle did Montesquieu find essential for a balanced government?

Separation of powers Signup and view all the answers

What was required for Peter the Great to establish a seaport for Russia?

Extensive battles over the Baltic Coast Signup and view all the answers

During the Reign of Terror, who were considered 'enemies of the Revolution' according to Robespierre?

Fellow radicals who challenged his leadership Signup and view all the answers

What attire did Peter the Great demand nobles to wear to modernize Russian society?

Westernized clothing Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of the Committee of Public Safety during the French Revolution?

To protect the Revolution from its enemies Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the religious reforms during the period mentioned?

The founding of Christian churches independent of the papacy. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a reform promoted by the Church during the period described?

Mandatory tithing for all churchgoers. Signup and view all the answers

What was Suleyman known for during his reign over the Ottoman Empire?

Promoting artistic and cultural advancements. Signup and view all the answers

How did Isma'il's rule impact the religious structure in his territory?

Strengthened loyalty through forced conversion to Shi’a Islam. Signup and view all the answers

What approach did Shah Abbas take regarding the military in his empire?

He created two armies loyal specifically to him. Signup and view all the answers

Under Akbar's leadership, which of the following best describes the cultural atmosphere of the Mughal Empire?

Encouragement of cultural blending across various art forms. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the significant land policies implemented by Akbar?

Grants were reclaimed upon bureaucrats' deaths and redistributed. Signup and view all the answers

What was a major consequence of Aurangzeb's policies during his rule?

Drained the empire's resources and led to rebellion. Signup and view all the answers

How did the language evolve during Akbar's rule?

Urdu emerged as a common dialect among traders. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary role of Nur Jahan in the Mughal Empire?

To exert political influence and manipulate state affairs. Signup and view all the answers

Which architectural achievement is attributed to the era of Suleyman the Magnificent?

The Mosque of Suleyman. Signup and view all the answers

What was a tactic used by Akbar to manage tax collection?

Graduated tax laws that adjusted with income levels. Signup and view all the answers

What major flaw can be attributed to Suleyman's succession plan?

He executed his ablest son, leading to weak successors. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary motivation behind Prince Henry of Portugal's navigation school?

To enhance Portuguese maritime trade and navigation skills Signup and view all the answers

What was one significant outcome of the Treaty of Tordesillas?

It divided newly discovered lands between Portugal and Spain Signup and view all the answers

What made Zheng He's voyages significant in the context of maritime exploration?

He demonstrated the naval capability of the Ming Dynasty Signup and view all the answers

Why did Chinese trade policies restrict foreign influence?

To maintain cultural integrity and minimize foreign intervention Signup and view all the answers

What approach did Tokugawa Ieyasu take to control the daimyo and maintain order in Japan?

He required their families to live in the capital as hostages Signup and view all the answers

What was the reaction of Tokugawa Ieyasu and the Japanese government to Christian missionaries?

They initially supported their missions but later banned Christianity Signup and view all the answers

How did Spanish conquistadors contribute to the decline of the Aztec Empire?

By using superior weaponry and exploiting local rivalries Signup and view all the answers

Which factor significantly aided Hernando Cortes in conquering the Aztecs?

The use of horses and advanced armor Signup and view all the answers

What was a major impact of the Spanish colonization on indigenous populations in the Americas?

The widespread destruction of native populations through disease and warfare Signup and view all the answers

What role did Catholic priests play in the Spanish colonization of New Mexico?

They sought to convert natives while advocating for their humane treatment Signup and view all the answers

What technological advancement did European traders introduce to Japan that significantly impacted warfare?

Cannons and muskets Signup and view all the answers

What led to the early success of Jesuit missionaries in Japan?

The availability of European goods that Japanese merchants wanted Signup and view all the answers

What was one reason for China's limited industrialization during the period of maritime exploration?

Confucian beliefs that discouraged commerce Signup and view all the answers

What was the fundamental change that occurred in the governance of Japan during Tokugawa Ieyasu's rule?

The establishment of centralized government over feudal divisions Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Renaissance

A period of intellectual and artistic revival, lasting from roughly 1300 to 1600.
Means "rebirth"
A revival of art and learning, inspired by classical Greece and Rome.
Led to new artistic styles, literature, and values (individualism).
Spread from northern Italy across Europe.
Italy's advantages: thriving cities, wealthy merchant class, classical heritage.
Patrons (wealthy families/merchants) commissioned portraits and public art, promoting diverse artistic styles.
Writers wrote in vernacular (native language) and explored individual expression.

Renaissance in Europe

Wealthy urban merchants sponsored artists.
Population growth after the Hundred Years' War boosted city growth.
Italian artists/writers migrated to northern Europe, spreading Renaissance ideas.
Invention of the printing press made books cheaper and more accessible, leading to wider dissemination of knowledge.

Renaissance Man

A person proficient in many fields.
Baldassare Castiglione's The Courtier described ideal Renaissance Man traits: charm, wit, classical education, artistic and athletic skills.

Reformation

A movement for religious reform.
Led by Martin Luther, protesting Catholic Church abuses.
Resulted in new Protestant churches rejecting papal authority.
Renaissance values (humanism and secularism) fuelled questioning of the Church.

Suleyman the Magnificent

Son of Selim the Grim, ruled at Ottoman Empire's peak (1520-1566).
Known as the most powerful ruler in the world.
Expanded the empire, conquering Belgrade, North African cities, and parts of Austria and Hungary.
Established a comprehensive legal code.
Simplified and limited taxes, streamlined government.
Trained 30,000 soldiers through conversion to Islam.
Promoted religious toleration for other communities (millets).
A patron of the arts and architecture, commissioning the Mosque of Suleyman.
Employed artists drawing inspiration from Persia and Arabia.
Killed an able son and exiled another, contributing to later decline.

Isma’il

12-year-old leader who spearheaded Safavid rise to power, conquering Persia.
Declared Shi'a Islam as the state religion, unifying his people.
His actions made Islam a powerful force in Safavid society.

Shah Abbas

Ruled during Safavid's golden age (1587-1629).
Promoted cultural blending (trade, art, industry, and cultural influence) with Christian communities.
Employed artisans from both Safavid Persia and foreign countries (Europeans and Christians).
Reformed Safavid military by creating two loyal armies: one Persian, one Christian modeled after Ottoman janissaries.
Improved military with modern artillery.
His actions brought about eventual declining of the Safavid Empire.

Akbar

Babur's grandson, ruled during the Mughal Empire's peak (1556-1605).
Developed a strong army with heavy artillery.
Influenced cultural blending - Persian as high culture, Hindi as common language, and Urdu emerged as a new language.
Implemented fair tax laws, abolished tax on Hindu pilgrims and the jizya, and instated a graduated tax system.
Had a diverse set of wives from different religions who practiced their religions despite his being a Muslim.
Land policies: granted land to bureaucrats who died it got reclaimed by him and given to those he believed should have it.

Aurangzeb

Third son of Shah Jahan, ruled from 1658-1707.
Wiped out many of the positive changes from Akbar’s rule.
Religious tyrant; imposed taxes on non-Muslims, discriminated against Hindus.
Caused opposition and rebellion from Hindus which contributed to the decline of the empire.

Jahangir

Akbar's son.
Left state affairs to his wife

Nur Jahan

Jahangir's wife who was a politician/prime minister.
Favored Khusrau then removed him to favor a different son.

Prince Henry the Navigator

Founded a navigation school in Portugal, encouraging exploration and mapmaking.
Inspired Portuguese exploration along the African coast and beyond.
Spanish and Portuguese rivalry over land claims led to the Treaty of Tordesillas.

Treaty of Tordesillas

Established the Line of Demarcation between Portuguese and Spanish claims.

Zheng He

Chinese Muslim admiral who led seven voyages of exploration.
Used large, well-equipped fleets (400 feet long) to make far-reaching explorations.
Distributed gifts to display Chinese power, resulting in tribute from other states.
His voyages were discontinued due to opposition from Chinese scholars

Chinese trade with Europe

China's trade was controlled by the government, through three coastal ports.
Merchants engaged in illegal trade (smuggling) with Europeans
Silver from the Americas was used as payment by Europeans for Chinese goods.

Tokugawa Ieyasu

Unified Japan after the Battle of Sekigahara.
Became Shogun, relocated the capital to Edo (Tokyo).
Implemented policies (alternate attendance) to control daimyo (regional lords).
Banned Christianity.
Permitted trade with Europe after a period of exclusion and welcomed European trade because of goods from Europe like muskets and cannons.

Spain in the New World

Motivated by gold, trade routes, and empire building.
Columbus's voyage initiated European colonization
Magellan's voyage circumnavigated the globe.
Cortes conquered the Aztec Empire.
Pizarro conquered the Inca Empire.
Colonization led to the spread of Catholicism.
The abolishment of the encomienda system led to African slavery as a replacement.

England in the New World

Jamestown settlement: initial disaster, later success.
Puritans established a colony near Massachusetts Bay.
Pilgrims founded Plymouth Colony.
Relations with Native Americans were strained by land disputes.
King Philip's War was a significant conflict.

Slave Trade and Impact

European colonization of the Americas created a demand for labor.
Africans were enslaved by Europeans and African rulers, leading to significant losses for African societies.
The slave trade affected demographics, economics, and culture in both the Americas and Africa.
The trade profoundly impacted societies by forcibly removing people from their homes and cultures.

Mercantilism

A theory of economics where a state's power is measured by wealth.

United Provinces of The Netherlands

Declared independence from Spain in 1579.
Practiced religious toleration.
Was a republic with elected governors

Cardinal Richelieu

Chief minister of Louis XIII.
Increased royal power by weakening Huguenots and nobles.
Sought France's dominance in Europe by involving France in the Thirty Years' War.

Ivan the Terrible

Early rule: expansion, law codes, justice; following his wife's death: suspicious of Boyars (landowners) and abuse of power.
Killed those who were deemed threats to him and killed his children who he felt would challenge his power.

Peter the Great

Russia's greatest reformer.
Modernized the Russian army and government.
Introduced Western customs and culture.
Forced changes on the Russian people using absolute power.
Moved to a more centralized form of power.
Built St. Petersburg to establish a major port on the Baltic.

Enlightenment Ideals

Reason
Thought
Power of individuals to solve problems

Montesquieu

Advocated the separation of powers to prevent tyranny.

Thomas Hobbes

Believed people are naturally selfish and need a strong ruler (absolute monarchy).

Old Regime Taxes

Three estates: clergy, nobility, commoners.
First two estates were exempt from paying taxes.
Third estate had high taxes and no political power.

Reign of Terror

Robespierre's dictatorial rule.
Execution of enemies of the revolution.
Robespierre's own radicalism led to his downfall.

Napoleon’s Invasion of Russia

Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812.
Russians employed a scorched-earth policy.
Napoleon's Grand Army was severely decimated during the retreat.

Congress of Vienna

Meeting of European powers to restore order after Napoleon.
Goals: prevent French aggression, restore balance of power, and restore monarchies.
Prince Metternich was the key figure.

Creoles

Spaniards born in Latin America.
Lacked high-level political positions.
Played significant roles in Latin American revolts against Spanish rule.

Nationalism

Loyalty to a nation/people group, not to a king/empire.
Causes of nationalism: separation, unification, nation building.

Second Reich

Unification of Germany under Prussian leadership.

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Description

Explore the key aspects of the Renaissance, a transformative period of intellectual and artistic revival from 1300 to 1600. Learn about the cultural influences, important figures, and innovations like the printing press that shaped this era. Discover how Renaissance ideas spread across Europe and the concept of the 'Renaissance Man'.