Renaissance, Reformation, and Scientific Revolution

• Study notes for three major periods of European history: the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Scientific Revolution
• Includes key terms, concepts, and questions to consider for each period

Key Terms

• Renaissance: A period of renewed interest in classical art, literature, and learning in Europe, marking a transition from the Middle Ages to modernity
• Humanism: An intellectual movement that focused on human potential and achievements
• Secular: Non-religious or worldly
• Patron: A person who provides financial or other support to artists or intellectuals
• Vernacular: The language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region
• Renaissance Person: A person with a wide range of skills and knowledge
• Reformation: A 16th-century movement for religious reform, leading to the establishment of Protestant churches
• Indulgence: A pardon releasing a person from punishments for a sin
• Protestant: A member of a Christian church founded on the principles of the Reformation
• Peace of Augsburg: A 1555 agreement declaring that the religion of each German state would be decided by its ruler
• Annul: To declare invalid
• Anglican Church: The Church of England
• John Calvin / Predestination: A Protestant reformer who believed that God has predetermined who will be saved
• Catholic Reformation: A 16th-century movement in which the Roman Catholic Church sought to make changes in response to the Protestant Reformation
• Jesuits: Members of the Society of Jesus, a Roman Catholic religious order founded by Ignatius of Loyola
• Ignatius of Loyola: Founder of the Jesuits
• Council of Trent: A meeting of Roman Catholic leaders, called by Pope Paul III to rule on doctrines criticized by the Protestant reformers
• Geocentric Theory: The belief that the earth is the center of the universe
• Heliocentric Theory: The belief that the sun is the center of the universe
• Scientific Method: A logical procedure for gathering information about the natural world, in which experimentation and observation are used to test hypotheses

General Changes Enabling the Renaissance

• General changes are occurring in Europe that help create the conditions for the Renaissance, including increased trade, wealth, and urbanization

Beginning of the Renaissance

• The Renaissance began in Italy due to its strategic location for trade, its wealthy city-states like Florence, and its rich classical heritage

Rebirth in the Renaissance

• A renewed interest in classical art, literature, and learning, specifically from ancient Greece and Rome, is being "reborn" during the Renaissance

Renaissance Art

• Themes and traits of Renaissance artwork include realism, perspective, and an emphasis on human beauty, contrasting with the more symbolic and religious art of the Middle Ages

Medici Family

• The Medici family were powerful bankers and patrons of the arts in Florence and represent the wealth and artistic patronage that fueled the Renaissance

Factors for the Reformation

• Factors that helped create the conditions for the Reformation include the corruption within the Catholic Church, the rise of humanism, and the invention of the printing press

Johann Tetzel

• Johann Tetzel was a Catholic priest who sold indulgences, which angered Martin Luther and led to the Reformation

Luther's Ideas

• Luther’s main ideas differed from the Catholic Church as he believed in salvation through faith alone, the Bible as the ultimate authority, and the priesthood of all believers

Support for Luther

• People supported Luther for various reasons, including religious convictions, political motivations, and social grievances against the Church

Henry VIII

• Henry VIII pulled England away from the Catholic Church because he wanted to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, but the Pope refused to grant it

Elizabeth 1

• Elizabeth I made the Anglican Church acceptable to both Protestants and Catholics by incorporating both Protestant and Catholic elements into its doctrines and practices

Catholic Church

• The Catholic Church responded to the Reformation with the Catholic Reformation (or Counter-Reformation), which aimed to reform the Church and combat the spread of Protestantism

The Jesuits

• Ignatius of Loyola started the Jesuits, and they took actions to strengthen the Catholic Church through education, missionary work, and combating heresy

Connection of Renaissance, Reformation, and Scientific Revolution

• The Renaissance, Reformation, and Scientific Revolution are interconnected as the Renaissance emphasized humanism and critical thinking, which influenced the Reformation's challenge to religious authority, and the Scientific Revolution's emphasis on reason and observation

Pre-Scientific Revolution Knowledge

• Before the Scientific Revolution, most "scientific" knowledge was based on ancient Greek and Roman texts, as well as religious teachings

Shift in Perspective

• People began to look at the world differently at the start of the Scientific Revolution due to the influence of Renaissance humanism, the rediscovery of classical texts, and new observations that challenged old beliefs

Galileo

• Galileo represents the conflicts and tensions that arose as the Scientific Revolution unfolded because his scientific findings contradicted established religious beliefs, leading to condemnation by the Church

Impact of the Printing Press

• The printing press, invented by Johannes Gutenberg, was important during this time period because it allowed for the rapid spread of knowledge and ideas, contributing to the Renaissance, Reformation, and Scientific Revolution

Major Events

• The major events during the Scientific Revolution, Renaissance, Reformation changed and shaped Europe through societal shifts in religion, science, and culture