Renaissance Study Guide

Renaissance Study Guide

• Key Terms:
  • City-states: Independent urban centers with their own governments and economies; examples include Florence, Venice, and Genoa.
  • Nobility: The aristocratic class holding significant social, political, and economic power.
  • Excommunication: Formal expulsion from the Christian Church, resulting in severe social consequences.
  • Expansionism: Policy of territorial and economic growth.
  • Eurocentrism: Focusing on European perspectives to the exclusion of others.
  • Feudalism: A social system where land ownership and obligations are mutually dependent.
  • Freeman/Serf: Different social classes within a feudal society.
  • Heresy: Belief or opinion contrary to established doctrine, often punished severely.
  • Mercantilism: Economic system for maximum profit from trade (exports and minimizing imports).
  • Circumnavigate: To sail completely around the world.
  • Hierarchy: A system of ranks and levels, often observed in the nobility, church, and government.
  • Classical Era: Period relating to the ancient Greeks and Romans, used as a model and inspiration.
  • Imperialism: Control over a territory and its resources. Often includes subjugating people.
  • Manor: Large estates in a feudal system, self-sufficient and controlled by a lord.
  • Merchant: Traders who brought goods and ideas throughout Europe.
  • Humanist: Those who emphasized human potential and achievement, often reviving classical traditions.
  • Indigenous: People native to a specific region.
  • Monastery: A community devoted to monastic or religious practices.
  • Immunity: The body’s ability to fight off infections and disease.
  • Scientific Method: A systematic approach to acquiring knowledge through testing and experimentation.
  • Indulgences: Religious pardons for sins sold by the church. (often criticised).
  • Monarchy: System of government headed by a king or queen.
  • Vernacular: The common language of a region; everyday speech.
  • Clergy: Religious leaders.

The Middle Ages

• Concept: How society was organized in the Middle Ages.
• Significance: Understanding the social structure, including the roles of the nobility, clergy, and common people.
• Concept: Religious Beliefs
• Significance: Examining the influence of the Catholic Church and religious thought on daily life.
• Concept: Factors leading to Change.
• Significance: Considering events/ideas that caused shifts in the medieval society.
• Concept: Peasant Revolts.
• Significance: Studying resistance to oppression and power imbalances.

The Black Death

• Rise of the Middle Class: The Black Death led to labor shortages, and some lower class people gained more power and wages due to the high demand.

The Expansion of Trade

• Exploration: Problems on the Silk Road forced exploration of new sea routes to get trade goods from the East.
• Impact of Muslim Contact: Trade with Muslims was significant to get new luxury goods previously not available. Also cultural exchange happened.
• Goods Traded: Luxury items that were brought from the East.
• Italian City-States: Important trading centers that profited from trade routes.

How Were City-States Impacted?

• Geography: City-State locations influenced trade, defense, and access to resources.
• Climate: Climatic conditions affected agricultural and economic activities.
• Leadership: Political leaders influenced development and trade.
• Social Organization: Social classes affected the flow of power and wealth.
• Banking: banking systems helped develop and maintain trade routes.

Humanism

• Classical Civilizations: Renaissance humanists looked to ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration.
• Contribution to Society: Civic humanism stressed participation and leadership.
• Important of Individualism: Celebrated individual potential and achievement.
• Importance of Learning/Skepticism: Encouraged investigation and questioning established ideas.

Exchange of Ideas

• Scientific Method: Helped develop new ways of understanding the world.
• Key figures: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Galileo,
• Catholic Church: (its influence, role in the exchange of ideas).
• Protestantism: (Reform of the church led to the Protestant Reformation).
• Printing Press: Enhanced knowledge dissemination.
• Specific examples: Using perspective in art, astronomical studies, developments in medicine, advancements in mathematics.

The Age of Exploration

• New Technologies: Improved ships and navigational tools spurred exploration.
• Economic Reasons: Desire for resources and new markets drove exploration.
• Religious Reasons: Spreading religious beliefs was a motivation for exploration.
• Impact of Technology: Exploration had significant impacts on global trade, cultural exchange, and the spread of ideas.

Nationalism & Imperialism

• "Three G's": God, Gold, and Glory (motivations for European expansion).
• Terrible Costs (Indigenous): Dispossession of lands, enslavement , and disease, disruption of traditional societies due to European colonization.
• Humanism's Connection: Humanism helped shape European views about the "uncivilized" world, justifying exploration and expansion.