Social Chapter 8 & 2-3

Social Chapter 8 & 2-3

• Key People:

  • Marco Polo: Venetian merchant who traveled from Europe to Asia.
  • Medici Family: Powerful Florentine traders (13th-17th centuries). Known for their wealth, patronage of the arts, and development of banking.
  • Petrarch: Dutch humanist who considered classical times superior to the medieval period.
  • Erasmus: Northern Renaissance scholar.
  • Michelangelo: Famous Italian Renaissance artist, commissioned by the Medici.
  • Leonardo da Vinci: Italian Renaissance artist and inventor, in competition with Michelangelo for commissions.

• Key Terms:

  • Silk Road: Network of trade routes connecting the Mediterranean to the Pacific. Facilitated the exchange of ideas, philosophy, music, and worldviews.
  • Crusades: Series of religious wars between Christian and Muslim forces in the Middle East.
  • City-States: Politically independent cities and surrounding areas in Europe. Shared characteristics with countries currently.
  • Republic: A country where power is held by the people, who elect their officials. Venice and other Italian countries were examples.
  • Patron of the Arts: Sponsors of artistic projects and artists.
  • Doge: Highest official in the Venetian Republic, a representative of the state
  • Scuoles: Social institutions in Venice, serving religious functions (prayer, collections for the sick and dying.)

• Other Important Points:

  • The Medici Family, and other influential families, commissioned many works of art during the Renaissance.
  • The Renaissance saw a renewed interest in classical knowledge and learning from the Roman and Greek civilizations.
  • City-States were often politically independent and powerful in Europe.
  • In Venice, the Doge was the highest official, holding a position comparable to a head of state.
  • Religion played an active role in the social and political life of the time. Associations such as Scuoles in Venice were actively involved in social issues of the day.

Explore key figures and concepts from Social Studies Chapter 8 and sections 2-3. This quiz covers the impact of the Silk Road, the significance of the Renaissance, and notable individuals such as Marco Polo and Michelangelo. Test your knowledge on the connections between trade, culture, and history.