History Form 2 Term 1 Notes PDF

The Renaissance Timeline Background 1. The Renaissance took place from the 1300s to 1500s (border of Medieval to Modern). 2. Meaning of renaissance: a. Literally: “rebirth” in French b. Period of transition from the Middle Ages to Modern Times 3. Started in Florence...

The Renaissance Timeline Background 1. The Renaissance took place from the 1300s to 1500s (border of Medieval to Modern). 2. Meaning of renaissance: a. Literally: “rebirth” in French b. Period of transition from the Middle Ages to Modern Times 3. Started in Florence (Italian city-state) and spread to the rest of Europe 4. Greco-Roman civilization and learning was reborn Before Renaissance After Renaissance People were most interested in: People were most interested in: - Agriculture - Science - Feudalism - protecting their lord - Arts and humanities - Architecture - Religion Learning and science were not prevalent - People were willing to challenge the - Opposition to Church would be Church accused of holding heresy - Disproved what the Church preaches Reasons for the Renaissance 1. The Decline of church Early Middle Ages Late Middle Ages People were faithful Christians, religious, Churchmen were corrupted and obedient - Started doubting church -> Church was powerful politically, - Did not follow everything church said economically and culturally - Thought of better ways of worshipping God – Ideas brought from the Muslim Arabs -> Better knowledge about the world  -> Realised the Church was not always right Church teaching dominated Universities were set up - Emphasised religion - People started studying other subjects - All teaching was in Latin 1. Education and knowledge was spread - Language of the Church 2. Better critical and individual thinking 3. Started doubting the Church Resolution: - Power of the Church was weakened 2. Decline of feudalism a. Medieval towns becoming rich i. Trade between Europe and Asia grew 1. Merchants became rich ii. Bought their freedom and formed own government b. Peasants leaving manors for towns i. Allowed them to look for paid jobs ii. Nobles lost control over vassals iii. Power of nobility declined c. Black death i. Killed ⅓ of European population (People and animals) 1. Nobles lost manpower (Serfs were owned as property by nobles) 2. Needed to employ paid freemen to work in fields ii. Further weakened the power of nobles d. Impact: i. Life and way of thinking was liberated ii. Started questioning old beliefs iii. Developed new life goals 3. Invention of printing press Johannes Gutenburg (German craftsman) invented the “movable metal type printing press” - Books were produced by printing (X writing manuscripts by hand or wooden block printing) - Advantages: - Books were cheap, quick to produce and more accurate - More people could afford them - Ideas could spread quickly and more efficiently - This meant more new ideas and better education Summary of causes of renaissance  1. Fall of Constantinople (1453) - Scholars (Eastern Roman Empire) brought classical greek and roman writing - Italian city states had Roman remains → Interest in classical learning 2. Decline of Church and feudalism & Invention of printing press → Spread of knowledge → Encourage independent thinking & creativity 3. Italian city states became rich from increased trading → Rich merchants patronised work of others Humanism 1. Characterised by: a. Revived interest in the classical world b. Studies that focused not on religion but on what it is to be human 2. Emphasised: a. Human beings had i. Values, abilities, creativity, freedom ii. Human beings were important 3. Contrasted with pre-Renaissance beliefs below: Summary of Changes - Better knowledge of world (Scientific discoveries, printing press, East) - People refused to accept teachings blindly - Way of thinking liberated - Question old beliefs - Encouraging independent thinking & creativity - People were capably of achievements and creativity - People eager to search for truth - Increased trade - Interest in outside world - Try ot improve life on earth Topic People in Middle Ages People in Renaissance Man Sinners were insignificant People were capable of achievements and - Original sin as in Bible creativity God Thoughts were all religions Had freedom in thinking - Accepted what they were told - Encouraged independent, critical by Church and scientific thinking - Eager to search for truth Life Led a hard life Grew rich through increased trade - Knew they could not improve - Believed they should try improving  life of earth life - Only hope was going to - Began taking greater interest in heaven outside world - Life experience was very - Eager to explore limited Secular life Developments and Reflections Art: Aspects to Medieval paintings Renaissance paintings compare Colours used Golden/darker, dimmer colours Diverse and warm colours Themes Mostly religion-themed Religion/ daily life/ greco-roman myths Backgrounds Little/ plain gold Natural landscapes, etc Techniques None to note Perspective (distance and depth) Light and shade Human figures Rigid and flat depictions Lively and realistic people Famous works Diptych of the Virgin and Child Enthroned Mona Lisa and the Crucifiction Spirit of Renaissance: 1. Theme: - Different aspects of life were depicted but not just about religion - They became more human-centred - Humans were their focus rather than just God 2. Skill: - Renaissance paintings show the use of a high level of techniques - Demonstrated the ability and creativity of humans 3. Style: - Renaissance paintings were livelier and more realistic - Showed interests in the real world and everything about human life Architecture: Medieval architecture Renaissance architecture Pointed spires Large round dome Long and narrow windows Tall columns Main features Pointed arches Pediments Vaulted roofs Round arches Stained glass Stained glass  Style Gothic Greco-Roman / Classical Mostly churches/ cathedrals Different kinds, e.g. churches, residences Types of Some castles (big mansions and palaces), government buildings buildings, museums, libraries, squares, etc. Notre Dame of Paris, France St. Peter’s Cathedral and St. Peter’s Square, Vatican Florence Cathedral, Italy Examples Laurentian Library of the Medici family, Florence Palazzo (Palace) Medici-Riccardi, Florence Spirit of Renaissance: 1. Function: - Magnificent architecture applied to daily usages - Not only cathedrals and churches or nobles’ residences (castles) - Showed people’s interest in their life on earth and attempts to improve it - Not just care about eternal life in heaven (being more human-centred) 2. Skills: - Magnificent buildings required high techniques - Showed ability to make achievements 3. Style: - Revival of the Greco-Roman style but with new elements - Showed their interest in human past - Desire to create something new - Interest in the world they lived in, as well as their ability and creativity Literature: Writer Most famous work(s) Content and Message (in brief) William Romeo and Juliet Injustice of society; Shakespeare Hamlet Depiction of human nature and weaknesses (English) The Merchant of Venice About the writer’s journey to the hell and the heaven Dante The Divine Comedy - Criticized the Church that even the clergy and the (Italian) Popes were sinful About a nobleman in search of his own chivalrous Cervantes Don Quixote adventure (Spanish) - Exploring ideas related to materialistic comfort and ideals (spiritual values), life and death, free will and fate, etc. Spirit of Renaissance: 1. Theme: - Everyday life as subject matter of the writings, not just about religion - Showed their interest in their life on earth but not just eternal life in heaven - Works reflected human values and emotions - Showed that human was their focus (more human-centred) - Works criticised injustice in society and even challenged the Church - Showed critical and independent thinking of humans 2. Language: - Use of vernacular languages allowed more people to express freely - Able to read rather than using Latin that most people did not know - Showed that humans were their focus Science: Scientist & Area of Study Discovery Church Copernicus - Astronomy The Earth is flat and The Earth is round and goes is the centre of the around the sun universe Bruno - Astronomy Improved the telescope The Earth is flat and Proved ideas of Copernicus were is the centre of the correct universe Galileo - Astronomy & Physics Sun as the centre of the universe, the universe had no end Earth as the centre Objects fall at the same speed regardless of their weight. Vesalius – Anatomy & Biology Studied the structure of the People would need human body and how different their whole bodies in parts work their life in heaven. William Harvey - Biology Blood flowed into the heart, like a N/A pump Spirit of Renaissance 1. Scientific discoveries: - Renaissance scientists proved that the old teachings were wrong - Made a lot of new discoveries - Showed human ability 2. Attitude towards the Church’s teaching: - Renaissance scientists challenged and questioned the old beliefs of the Church - Did not just believe in what the Church said - Showed critical and independent thinking  3. Way of thinking: - Scientific way of thinking stressed rational and critical thinking - Explore and prove the truth by doing experiments - Showed interest in the world and eagerness to find out truth using their ability and creativity Impact of Renaissance Reformation of the Church: The Split of the Roman Church and the Creation of the Protestant Church Martin Luther (Member of the clergy at the time) did not blindly believe in the Church - Against the Church’s practices like the selling of indulgences - Suggested the reformation of the Church. - Nailed 95 theses to the door of a church (his thoughts and letters of complaint) - Used printing press - Spread of his thoughts and translations of the Bible CL assessment notes:  - 1a) For life on earth, Petrarch’s thoughts were more human-centered as he believed that humans should focus on the earthly life and enjoy time on earth. According to Source A, Petrarch said that,’mortal men should first care about secular things; and that to eternity should follow later.’ This reflects a break from the medieval period as people in the medieval period were more God-centered and they focused on the afterlife. Men rarely enjoyed life. But people in the renaissance developed interest in the outside world/ secular things rather than only focusing on secular things. - For his thoughts on man, Petrarch believed that humans were capable of achievements and creativity. From Source A, Petrarch said that ‘I will pull myself together and collect my intelligence, and make a great effort to possess my soul.’ This represents a break from the medieval period as humans began to realize their ability. In the medieval period, men were God-centered and did not believe that they could achieve anything, because they believed that they were sinners. But in the renaissance period, humans became human-centered and made developments in different areas such as science and music, demonstrating their ability. - b) Pay attention to life on earth: in terms of the theme of literature, it focused on human life on earth rather than afterlife by looking at human relationships and emotion, e.g. “Romeo and Juliet” was a love story that shows different human emotions such as love and hatred, showing capability of man: in terms of style, the renaissance writers developed a new writing style in poetry and plays. E.g. Shakespeare invented new words in his native language English. f The French Revolution & Napoleon Definition of Political Revolution - Struggle for radical of complete change - Overthrow old system and set up new - Can also be applied to political, economic or social Main Criticism against Government 1. Autocratic government - absolute monarchy - People have no say in politics and legislative 2. Social inequality - Economic suffering → no rights and freedom 3. Corrupt and inefficient government Causes of French Revolution 1. Influence - Before Revolution - Most of Europe was ruled by absolute monarchs (who believed in the Divine Rights of Kings)  - Main Enlightenment ideas - Basic human rights - Equality before law and rule of law - Popular sovereignty - Rule with consent of people - Leads to: - People would take up arms against tyranny - Believe in their right to revolt - Influence of American Revolution on French Revolution - Success in their own revolution - Showed common people could overthrow a tyranny - Set up democratic government - Financial support from the Americans 2. Problems of the French Government - Political - Louis XVI was not interested in politics - Ministers made all decisions - Inefficient and corrupt - Financial 1. Louis XIV - Participation in foreign wars - Heavy Military Expenditure 2. Louris XVI - Luxurious life of the Queen (Marie Antoinette) & court - Needed money for entertainment - Corrupt government - Government went Bankrupt - New taxes e.g. Land tax - Social 1. Serious inflation and unemployment 2. Poor harvest and starvation - Failed to address the social issues faced by the people - Results - Unpopular among people - Revolution to overthrow 3. Social Inequality Events leading to the French Revolution 1. Meeting of the Estates-General - A meeting of the three estates of pre-revolutionary France: clergy, nobility, and commons - French parliament to discuss financial or political matters - Had not been called for over 170 years - Motion: nobles and clergy should pay taxes to the government - One-estate-one-vote → 2 votes to 1, the motion was defeated - Third estate thought the 1-estate-1-vote system was unfair - First and second estate would always vote against the third estate - Ending: The third estate broke from royal authority and formed a National Assembly (generally considered the start of the French Revolution) 2. Tennis Court Oath - Called as such since it was sworn in a tennis court - The Third Estate set up the National Assembly (as mentioned above), to: - Protect people’s rights; and - Represent the people - The oath was to make a constitution that: - Limits the power of the ruler - Ensures the basic rights of people - Significance - Shows determination of people to have a constitutional government - No absolute monarchy 3. Storming of the Bastille - Bastille was symbol of tyranny  - Political prisoners were kept there - Parisians heard Louis XVI planned to send in troops to dissolve National assembly - Searched for weapons in town and marched on to the Bastille - Fall of Bastille marked outbreak of French Revolution - 14th of July (National Day of France) Initial developments of the French Revolution - The National Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man (1789) - Major Enlightenment ideas - Basic Human rights - Equality before law + rule of law - Popular sovereignity - Adoption of the tricolor flag of blue, white and red - Blue = Liberty - White = Equality - Red = Fraternity - Important events during Revolution Napolean Era 1. Reasons of power - Internal Causes - The Directory was corrupt, inefficient & incapable -> failed to solve the problems the people faced [social-economic problem] - The French people were tired of the chaos. They longed for a strong leader who could bring law and order to the country - External causes - Defeated the First Coalition - Brought glory to France and regarded as a national hero - The First Italian Campaign - Success in invading Italy and defeated the Austrian forces - Influential in French politics - The Egyptian expedition - The directory sent an expedition to Egypt - Undermine Britain’s trade interests in India - France won all land battles but the British Army defeated the Navy - Retreated after starvation and diseases spread through Navy 2. Achievements of Napoleon - A Huge Empire was established - French territories were larger than before - Spain, Italian and German States became dependent states of France - Kingdom of Italy and Confederation of the Rhine - Other European countries except Britain, Portugal & Sweden became French allies - Fear of Napoleon - Built a huge empire - Became the Master of Europe after defeating the Third and Fourth Coalitions - Dissolved the Holy Roman Empire - Turned into many German dependent states - Napoleon didn’t attack Britain - English Channel was separating France and Britain - Chance of winning the war was slim - Britain had a powerful navy - Napoleon was defeated in all sea battles against Britain - Britain had a strong economy and production of food was self-sufficient - Made the Continental System in 1806 to weaken Britain - British Isles are to be blocked - Goods imported and exported from Britain will be seized - No fear of starvation in Britain - Harmed economy of Europe - Reforms - Fair tax system - Fair chances for everyone to be recruited in the government and the army. - Free trade, industry, agriculture and education was promoted - Improved transportation from roads, bridges and canals - Inroduced the Napoleonic Code (Code Napoleon)  - Protect personal property - Abolish class divisions and feudal privileges - Give everyone the freedom to choose their religion and job - Benefits: - Fair tax system -> Improve economic status - Fair chances -> Improve social status & government - Napoleonic code -> Equal laws protecting rights - Promotion & transportation -> Improving the economy - Overall - Provided more protection and rights & improved their living standard positive economic, social and political impacts on people - Favorable to the rule of Napoleon (more popular) 3. Downfall of Napoleon - Peninsular War - Cause: Spanish people revolted - Napolean punished Portugal for acting against the Continental System - Result: Napolean was defeated - Reasons for defeat: Britain helped Spain and Portugal with its Royal Navy - The Russian Campaign - Cause: Napoleon punished Russia for trading with Britain - Result: Napoleon was forced to retreat - France faced heavy casualties (killed/injured) - Soldiers died of the cold, hunger & Russia’s attacks on the way home - Reasons for defeat: Napoleon took Moscow, but the Russians had previously employed scorched-earth policy, burning down the whole city, leaving no food supply for the French army - The Battle of Nations - Cause: European countries joined together in the 6th coalition to fight against Franch - Results: Napoleon was defeated and forced to give up his throne - Exiled to the Island of Elba - Louis XVIII (brother of Louis XVI) was restored - Battle of Waterloo - Cause: Napoleon escaped back to France and ruled for one hundred days - European rules in the Congress of Vienna formed 7th coalition to fight him - Results: Britain & Persian armies defeated Napolean - Exiled to Island of St Helena - Died 6 years later Significance - Nationalism - Meaning - People of same race culture & religion should be unified & politically independent - Should be loyal to nation & not the king, whom they have the right to overthrow - Significance - Encouraged independence & unification movements in 19th century - Example - Greece & Belgium gained independence - Italy & Germany were formed by unifying - Liberalism - Meaning - Ideas of liberty and equality - Significance - People asked for liberal constitution & political rights - Encouraged outbreak of revolutions against government - Eg. Austria, France & Spain etc.