Untitled Flashcards Set

Isabella of Castile

Queen of Castile and León, known for uniting Spain and sponsoring Columbus' voyage.

Ferdinand of Aragon

King of Aragon and husband of Isabella of Castile; ruled Spain.

Reconquista

Period of history marked by the retaking of the Iberian Peninsula by Christian states.

Christopher Columbus

Explorer sponsored by Isabella and Ferdinand, completed the first European contact with the Americas.

Hernán Cortés

Spanish conquistador known for leading the expedition that resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire.

Moctezuma II

Emperor of the Aztec Empire at the time of Cortés' arrival.

Humanism

Intellectual movement during the Renaissance focused on classical antiquity and human potential.

Petrarch

Italian poet and scholar considered the 'father of humanism'.

Christian Humanism

Branch of humanism blending humanist ideals with Christian beliefs.

Council of Constance

A council that ended the Great Schism of the Catholic Church.

Martin Luther

German monk whose actions sparked the Protestant Reformation.

Indulgences

Certificates granted by the Catholic Church reducing time in purgatory; heavily criticized by Luther.

Calvinism

Branch of Protestantism founded by John Calvin emphasizing predestination.

Peace of Augsburg

Treaty recognizing Lutheranism as a legitimate faith in the Holy Roman Empire.

Machiavelli

Italian political theorist; author of 'The Prince' advocating pragmatic governance.

Church of England

Protestant church established by Henry VIII after his break from the Catholic Church.

St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre

1572 massacre of thousands of Huguenots in France, deepening religious conflict.

Flagellants

Religious groups during the Black Death who whipped themselves as penance for sins.

Donation of Constantine

Forged document claiming Emperor Constantine gave power to the Pope; exposed as a fraud by Lorenzo Valla.

Suleiman the Magnificent

Ottoman Sultan known for territorial expansion and significant legal reforms.

Leonardo da Vinci

Renaissance artist and polymath known for works like the 'Mona Lisa' and 'The Last Supper'.

Niccolò Machiavelli's 'The Prince'

A political treatise advising rulers to maintain power by any means necessary.

Elizabeth I

Queen of England who solidified Anglicanism and established Protestantism in England.

Thirty Years' War

Massive European conflict from 1618-1648, originally rooted in religious disputes.

University of Prague

Site of John Hus's teachings and reform movements in Bohemia.

Council of Trent

Council held to address doctrinal issues and reform the Catholic Church in response to Protestantism.

Inquisition

Institution to root out heresy and enforce religious orthodoxy within the Catholic Church.

Huguenots

French Protestants who faced persecution, notably during the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre.

Timar system

Land grant system in the Ottoman Empire rewarding military service.

Millet system

Ottoman system allowing various religious communities autonomy under their own laws.

El Escorial

A historical residence of the King of Spain and a symbol of the Spanish Renaissance.

Spanish Inquisition

System instituted to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in Spain, persecuting heretics.

Giovanni Boccaccio

Italian writer known for 'The Decameron', exploring human behavior during the Black Death.

Lollards

Followers of John Wycliffe advocating for church reform and scripture in the vernacular.

Black Death

Pandemic that devastated Europe in the 14th century, leading to societal changes.

Italian Wars

Conflicts in Italy from 1494 driven by the ambitions of foreign powers.

Florence

Key city-state during the Renaissance known for its rich culture and as a center of art.

Timar system

Land grant system used in the Ottoman Empire to reward military service.

Renaissance

Cultural movement marking the revival of art, literature, and learning in Europe.

Fortification designs

Innovative military architectural plans sketched by Leonardo da Vinci.

Janissaries

Elite infantry units in the Ottoman Empire composed mainly of Christian converts.

Society of Jesus

Religious order founded by Ignatius of Loyola focused on education and missionary work.

Spanish Armada

Fleet sent by Spain in 1588 against England, ultimately defeated.

Renaissance art

Art movement characterized by a focus on realism, perspective, and human emotion.

Sistine Chapel ceiling

Famous fresco painted by Michelangelo, illustrating Biblical scenes.

Desiderius Erasmus

Dutch humanist who advocated for educational reform and was a key figure in Christian Humanism.

Alfonso de Albuquerque

Portuguese general noted for his military expertise and early role in India's conquest.

Trade routes

Paths used for the exchange of goods between regions; dominated by Portuguese exploration.

Ottoman Empire

A major Islamic state founded by Osman I, lasting from the late 13th century until 1922.

Timurids

Turko-Mongol rulers in Central Asia who influenced the formation of the Mughal Empire.

Edict of Nantes

1598 decree granting religious freedom to Huguenots in France, ending civil strife.

Palazzo Medici-Riccardi

Palace in Florence representing the wealth and influence of the Medici family.

Treaty of Verdun

843 agreement that divided Carolingian Empire into three kingdoms.

Political Machiavellianism

Political philosophy advocating for manipulation and pragmatism in governance.

Leonardo's inventions

Innovative designs and machines conceptualized by Leonardo da Vinci, many ahead of his time.

Renaissance humanists

Thinkers advocating for a revival of classical learning and values, focusing on human potential.

Spanish Colonial Empire

Combination of territories ruled by Spain from the late 15th century to the early 19th century.

Humanities

Academic disciplines focused on human culture, including literature, philosophy, and history.

Counter-Reformation

Catholic Church's response to the Protestant Reformation, which sought to reform Church practices.

Protestant Reformation

Religious movement in the 16th century that led to the establishment of Protestant churches.

Theologians

Scholars of religious doctrine focusing on the study of God and religious beliefs.

Florentine Codex

Comprehensive 16th-century account of Aztec civilization, combining Nahuatl and Spanish culture.

Niccolò Machiavelli's political philosophy

Focus on realpolitik and the necessity of effective, often ruthless governance.

Renaissance patronage

Support provided by wealthy patrons to artists and intellectuals during the Renaissance.

Italian city-states

Independent regions in Italy that played critical roles in politics and culture during the Renaissance.

Baroque art

Artistic style characterized by extravagant detail and motion; emerged after the Renaissance.

Thomas More

English lawyer and author of 'Utopia', famous for his critical views on society and governance.

Michelangelo's David

Famous Renaissance sculpture representing human beauty and emotional intensity.

Assassination attempts during the French Wars of Religion

Frequent events that intensified sectarian violence between Catholics and Huguenots.

Spanish Golden Age

Period of flourishing arts and literature in Spain from the late 15th to early 17th century.

Catherine de' Medici

Powerful French queen whose political maneuvers influenced the French Wars of Religion.

Religious Reformation

A series of events in the 16th century leading to the establishment of Protestant denominations.

Catherine of Aragon

First wife of Henry VIII, whose marriage annulment led to the English Reformation.

Emperor Charles V

Holy Roman Emperor during the Reformation known for opposing Martin Luther.

French Wars of Religion

Conflicts resulting from tensions between Catholics and Protestant Huguenots in France.

Italian Renaissance

Cultural and artistic revival in Italy between the 14th and 17th centuries.

Estates-General

Legislative assembly in France representing the three estates of the realm.

The Virgin of Guadalupe

Significant religious icon representing Mary, important in Mexican Catholicism.

Noble families in Renaissance Italy

Wealthy lineages like the Medici who influenced politics, art, and culture.

Lutheranism

Branch of Christianity formed from Martin Luther's teachings and reforms.

Defenestration of Prague

1618 event marking the start of the Thirty Years' War, highlighting religious tensions.

Universities in Renaissance Europe

Institutions that evolved and expanded, fostering new ideas and education during the Renaissance.

The Edict of Nantes

A 1598 decree granting religious tolerance to Huguenots in France.

Dante Alighieri

Italian poet known for 'The Divine Comedy', a significant work in world literature.

Voltaire

French Enlightenment writer known for his advocacy of civil liberties and criticism of the Church.

Natural rights

Political theory emphasizing inherent rights to life, liberty, and property.

Colonialism

Practice of acquiring and exploiting territories for economic benefit.

Renaissance architecture

Architectural style emphasizing symmetry, proportion, and geometry derived from classical antiquity.

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself and make decisions independently.

Civic humanism

The idea that individuals have a responsibility to engage in public life and contribute to society.

Secularism

The principle of separating religion from political and social institutions.

Galileo Galilei

Italian astronomer and scientist known for his contributions to modern astronomy and physics.

Machiavellian politics

Approach to governance emphasizing pragmatic and often ruthless tactics.

Geocentric model

The astronomical theory that places Earth at the center of the universe.

Copernicus

Astronomer who proposed the heliocentric model of the universe.

Renaissance literature

Literary works characterized by a focus on humanism and classical themes.

Historical revisionism

Reinterpretation of historical events or narratives often based on new evidence or perspectives.

Feminism during the Renaissance

Emerging movement advocating for women's rights and gender equality.

Religious tolerance

Acceptance of different religious beliefs and practices within a society.

Reformed Church

Christian denomination stemming from the Protestant Reformation, particularly Calvinism.