Unit 1 - Renaissance and Exploration (AP Euro)

Italian Renaissance

a. Movement b. Italy c. It revived interest in classical Greek and Roman culture. Artists and thinkers produced major advances in art, science, and literature. This movement marked the transition from the Middle Ages to the modern world.

Petrarch

a. Scholar b. Italy c. He promoted the study of classical texts and ancient authors. His work emphasized human potential and achievement. He is considered the father of humanism and helped spark the Renaissance with his poems to Laura.

Humanism

a. Philosophy b. Europe c. It focused on human potential, education, and classical learning. It encouraged studying subjects like history, literature, and philosophy. It shifted European thinking away from purely religious concerns.

Civic Humanism

a. Philosophy b. Italy c. This philosophy encouraged educated citizens to participate in government. It linked knowledge with public service and responsibility. It influenced political thought in Renaissance city-states.

Individualism

a. Belief b. Europe c. It emphasized the importance and uniqueness of each person. Individuals were encouraged to achieve personal success and fame. This idea influenced Renaissance art, literature, and exploration.

Secularism

a. Belief b. Europe c. It focused on worldly topics rather than religious matters. Scholars explored science, politics, and history more freely. This broadened knowledge and intellectual development.

Pico della Mirandola

a. Philosopher b. Italy c. He wrote Orations on the Dignity of Man and asserted that humans were at the center of divine creation because of their unique gift of free will. His writings celebrated human dignity and ability. His ideas became central to Renaissance humanism.

Naturalism

a. Style b. Europe c. It aimed to depict people and nature realistically. Artists studied anatomy, light, and perspective. This made Renaissance art more lifelike and detailed.

Patronage

a. System b. Italy c. Wealthy individuals, like the Medici family, funded artists and scholars. This financial support allowed creativity and innovation to flourish. It helped produce many famous works of the Renaissance.

Medici Family

a. Family b. Florence c. They were powerful bankers who influenced politics and culture. They supported artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. Their patronage made Florence a center of Renaissance activity.

The School of Athens

a. Painting b. Vatican c. This painting by Raphael depicts famous philosophers like Plato and Aristotle. It reflects the importance of classical knowledge and humanism. It is one of the most famous artworks of the Renaissance.

Niccolo Machiavelli

a. Philosopher b. Italy c. He studied politics from a realistic perspective. He wrote The Prince and argued that "the end justifies the means." His ideas influenced modern political thought.

The Prince

a. Book b. Italy c. This book, written by Niccolo Machiavelli, advised rulers on how to gain and maintain power. It argued that leaders may need to act immorally. It challenged traditional ideas about ethics in leadership.

Baldassare Castiglione

a. Writer b. Italy c. This author of The Courtier described the ideal behavior of nobles. His ideas emphasized education, manners, and grace. He influenced courtly life across Europe.

The Courtier

a. Book b. Italy c. This book by Baldassare Castiglione outlined the qualities of a perfect courtier. It stressed intelligence, charm, and skill. It became a guide for noble behavior.

Northern Renaissance

a. Movement b. Europe c. This movement spread Renaissance ideas beyond Italy. It placed greater emphasis on religion and reform. It helped inspire changes in Christianity.

Christian Humanism

a. Movement b. Europe c. This movement combined humanist learning with Christian values. It encouraged reform of the Church and society. It placed an emphasis on individuals and everyday life appropriate objects of artistic representation.

Erasmus

a. Scholar b. Netherlands c. He was a leading Christian humanist and criticized corruption within the Catholic Church. He promoted education and moral reform. His ideas helped inspire the Reformation.

Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain

a. Rulers b. Spain c. They unified Spain under one monarchy. They strengthened royal authority and supported exploration. They also enforced religious unity through policies like the Inquisition.

"new monarchs"

a. Rulers b. Europe c. Aided by the new military invention of the cannon, as well as professional soldiers and armies, these rulers centralized power and reduced the influence of nobles. They created stronger, more unified nations. Their rule helped form modern states.

Antisemitism

a. Prejudice b. Europe c. It led to discrimination and violence against Jewish communities. Under the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella, Jews were expelled or forced to convert. It created long-lasting social tensions.

Black Death

a. Disease b. Europe c. It killed a large portion of the population. Labor shortages changed the economy and weakened feudalism. It caused major social and economic shifts.

Spanish Inquisition

a. Tribunal or court b. Spain c. Led by Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, this tribunal aimed to enforce Catholic unity. It investigated and punished suspected heretics. It created fear and strengthened royal control.

Conversos

a. Group b. Spain c. They were Jews who converted to Christianity. Many were still suspected of secretly practicing Judaism. They faced discrimination and persecution.

Treaty of Tordesillas

a. Treaty b. Tordesillas, Spain c. It divided newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal. It reduced conflict between the two nations. It shaped colonization in the Americas.

Henry the Navigator

a. Prince b. Portugal c. He supported exploration along the African coast. He funded voyages and navigation schools. His efforts helped begin the Age of Exploration.

The Spanish Empire

a. Empire b. Americas c. It controlled vast territories across the world. It gained wealth from resources like silver and gold. It spread Spanish culture and influence globally.

Christopher Columbus

a. Explorer b. Atlantic c. He reached the Americas in 1492 while sailing for Spain. His voyage connected Europe and the New World. It began a period of exploration and colonization.

Aztec Empire

a. Empire b. Mexico c. It was a powerful civilization with advanced cities and agriculture. It had a strong capital at Tenochtitlán. It was conquered by the Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes, leading to major cultural changes.

Inca Empire

a. Empire b. The Andes of South America c. It controlled a large and organized territory in South America. It built roads and infrastructure across mountains. It was conquered by the Spanish, ending its rule.

The Columbian Exchange

a. Exchange b. Atlantic c. It transferred crops, animals, people, and diseases between continents. It introduced new foods like potatoes and corn to Europe. It also spread deadly diseases to Native Americans.

Smallpox

a. Disease b. Americas c. It was a deadly disease brought by Europeans. Native Americans had no immunity to it. It killed large populations and aided European conquest.

Atlantic slave trade

a. Trade b. Atlantic c. It forcibly transported millions of Africans to the Americas. Enslaved people were used for labor on plantations. It had long-lasting economic, social, and cultural impacts.