Unit 1: Renaissance and Exploration

AP European History, Unit 1

Renaissance

A period of cultural and intellectual rebirth that began in Italy in the 14th century and spread throughout Europe until the 17th century.

Humanism

A philosophical movement that emphasized the value and agency of human beings, focusing on education, reason, and the study of classical literature.

Renaissance Art

Characterized by renewed interest in classical forms and realism, utilizing techniques like perspective and chiaroscuro.

Scientific Method

A method emphasizing observation, experimentation, and empirical evidence that revolutionized scientific inquiry.

Printing Press

Invented by Johannes Gutenberg, it allowed for the widespread dissemination of books and ideas, increasing literacy and knowledge.

Italian Renaissance

A cultural and artistic movement that started in Italy in the 14th century, marked by humanism and the revival of classical learning.

Florence

A leading city in the Italian Renaissance known for its art, architecture, and intellectual influence.

Albrecht Dürer

A German artist known for detailed engravings and woodcuts, considered a key figure in the Northern Renaissance.

Martin Luther

A key figure in the Protestant Reformation whose writings criticized the Catholic Church and promoted religious reform.

Columbian Exchange

The exchange of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old World and the New World following Columbus's arrival in 1492.

Triangular Trade

A trade system involving Europe, Africa, and the Americas, where goods, slaves, and raw materials were exchanged.

New Monarchies

The period from 1450 to 1648 characterized by powerful monarchies that centralized authority and established bureaucracies.

Exploration

The Age of Exploration involved European voyages across oceans in pursuit of new trade routes and territories.

Patronage

Support granted by wealthy families, such as the Medici, that facilitated the growth of arts and culture during the Renaissance.

Chiaroscuro

A technique in art that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and depth.

Perspective

An artistic technique used to create the illusion of depth on a flat surface, significantly developed during the Renaissance.

Mercantilism

An economic theory practiced during the Commercial Revolution, focusing on trade, accumulation of wealth, and colonial expansion.

Protestant Reformation

A religious movement in the 16th century that challenged the authority of the Catholic Church and led to the establishment of Protestant churches.

Joint-Stock Companies

Business entities that allowed investors to pool resources and share risks and profits, emerging during the Commercial Revolution.

Cultural Exchange

The mutual sharing of ideas, goods, and technologies that occurred through exploration and colonization.

Vernacular Literature

Literature written in the local language, as opposed to Latin, which flourished during the Renaissance.

Leonardo da Vinci

A prominent artist and polymath of the Renaissance known for masterpieces such as the 'Mona Lisa' and 'The Last Supper'.

Galileo Galilei

A key scientist of the Renaissance whose works laid foundations for modern physics and astronomy.

William Shakespeare

A legendary English playwright and poet of the Renaissance, known for works like 'Hamlet' and 'Romeo and Juliet'.

Dante Alighieri

An Italian poet whose work 'Divine Comedy' is considered a cornerstone of Italian literature.

Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible)

The first Tsar of Russia who centralized power and expanded the territory of the Russian state.

Social Class Structure

The hierarchy that emerged during the Renaissance and Commercial Revolution, characterized by the rise of the middle class.

Exploration Causes

Factors such as trade desires, religious motivations, technological advancements, and competition among nations that prompted exploration.

Niccolò Machiavelli

An Italian diplomat and philosopher known for his political treatise 'The Prince,' which discusses power dynamics and statecraft.

Francesco Petrarch

An Italian poet and humanist considered the father of Renaissance humanism, famous for his sonnets dedicated to Laura.

Giovanni Pico della Mirandola

An Italian Renaissance philosopher known for his work 'Oration on the Dignity of Man,' which emphasizes human potential and free will.

Printing Press (Additional Info)

The printing press allowed for the mass production of texts, which contributed to the spread of literature, ideas, and the Reformation.

Medici Family

A powerful banking family in Florence that was a major patron of the arts, helping to finance many prominent Renaissance artists.

Characteristics of Renaissance Art

1. Vivid bright colors, 2. Perspective, 3. Balance, 4. Classical themes.

Prince Henry the Navigator

A Portuguese prince who sponsored explorations along the African coast and the development of new navigational techniques.

Amerigo Vespucci

An Italian explorer and cartographer whose voyages to the Americas led to the realization that the New World was separate from Asia.

Renaissance Architecture

Characterized by symmetry, proportion, and geometry, inspired by Classical Roman and Greek architectural principles.

Sfumato

A painting technique that creates a soft transition between colors and tones, exemplified in the works of Leonardo da Vinci.

Baroque Art

A style of art that followed the Renaissance, characterized by dramatic use of light and shadow, intense emotion, and grandeur.

Elizabethean Era

The period of English history during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, known for its contributions to literature and the arts, particularly the works of Shakespeare.