Renaissance and Early Modern History Exam Review

Practice flashcards covering key concepts and figures from the Renaissance to the English Civil War.

What did Petrarch contribute to the Renaissance?

Considered the father of Humanism and promoted the study of classical texts.

Who wrote 'The Prince'?

Niccolò Machiavelli.

What invention is Johan Gutenberg known for?

The printing press.

What was the Treason Act related to Henry VIII?

It made it illegal not to recognize the Church of England as the official state church.

Define 'New Monarch' in the context of the Renaissance.

A monarch that consolidated power to themselves, taking power from nobles and the church.

What was the Act of Uniformity established by Elizabeth I?

It required English subjects to attend church services weekly or pay a fine.

What is bureaucracy?

A group of officials that ensure the king's rules are followed throughout his kingdom.

Who were Ferdinand and Isabella?

The monarchs of Spain known for unifying Spain and sponsoring Columbus.

What was the Peace of Augsburg?

The 1555 agreement that allowed rulers to choose the religion of their own state.

What economic system is characterized by a favorable balance of trade?

Mercantilism.

What does the term 'Divine Right' refer to?

The belief that God granted kings their power.

What were the primary motivations behind the Age of Exploration?

Gold, God, and Glory.

What significant contribution to exploration did Vasco da Gama make?

He was the first to reach India by sea, sailing around Africa's southern tip.

What was the significance of the Treaty of Tordesillas?

It divided the newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal.

Describe the exchange from the New World to the Old World.

Products included potatoes, gold, silver, maize, tomatoes, tobacco, and chocolate.

What were the effects of European contact on the Americas?

Devastating population decline, with up to 90% of indigenous peoples dying.

What was the impact of the slave trade on Africa?

Increased slave trade due to European diseases not affecting Africans as severely.

Who was the 'father of mercantilism'?

Jean Baptiste Colbert.

What does the term 'indulgences' refer to?

The selling of forgiveness for sins, common in the Catholic Church before the Reformation.

Who initiated the Protestant Reformation with the 95 Theses?

Martin Luther.

What was the outcome of the Peace of Westphalia?

It marked the end of religious wars in Europe and recognized Calvinism.

Who was Oliver Cromwell?

A military leader who led Parliament to victory in the English Civil War and ruled England as a dictator.

What did the English Bill of Rights establish?

It limited the powers of the monarchy and outlined the rights of Parliament.

What was the significance of the Agricultural Revolution?

It introduced new farming techniques and crop rotation, leading to increased agricultural productivity.

What was the Dutch East India Company?

A joint-stock company created to oversee trade ventures in the Indian Ocean.

What characterized the Dutch Golden Age?

A period of prosperity with a focus on shipbuilding and religious toleration.

What caused the Partition of Poland?

Poland's weakness and vulnerability led powerful states to divide its territory among themselves.

What is absolutism?

A political system in which a single ruler holds ultimate authority.

Who was an example of an absolute monarch that revoked the Edict of Nantes?

Louis XIV.

How did Peter the Great influence Russia?

He westernized Russia and made widespread reforms including requiring nobles to shave their beards.