Renaissance and Age of Discovery Overview

Renaissance

a period of European history, lasting from about 1300 to 1600, during which renewed interest in classical culture led to far-reaching changes in art, learning, and views of the world

Humanism

a Renaissance intellectual movement in which thinkers studied classical texts and focused on human potential and achievements

Secular

concerned with worldly rather than spiritual matters

Patron

a person who supports artists, especially financially

Perspective

a painting technique that was a way of showing 3 dimensions on a flat surface

Michelangelo

an Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, and architect whose most famous paintings are the frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel

Leonardo da Vinci

an Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, inventor, and scientist whose masterpieces include the Mona Lisa

Utopia

an imaginary land described by Thomas More in his book Utopia- hence, an ideal place

William Shakespeare

the most famous writer of the Elizabethan Age, many people call him the greatest playwriter of all time

Johann Gutenberg

a craftsman who developed a printing press that incorporated several technologies in a new way

Machiavelli's political advice

differed from traditional views by prioritizing pragmatism and realism over moralistic ideals, arguing that rulers must be effective, even if it means acting against morality, to maintain power and ensure stability

Renaissance art

fueled by humanism, emphasized human potential and individual achievement, shifting from purely religious themes to include portraits, classical subjects, and realistic depictions of the human form

Rebirth

Revival of classical learning of the Greeks and Romans

Renaissance cities

Some of the most important cities during the Renaissance were Florence, Rome, Venice, Genoa, and Milan

Humanism belief

People seem as the center of the world

Age of exploration

Led to the age of exploration

Renaissance origin

The Renaissance began in Italy

Renaissance timeframe

The Renaissance lasted from 1350 to 1600

Humanist Approach

Everything is explained using a humanist approach.

Renaissance Studies

The people of the Renaissance studied Grammar, History, Poetry using classical texts, and Rhetoric.

Critical Spirit

This period created people with a critical spirit and an enthusiasm for life.

Medici Family

Wealthy families like the Medici family of Florence encouraged the Renaissance.

Francesco Petrarch

Considered the father of humanism.

Giovanni Boccaccio

Wrote the book called the 'Decameron', about a group of people outside of Florence hiding from the Black Plague.

Dante Alighieri

Wrote the 'Divine Comedy', visiting heaven, hell, and purgatory.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Wrote 'Prince', advising rulers to maintain the safety of their states by whatever means necessary.

Desiderius Erasmus

Wrote the book 'In Praise of Folly', criticizing the church for its hypocrisy.

Thomas More

Wrote a book 'Utopia', describing an ideal society.

William Shakespeare

Wrote plays like Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth, dealing with timeless feelings.

Renaissance Art

Characterized by realism, life-like representation, and perspective.

Leonardo DaVinci

Scientist and inventor known for painting the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper.

Michelangelo

Great painter and sculptor known for his work on the Sistine Chapel.

Donatello

Known for his sculpture of King David.

Raphael

Known for his painting 'School of Athens', showing Socrates in discussion with his students.

Printing Press

One of the most important inventions during the Renaissance, associated with Gutenberg.

Renaissance Science

Characterized by experimentation, observation, and use of math to solve problems.

Heliocentric

Having the sun as the center of the solar system; not geocentric.

European Exploration

The Renaissance led to a period of exploration due to improvements in navigation and sailing.

Major Explorer

The first major explorer of the Renaissance period was an Italian who visited China and lived there for 17 years.

Marco Polo

Interest in China and Asia grew.

Prince Henry (Portugal) the Navigator

Started one of the first schools of navigation.

Portugal

First country to start a systematic exploration of the world.

Bartolomeu Dias

Sailed around the Cape of Good Hope in 1487; the crew mutinied, so they never completed the journey.

Vasco Da Gama

Made the complete trip to India for Portugal in 1497.

Christopher Columbus

Thought he could reach Asia by circumnavigating the world; financed by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand.

Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria

The three ships used by Columbus in his 1492 expedition.

Native Americans

The correct term for the inhabitants Columbus called INDIANS.

Americo Vespucci

Explorer who realized the land was a new discovery in 1503.

Martin Waldseemuller

Mapped out the area explored by Vespucci and named it America.

Balboa

Found the Isthmus of Panama and discovered the Pacific Ocean.

Ferdinand Magellan

Sailed across the Pacific Ocean and discovered the Philippine Islands in 1519; only 18 of 237 men returned.

Spanish Armada

Spanish fleet ordered to attack England by Philip II of Spain.

Francis Drake

Pirate who attacked Spanish ships and was knighted by Elizabeth.

Decline of Spain

Led to France becoming the major rival of Britain.

Mercantilism

The wealth of a nation consisted of the supply of money and precious metals in the hands of the government or its people.

IOU

A form of paper money.

Raw materials

Made colonies important as they were a market for manufactured goods.

Francesco Petrarch

Notable figure in the Renaissance.

Giovanni Boccaccio

Notable figure in the Renaissance.

Dante Alighieri

Notable figure in the Renaissance.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Notable figure in the Renaissance.

Desiderius Erasmus

Notable figure in the Renaissance.

Thomas More

Notable figure in the Renaissance.

William Shakespeare

Notable figure in the Renaissance.

Leonardo DaVinci

Notable figure in the Renaissance.

Michelangelo

Notable figure in the Renaissance.

Donatello

Notable figure in the Renaissance.

Raphael

Notable figure in the Renaissance.

Gutenburg

Notable figure in the Renaissance.

Copernicus

Notable figure in the Renaissance.

Kepler

Notable figure in the Renaissance.

Galileo

Notable figure in the Renaissance.