Unit One Review - Grade 12 History

Renaissance

"Rebirth"; period (1450-1600) of scientific, political, social, religious, and artistic advancements in Western Europe.

Constitutionalism

Power shared among parliaments/elected assemblies.

Absolutism

Centralized authority under a king (e.g., Louis XIV).

Holy Roman Empire

A collection of autonomous territories that contributed taxes/troops to the empire.

Habsburg Dynasty:

Ruling family (1282-1918) controlling multiple European kingdoms.

Humanism

Focus on individual potential and secular studies.

Driving Forces Behind the Renaissance

• Rediscovery of Greek & Roman Texts: Inspired new approaches in art, science, and philosophy.

• Rise of Wealthy Merchants: Funded education, innovation (e.g., Medici family).

• Expanded Trade Routes: Facilitated cultural and intellectual exchange.

• Printing Press (1454): Increased literacy and access to knowledge.

• Humanism: Shifted focus from religious to secular education.

Renaissance Impact

• Education: Shifted from theology to classical studies (literature, critical thinking).

• Fashion: Used to reflect social status.

• Trade: New goods, techniques (e.g., spices, stained glass) from Islamic world

Machiavelli’s Key Beliefs

• Power Above All: Rulers must maintain control.

• The Ends Justify the Means: Success > Morality; prioritize security, independence, strong laws.

• Fear vs. Love: A ruler should be both, but fear is more reliable.

• Deception & Manipulation: Appear virtuous but prioritize self-interest.

The Reformation (16th Century)

• Definition: A movement challenging the Catholic Church, leading to Protestantism.

Key Events:

• Martin Luther’s 95 Theses (1517): Criticized indulgences & corruption.

• Diet of Worms (1521): Luther refused to recant; declared an outlaw.

• Spread of Protestant Ideas: John Calvin led reforms across Europe.

• English Reformation: Henry VIII broke from Rome, forming the Anglican Church.

• Catholic Counter-Reformation: Council of Trent & Jesuits reasserted Catholic teachings.

New Political Systems

• Absolutism: Monarch holds unlimited power (e.g., Louis XIV).

• Constitutionalism: Monarch limited by law; power shared with parliaments (e.g., England’s Bill of Rights, 1689).

Renaissance Exploration Reasons

Reasons: Economic growth, technological advances, religious expansion.

Key Explorers

• John Cabot (1497): England to Newfoundland.

• Columbus (1492-1504): Spain to the Caribbean & South America.

• Jacques Cartier (1534-1542): France to the St. Lawrence River (Montreal).

• Vasco da Gama (1497-1499): Portugal to India.

• Magellan (1519): First circumnavigation (complete navigation around the world); killed in the Philippines.

• Francis Drake (1577): Second circumnavigation.

Columbus Debate

• Pro: Opened Age of Exploration, Columbian Exchange,

• Con: Indigenous exploitation, spread of disease

Strongest Argument (5th Point)

• Did Not “Discover” America – Indigenous civilizations already existed, and Norse explorer Leif Erikson reached North America centuries earlier.

Galileo’s Trial

• Charges: Heresy, teaching false doctrine, disobedience.

• Reason: Heliocentrism (Earth orbits Sun) contradicted Church teachings.

• Outcome: Forced to recant; sentenced to life under house arrest.

Philosophers: Hobbes vs. Locke

• Hobbes: Absolute monarchy ensures order; people surrender freedom for security.

• Locke: Government must protect rights (life, liberty, property); citizens can resist tyranny.

• Both argued that people enter agreements with the government for protection.

• Better System? Locke’s balance of power prevents corruption and preserves freedoms.

Absolutism vs. Constitutionalism

• Absolutism: The monarch holds unchecked power

• Constitutionalism: Power limited by law; government must protect citizen rights.

Art: High Renaissance vs. Mannerism

• High Renaissance: Harmony, balance, realism (e.g., Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo).

• Mannerism: Dramatic lighting, exaggerated figures, emotional intensity

Similarities

Both use Renaissance techniques

Both create religious and secular works centred on the human figure.

Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) Phases

1. Bohemian Phase: Catholic Habsburgs vs. Protestant nobles.

2. Danish Phase: Denmark intervenes but is defeated by Catholics.

3. Swedish Phase: Sweden (Gustavus Adolphus) weakens Habsburgs.

4. French Phase: France joins Protestants, shifts war away from religion to power struggle.

Peace of Westphalia (1648)

Ended the Thirty Years’ War.

Results: France & Sweden gained land, Dutch independence recognized, religious tolerance expanded.

Renaissance Invention: Eyeglasses

• Improved Learning: Helped scholars, increased literacy.

• Enhanced Craftsmanship: Precision work for artists & jewelers.

• Sparked Optical Trade: Led to telescopes & microscopes.

Gutenberg’s Printing Press

• First Major Use: Mass production of the Gutenberg Bible.

• Impact: Increased literacy, spread of Renaissance and Reformation ideas.

Historical Inquiry Process

1. Formulate Questions

2. Gather & Organize Information

3. Interpret & Analyze

4. Draw Conclusions

5. Communicate Findings

Key Historical Terms

Primary Source: Firsthand evidence.

Secondary Source: Interpretation of primary sources.

Imperialism: Expanding power through force/diplomacy.

Context: Background circumstances surrounding an event.

Bias: Favoring one perspective.

Totalitarianism: State controls all aspects of life.

Chronology: Events in time order.

Cause and Effect: One event leads to another.

Historical Perspective: Different interpretations of history.

Era: Specific historical period.

Empire: A group of territories under one ruler.

Nation-State: A sovereign political entity with a common identity.

Nationalism: Pride in one’s nation.

Aristocracy: Government by elites.

Nobility: Hereditary ruling class.

Propaganda: Misleading information for political influence.

Bourgeoisie: Middle-class business owners and merchants