Unit 1: Renaissance and Exploration (Amy Ly)

What was the Renaissance?

A period of cultural and intellectual rebirth starting in Italy in the 14th century, characterized by a renewed interest in classical learning, humanism, and the arts.

What is humanism?

A philosophical and intellectual movement during the Renaissance that emphasized the value and agency of human beings, focusing on education, reason, and classical studies.

Who were prominent artists of the Renaissance?

Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.

What was the significance of the printing press?

Invented by Johannes Gutenberg, it revolutionized information dissemination by making books cheaper and more accessible, increasing literacy and the spread of ideas.

What characterized the Italian Renaissance?

A period of great cultural growth in Italy, marked by a renewed interest in classical art, literature, philosophy, humanism, and individualism.

Name a key figure of the Northern Renaissance.

Desiderius Erasmus, known for his critical approach to religion and belief in the importance of education.

What were the main causes of the Age of Exploration?

Desire for new trade routes, spread of Christianity, technological advancements, and search for wealth.

What were the key effects of European expansion?

Colonization, global trade growth, cultural exchange, and exploitation.

What was the triangular trade?

A system where European traders brought goods to Africa, exchanged them for slaves, and transported the slaves to the Americas, generating profits from plantation crops.

What social changes occurred during the Commercial Revolution?

Growth of urbanization, rise of the middle class, and development of a consumer culture.

What drove the Renaissance and Age of Discovery?

A pursuit of knowledge, wealth, and power, with the Renaissance laying the groundwork for the scientific and artistic innovations of the Age of Discovery.