AP_Euro_U1_AMSCO

Renaissance

A period from the 14th to the 17th century characterized by a revival of art, literature, and learning based on classical sources.

Humanism

An intellectual movement during the Renaissance that emphasized the study of classical texts and focused on human potential and achievements.

Secularism

The principle of separating religion from political, social, and educational institutions, which gained prominence during the Renaissance.

Ex cambio

A Spanish term meaning 'exchange', often used in the context of trade during the Renaissance.

Crusades

Military campaigns sanctioned by the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages in an attempt to recover the Holy Land from Muslim rule.

Individualism

A societal trend during the Renaissance that emphasized the moral worth of the individual and the pursuit of personal goals.

Classical learning

The study of ancient Greek and Roman texts during the Renaissance that laid the foundation for many modern disciplines.

Printing press

A revolutionary invention by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century that allowed for mass production of books and the spread of ideas.

Cartography

The art and science of map-making which became essential during the Age of Exploration.

Mercantilism

An economic theory that emphasizes the importance of accumulating monetary wealth through trade, often seen in colonial policies.

Encomienda system

A labor system instituted by the Spanish crown in the Americas, allowing colonists to demand tribute and forced labor from indigenous inhabitants.

Columbian Exchange

The widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World after Columbus's voyages.

Joint-stock company

A business entity where different investors can buy shares, thus reducing individual risk in ventures, prominent in the age of exploration.

New monarchies

European monarchs who consolidated power and centralized authority in the late 15th to early 17th centuries, notably in Spain and France.

Age of Discovery

A period from the 15th to the 17th century marked by European exploration of Africa, the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific.

Patronage

The support given by patrons, often wealthy individuals or families, to artists and scholars during the Renaissance.

Civic humanism

A variant of humanism that emphasized the importance of active participation in public life and civic engagement.

Feudalism

A social system prevalent in medieval Europe where the nobility held lands from the crown in exchange for military service and peasants worked the land.

Naturalism

An artistic representation that aims to depict subjects as they appear in nature, prominent in Renaissance artworks.

Machiavellianism

A political theory derived from Niccolò Machiavelli's writings that suggests the use of cunning and deceit in political leadership.

Astrolabe

An ancient instrument used by navigators to measure the altitude of celestial bodies to determine geographical location.

Caravel

A small Spanish or Portuguese sailing ship of the 15th–17th centuries, which was highly maneuverable and useful for exploration.

Theocracy

A form of government in which religious leaders control the government, and the state is governed by divine guidance.

Florence

A city in Italy that was a major center of Renaissance art, architecture, and culture.

Sovereignty

The ultimate authority in a territory and the capacity to govern without external interference.

Hernán Cortés

Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire.

Slave trade

The business of capturing, transporting, and selling enslaved people, which became a significant aspect of the Atlantic economy.

Vernacular

The language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region, increasingly used in literature during the Renaissance.

Civic virtue

The notion of doing what is best for the community, often discussed by civic humanists during the Renaissance.

Censorship

The suppression of speech, public communication, or other information considered objectionable by authorities.

The Medici family

A powerful and influential family during the Renaissance in Florence, known for their patronage of the arts.

Golden Age

A time in a nation's past marked by great achievements in arts, culture, and usually economic growth.

Petrarch

An Italian scholar and poet in Renaissance Italy who is often called the father of Humanism.

Cicero

A Roman statesman, orator, and author whose writings influenced Renaissance thinkers.

Florentine Codex

A 16th-century ethnographic research study of the Aztec culture, written by a Spanish Franciscan friar.

Scientific revolution

A period of great advances in scientific thought and knowledge between the 16th and 18th centuries.

Trade routes

Established paths for the exchange of goods, key to the expansion of trade during the Renaissance.

Philosophy

The study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, and reality.

Absolutism

A political system in which a single ruler holds total power, often justified by the divine right of kings.

Renaissance man

A person with talents and knowledge in a wide variety of fields, particularly in arts and sciences.

Sistine Chapel

A chapel in Vatican City famous for its Renaissance art, especially Michelangelo's ceiling painting.

European expansion

The period of overseas exploration and colonization by European powers, especially during the 15th to 17th centuries.

The Black Death

A devastating global epidemic of bubonic plague that struck Europe in the mid-14th century and had lasting effects on society.

Orthodoxy

Traditional beliefs or practices in a religion or ideology, often resistant to change or reform.

Slave revolts

Attempts by enslaved people to overthrow their captors, significant during the transatlantic slave trade.

Cultural syncretism

The blending of religious and cultural elements from different cultures that meets as a result of colonialism.

Economic exploitation

The act of using someone's labor without offering them a fair compensation, commonly seen in colonial contexts.

Social hierarchy

A system of organization in society based on perceived social status, wealth, and roles.

Pedagogy

The method and practice of teaching, especially in an academic setting.

Philanthropy

The desire to promote the welfare of others, often expressed by the donation of money or resources to good causes.

Transubstantiation

The belief in the Catholic Church that during communion, bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ.

Colonialism

The practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

Advancements in technology

Innovations that improve the efficiency or capabilities of human activities, especially during the Renaissance.

Culture

The social behavior and norms found in human societies, encompassing arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought.

Natural rights

Philosophical theories that claim individuals have inherent rights that cannot be taken away by the state.

Indigenous peoples

The original inhabitants of a region, often displaced or marginalized due to colonization.

Ethnocentrism

The belief in the inherent superiority of one's own ethnic group or culture.

Exploration

The act of traveling through an unfamiliar area to learn about it, especially in the context of European expansion.

Civilization

Complex human societies characterized by urban development, social stratification, and symbolic communication.

Trade monopolies

Control of the supply or trade of a commodity or service within an area, often enforced by governing powers.

Bargaining power

The relative ability of parties in a negotiation to exert influence and negotiate favorable outcomes.

Empire

A group of states or territories controlled by a single sovereign power.

Rural-urban migration

The movement of people from rural areas to cities, often in search of better economic opportunities.

Imperial expansion

The process of extending a country’s power and influence through colonization, military force, or other means.

Temple

In many religions, the building devoted to the worship of a deity, where religious rites are performed.

Slavery

The practice of owning slaves, where individuals are forced to work without pay and considered property.

Decline of serfdom

The gradual reduction of the feudal system where peasants were bound to work on a lord's land, particularly in Western Europe.

Patriarchy

A societal system in which men hold primary power and dominant roles in leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property.