Causes of War, Exploration, and Renaissance

Flashcards about the causes of war, exploration, and the Renaissance.

Dismissal of Parliament (1629–1640)

Known as the Personal Rule, Charles ruled alone for 11 years.

Attempted Arrest of Five MPs (1642)

Increased tensions between Charles I and Parliament.

Ship Tax

Tax extended by Charles I without Parliament's approval, angering landowners.

Peace of Augsburg (1555)

Let rulers choose religion (Catholic or Lutheran), but excluded Calvinists.

Defenestration of Prague (1618)

Triggered the Thirty Years' War.

Political cause of English Civil War

Charles I believed in ruling without Parliament and the divine right.

Forced Loans

Charles demanded money without consent.

Long Parliament (1640)

Demanded reforms and abolition of ship tax.

Weakness of the Holy Roman Empire

Loose confederation of over 300 states; emperors had limited control.

Habsburg Ambitions

The Habsburg emperors (especially Ferdinand II) wanted to centralize power and enforce Catholicism.

Hernán Cortés

Leader of the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire.

Francisco Pizarro

Leader of the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire.

Diego de Almagro

Early companion of Pizarro; participated in the conquest of Peru and explored Chile.

Good leadership traits of Hernán Cortés

Strategic alliances with native tribes, bold decisions.

Good leadership traits of Oliver Cromwell

Skilled military commander, led New Model Army to victory.

Poor leadership traits of Atahualpa

Underestimated Spanish threat; captured easily.

Poor leadership traits of Charles I

Poor political judgment provoked conflict by refusing compromise.

Good leadership traits of Gustavus Adolphus

Brilliant strategist; brought modern tactics to the Protestant side.

Poor leadership traits of Ferdinand II

Inflexible religious policies escalated conflict.

Guns, steel weapons, and horses

Weaponry that gave conquistadors major advantages.

New Model Army

Professional standing army, disciplined and centrally organized.

Caravel

Light, fast, maneuverable ship ideal for ocean travel.

Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)

Spain and Portugal divided the world (with the pope’s approval).

Lateen sails

Allowed sailing against the wind (tacking).

Mercantilism

Regulate trade for national benefit.

Bullionism

Wealth from gold/silver.

Protectionism

More exports than imports.

Bullionism

Wealth from gold/silver.

Pride

Explorers sought personal fame.

Secularism

A movement away from religious dominance, focusing more on non-religious matters. Could be one of the causes of the Renaissance.

Success of the Reconquista

The rulers wanted more land and thought they could succeed again, as they believed that God was on their side

Fall of Constantinople as a catalyst

Ottomans controlled trade routes to Asia (e.g., the Silk Road), making them more expensive and dangerous.

Francesco Petrarch

Revived interest in classical Latin texts.

Erasmus

Christian humanist; combined classical learning with reformist ideals.

Humanism

A cultural and intellectual movement focusing on human potential, reason, and achievements, inspired by classical Greek and Roman texts.

Spread of Renaissance Ideas due to books

Printing press allowed mass production of these, spreading Renaissance and classical ideas quickly across northern Europe.

Trade

Wealthy merchant and banking cities mirrored Italian city-states.

Wealth and Patronage

Monarchs and nobles supported artists and scholars.