The Renaissance & Middle Ages

What happened to Europe’s population during the Black Death?

About 60% died, causing massive demographic changes.

What did John Wycliff argue for?

He wanted the Bible in common languages and questioned papal authority.

How did Humanism change education?

It revived classical learning with Latin, Greek, philosophy, and history.

What was Michel de Montaigne’s main idea?

He promoted skepticism, doubting certainty and stressing tolerance.

What did Thomas More’s Utopia describe?

An ideal society with tolerance, equality, and Christian values.

What was the Renaissance?

A “rebirth” of culture and ideas that began in 14th-century Italy.

What caused the Black Death?

Population growth, famine, and fleas on rats aboard ships.

How did the Black Death affect the Church?

It weakened authority as leaders died and corruption showed.

What did Erasmus push for?

Education, inner faith, and reform through satire in Praise of Folly.

What advice did Machiavelli give in The Prince?

Rulers should be pragmatic, even ruthless, to stay in power.

What did Jan Huss criticize?

Indulgences and the lack of scripture in everyday languages.

What was Lorenzo Valla known for?

Proving the “Donation of Constantine” was a forgery.

Why did the Renaissance begin in Italy?

Trade, Roman heritage, merchants, city-states, and Greek scholars.

How did merchants shape the Renaissance?

They challenged nobles and funded art and education.

How did the Black Death change the economy?

Wages rose, food prices fell, and survivors gained wealth.

What were key Renaissance art techniques?

Perspective, chiaroscuro, and lifelike emotion.

Why is Francesco Petrarch important?

He’s the “Father of Humanism,” promoting classical texts.

How did people react to the Black Death?

They blamed Jews, turned to religion, and doubted the Church.

What role did the Medici family play?

They bankrolled artists and shaped Florence’s culture.

How did Constantinople’s fall spark the Renaissance?

Greek scholars fled to Italy, bringing manuscripts.

What roles did women usually have in the Renaissance?

Mostly limited, though some like Isabella d’Este gained influence.

What did Christine de Pisan argue in The City of Ladies?

Women could be educated and virtuous.

How did classical texts shape Renaissance thought?

Reviving Greek and Latin works inspired art and philosophy.

Why was Renaissance diplomacy important?

Treaties kept stability so art and ideas could flourish.

What were the Avignon Papacy and Great Schism?

Church crises that weakened trust and fueled reform.

What was the Black Death?

A plague (1348–1350) that killed about 60% of Europe.

What was the Conciliar Movement?

A push for councils to lead the Church instead of the pope.

What is Christian Humanism?

Classical learning blended with Christian values for reform.

What defined the Northern Renaissance?

Religious focus, humanism, trade, and lay participation.

What is Renaissance secularism?

Interest in worldly life, not just religion.

What is Renaissance individualism?

Celebrating personal fame and achievement.

What were major art innovations?

Perspective, chiaroscuro, and natural emotion.

What made Renaissance art different?

It was vibrant, realistic, and detailed, unlike medieval art.

What is Machiavelli’s political realism?

Power over morality, cunning, and “ends justify means.”

What did the Northern Renaissance focus on?

Trade, cities, religion, and Christian Humanism.

What were the core values of Humanism?

Achievement, classics, dignity, secularism, and materialism.

Who were key Renaissance figures?

Leonardo, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Machiavelli.

Who was Isabella d’Este?

A patron of the arts and leader in fashion and diplomacy.

How did city-states’ independence matter?

It fueled innovation and made cities cultural centers.