European History: From the Renaissance to the Napoleonic Era

Vocabulary flashcards covering key historical figures, events, terms, and concepts from the Renaissance, Reformation, Enlightenment, American Revolution, French Revolution, and Napoleonic era.

Renaissance

a period of cultural and scientific growth in Europe. It was known as a “rebirth of ideas” because people became interested in ancient Greek and Roman knowledge.

Humanities

 subjects that explore human abilities and experiences. They used ancient Greek and Roman writings to teach critical thinking, communication, and philosophy.

Giovanni Pico della Mirandola

an Italian Renaissance philosopher who supported humanist ideas. He wrote 900 theses that challenged some Catholic Church teachings

what is hidden in the creation of adam

the human brain

Johannes Gutenberg

The inventor of the printing press, which led to mass production of books and the distribution of the Bible, scientific discoveries, and new ideas.

Golden Ratio

A mathematical concept used by da Vinci to help create balanced and visually appealing artwork.

What eastern threat was defeated at the Battle of Malta, and why is this significant?

The Ottoman Empire

Sale of Indulgences

promoted as a way to reduce punishment for sins, including time in purgatory

What factors led to the Golden Age of England?

political stability, growing trade, and increased naval strength, The defeat of the Spanish Armada

What was the status of people in Eastern Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries?

lived under serfdom, had limited freedom and were often legally tied to the land and controlled by their landlords.

What was considered a sign of status among European peasantry?

family background, education, and a person's position in the local community.

What were the primary power structures of Europe at this time?

Religious authority, (Pope and Catholic Church) and Political power was held by kings and other rulers

the Thirty Years’ War

a conflict between Catholics and Protestants in the Holy Roman Empire. caused widespread destruction.

what treaty was created to prevent future conflict after the thirty years war

 The Peace of Westphalia

What is Mercantilism

increasing a country's wealth by exporting more goods than it imported

how did Mercantilism shape European economies

European nations competed for colonies and raw materials, led to monopolies and conflicts over trade.

What groups were targeted with accusations of witchcraft, and why?

old, poor, and unmarried women

What is the Enlightenment

a movement during the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, science, and progress.

what was enlightenments main idea

individual rights, freedom of speech, and political reform.

Deism

 the belief that God created the universe but does not regularly interfere with its events.

 how does deism connect to Enlightenment beliefs?

it emphasizes reason and encourages people to question traditional religious teachings.

What caused the French and Indian War

competition between Britain and France for land and power in North America.

what were some of the french and indian wars’ lasting consequences

Britain won but gained large debts from the war

Salutary Neglect

 Britain's policy of loosely enforcing some colonial laws

how did salutary neglect impact american colonies

it made british control harder to accept

What methods of control did Britain use against the colonies, and what mistakes did they make?

colonial trade, trade laws, and colonists in military courts.

true story of the Boston Massacre?

tension between colonists and British soldiers turned violent. British soldiers fired into a crowd, killing five colonists. The event became an important piece of revolutionary propaganda.

What was the major significance of the Battle of Saratoga?

convinced France that the Americans had a real chance of winning. France joined the war and provided important military and financial support.

Who were the Sans-culottes, and what role did they play in the Revolution?

working-class people who supported radical changes during the French Revolution

Why did the National Assembly meet on a tennis court, and what were their objectives?

were excluded from their usual meeting place. They promised not to separate until they had created a constitution that limited the king's power and reformed the government.

What was the Bastille

a royal fortress and prison that represented the king's absolute power.

What events facilitated the women’s march on Versailles?

Rising bread prices and food shortages

Why were Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette executed?

for attempting to escape France and working against the Revolution.

What was the Reign of Terror, and what was its impact on France?

 a violent period during the French Revolution where Thousands were executed, and many others were arrested as suspected enemies of the Revolution

Who is Napoleon Bonaparte, and how did he rise to power?

a French military leader who introduced financial and legal reforms, Napoleonic Code, also limited womens rights

What was the Napoleonic Code

a legal system introduced by Napoleon that replaced many old laws. It established legal equality for men and protected property rights, but it limited women's rights

 Who crowned Napoleon, and why was this symbolic?

Napoleon crowned himself emperor, this demonstrate his independence from the Church and that his authority came from himself

What was the Continental System

Napoleon's attempt to weaken Britain's economy by preventing European countries from trading with it.

 What military defeats contributed to the fall of Napoleon?

the Battle of Leipzig in 1813 and the Battle of Waterloo in 1815

why is the creation of adam significant

shows his knowledge of anatomy and science within a painting that represented Christian beliefs.

Where did the Renaissance begin, and why was this region particularly suited for its emergence?

began in Italy because its location made trade with other regions easier. Trade brought new ideas, knowledge, and goods into Italian cities

Why would the Pope seek to create conflicts among the Italian city-states?

The Pope encouraged conflicts between city-states to protect his authority.

How did the Italian economy change during the Renaissance

trade expanded and people wanted more expensive and unusual goods.

What religious conflict began on the Iberian Peninsula, and what were its consequences?

Christian rulers pushed Muslims out of the region as they expanded Christian control.

What caused the Reformation in England, and who were its key figures?

Henry VIII wanted to end his marriage to Catherine of Aragon so he could marry again and try to have a male heir. When the Pope refused Henry separated England from the Catholic Church and established the Church of England.