AP European History Period One Flashcard Set

Renaissance

A cultural movement that began in Italy during the 14th century, characterized by a revival of interest in classical art, literature, and learning. It marked the transition from the Middle Ages to Modernity.

Niccolo Machiavelli

An Italian diplomat and philosopher, known for his political treatise “The Prince,” which offers insight into political power and strategy

Humanism

Way of life centered on human interests, study of humanity

Francesco Petrarch

An Italian scholar and poet, considered the father of Humanism, who emphasized the study of classical texts and the importance of individual expression.

Baldasssare Castiglione

An Italian diplomat and author known for his work “The Book of Courtier,” which outlines the qualities of a perfect Courtier and the ideal behaviors for nobility.

Christine de Pisan

A Venetian author and poet, known for her writings on women’s roles in society and her advocacy for women’s education, particularly in her book “The Book of the City of Ladies.”

Civic Humanism

political philosophy that emphasizes the importance of civic virtue and political participation in a republic.

Chiaroscuro

A technique in painting that employs strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and depth

Michelangelo

An Italian Renaissance sculptor, painter, and architect, famous for his masterpieces such as the statue of David and the Sistine Chapel Ceiling.

Geometric Perspective

A mathematical system used in art to create the illusion of depth and space on a flat surface, often employing vanishing points and horizon lines.

Donatello

A renowned Italian Renaissance sculptor known for his lifelike figures and pioneering works such as the bronze statue of David and the equestrian statue of Gattamelata.

Raphael

An Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance, celebrated for his works such as The School of Athens and numerous Madonnas

Leonardo da Vinci

A polymath of the Italian Renaissance, recognized for his contributions to art, science, and engineering. Notable works include the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper

Johann Gutenburg

German inventor and craftsman, designed and built the first printing press.

Desiderius Erasmus

A Dutch Philosopher and Humanist of the Renaissance, known for his critical writings on the Church and his advocate for education and reform. His most famous work is “In Praise of Folly.”

Mannerism

An artistic style that emerged in the late Renaissance, characterized by exaggerated proportions, emotional expression, and a departure from classical harmony.

Baroque

A highly decorative and dramatic artistic style that emerged in the late 16th century and lasted into the 18th century, characterized by bold colors, intricate details, and a sense of movement.

Aristotle

An ancient Greek philosopher and scientist whose ideas influenced Western thought across various disciplines including metaphysics, ethics, politics, and natural sciences.

Galen

An ancient Greek physician and philosopher whose work on medicine and anatomy significantly influenced medical practices and theories in Europe and the Islamic world for centuries.

Galileo

An Italian astronomer and physicist known for his contributions to the scientific method and for supporting the heliocentric model of the solar system.

William Harvey

An English physician who discovered the circulation of blood in the body, demonstrating how the heart functions as a pump.

Francis Bacon

An English philosopher and statesman who is credited with developing the scientific method and promoting empiricism in scientific inquiry.

Renee Descartes

A French philosopher and mathematician who is considered the father of modern philosophy. He is best known for his statement "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am) and his work in developing Cartesian coordinate systems.

New Monarchies

The term refers to the centralized governments established in France, Spain, and England during the late 15th and early 16th centuries, which strengthened royal authority and reduced the power of feudal lords.

Ferdinand and Isabela (Spain)

Louis XI “The Spider”

A powerful king of France known for his efforts in centralizing the French state, strengthening royal authority, and expanding the territory of France during the late 15th century.

Francis I

The King of France from 1515 to 1547, Francis I was noted for his patronage of the arts, his rivalry with Charles V, and his role in the spread of Renaissance humanism in France.

Henry VII

The first Tudor king of England, reigning from 1485 to 1509, who established the Tudor dynasty, secured peace after the Wars of the Roses, and strengthened the monarchy.

Star Chamber

A court established by Henry VII to control the nobility and enforce royal authority, which employed arbitrary justice and was composed of Privy Councillors.

Gentry

A class of landowners in England below the nobility, often serving as the backbone of rural society and holding significant social and political influence.

English Civil War

A series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists in England from 1642 to 1651, leading to the trial and execution of King Charles I and the establishment of the Commonwealth.

Oliver Cromwell

A military and political leader during the English Civil War, who became the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England after the execution of King Charles I.

Reconquista

The centuries-long series of campaigns by Christian states to recapture territory taken by Muslims in the Iberian Peninsula, culminating in 1492 with the fall of Granada.

Spanish Inquisition

A tribunal established in 1478 to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in Spain, targeting conversos and other heresies.

Politique

A political leader who prioritizes the state over religious considerations, particularly during times of conflict.

Schmalkaldic League

Defensive alliance of Protestant princes and cities in the Holy Roman Empire formed in 1531 to resist the Catholic Holy Roman Emperor Charles V's efforts to enforce Catholicism and suppress Lutheranism.

The Fronde Revolt

A series of civil wars in France (1648-1653) that challenged royal authority during the minority of Louis XIV.

Catalan Revolt

A rebellion in Catalonia against Spanish rule from 1640 to 1652, driven by opposition to heavy taxation and central authority.

Dutch Revolt

The uprising of the Netherlands against Spanish rule from 1568 to 1648, motivated by religious and political grievances, ultimately leading to the establishment of an independent Dutch state.

Centralized Power

The concentration of authority in a central governing body, often limiting the autonomy of local governments and regions.

Decentralized Power

The distribution of authority away from a central governing body, allowing for greater autonomy for local governments and regions.

Religious Pluralism

The coexistence of multiple religious beliefs and practices within a society, fostering tolerance and interaction among different faiths.

Sovereign State

A political entity with a defined territory, permanent population, and the ability to govern itself without external interference.

Natural Law

The philosophical belief that certain rights are inherent by virtue of human nature and can be understood through reason, independent of government.

Social Contract

A theory proposing that individuals consent to form a society and accept certain moral and political obligations in exchange for protection and societal benefits. Book by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Balance of Power

A political concept in which power is distributed among various nations to prevent any one nation from becoming too strong, ensuring stability and peace in international relations.

Absolutism

A political system in which a ruler holds absolute power and authority over the government and its citizens, often justified by divine right.

Indulgences

Payments made to the Church to reduce punishment for sins, often criticized during the Reformation.

Johann Tetzel

A German Dominican friar and preacher known for selling indulgences and his role in the Reformation, famously opposing Martin Luther.

Ulrich Zwingli

A Swiss theologian and leader of the Reformation in Switzerland, Zwingli introduced reforms in Zurich and emphasized the authority of Scripture over Church traditions.

Transubstantiation

The belief that during the Eucharist, the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ, a doctrine upheld by the Catholic Church.

Predestination

The doctrine that God has eternally chosen those who will be saved or damned, a key tenet of Calvinism.

Sola Scriptura

The doctrine stating that Scripture alone is the supreme authority in matters of faith and practice, fundamental to Protestant Reformation theology.

Sola Fide

The belief that faith alone is sufficient for salvation, a central doctrine of Protestant Reformation theology.

Martin Luther

The German monk and theologian who sparked the Protestant Reformation by publishing his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517, challenging the Catholic Church's practices and doctrines.

Huguenots

French Protestants influenced by Calvinism, they faced severe persecution and civil wars in France.

Calvinists

Members of the Protestant reform movement founded on the teachings of John Calvin, emphasizing predestination and the sovereignty of God.

Anabaptists

A Christian movement that emerged in the 16th century, advocating for adult baptism and a separation of church and state. Anabaptists believed in voluntary church membership and practiced a pacifist lifestyle.

Puritans

Members of a reformist group within the Church of England who sought to purify the church from practices they considered remnants of Catholicism. They stressed personal piety, biblical authority, and congregational governance.

Mary I of England (Bloody Mary)

The queen of England from 1553 to 1558, known for her attempt to restore Roman Catholicism and her persecution of Protestants, earning her the nickname "Bloody Mary."

Great Armada

A Spanish fleet sent to invade England in 1588, ultimately defeated by the English navy, marking a turning point in the power dynamics between England and Spain.

Catherine de Medici

The queen consort of Henry II of France and mother to three French kings, known for her significant influence in French politics and attempts to maintain stability amidst religious conflicts such as the Wars of Religion.

St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre

A massacre of Huguenots (French Protestants) in 1572 during which thousands were killed, exacerbating the French Wars of Religion and further entrenching religious conflict in France.

Henry of Navarre

A key figure in the French Wars of Religion, he became King Henry IV of France and issued the Edict of Nantes, granting religious tolerance to Huguenots.

Charles V

Holy Roman Emperor and Spanish king known for his vast empire and defense of Catholicism during the Reformation. He faced significant challenges from Protestant reformers and political rivals.

Edict of Nantes

A decree issued in 1598 by Henry IV of France that granted Huguenots rights and freedoms, effectively ending the religious wars.

Defenestration of Prague

The event in 1618 where Protestant nobles threw two Catholic officials out a window, marking the start of the Thirty Years' War.

Treaty of Westphalia

The series of peace treaties signed in 1648 that ended the Thirty Years' War in Europe, establishing a new political order based on state sovereignty.

Gustavus Adolphus II

King of Sweden who played a crucial role in the Thirty Years' War, known for his military innovations and leadership that helped the Protestant cause.

Compass

An instrument used for navigation and orientation that shows directions relative to the geographical cardinal directions (North, East, South, West).

Stern-post rubber

A type of rudder design used in shipbuilding, attached to the stern of the vessel, improving maneuverability and control.

Portaloni

A term referring to the sails and rigging systems of a ship, often important in maritime navigation and sailing efficiency.

Quadrant

A navigational instrument used to measure the altitude of celestial bodies, aiding in maritime navigation.

Astrolabe

An ancient navigational tool used for solving problems related to time and the position of the stars, crucial for navigation at sea.

Lateen Rig

A triangular sail mounted on a mast at an angle, allowing for efficient sailing against the wind and common in Mediterranean maritime practices.

Columbian Exchange

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

Triangular Trade

A system of transatlantic trade in the 16th to 19th centuries that involved the exchange of enslaved Africans, goods, and commodities between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Middle Passage

The horrific journey undertaken by enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas, characterized by overcrowding, disease, and high mortality rates during the 16th to 19th centuries.

Treaty of Tordesillas

An agreement between Spain and Portugal established in 1494 to divide newly discovered lands outside Europe, delineating their respective spheres of influence in the Americas.

Seven Years War

A global conflict that lasted from 1756 to 1763, involving major European powers and their colonies, primarily fought over territorial disputes in North America and India.

Commercial Capitalism

An economic system that emerged in Europe during the late Middle Ages, characterized by the growth of trade and investment, where merchants seek profit through trade and the establishment of market economies.

Mercantilism

An economic theory that emphasizes government regulation of a nation's economy for augmenting state power, based on the idea that global wealth is static and that a country should export more than it imports.

Joint-Stock Company

A business entity where different stocks can be bought and owned by shareholders. This form of company emerged in the late 16th century, allowing for the pooling of resources for large-scale ventures, particularly in trade and colonization.

Dutch East India Company

A powerful joint-stock company established in 1602 to conduct trade in the East Indies, it played a crucial role in the spice trade and was a key player in the colonization efforts of the Netherlands.

British East India Company

A joint-stock company founded in 1600, it played a significant role in the trade between Britain and India, particularly in textiles and spices, and was instrumental in the establishment of British colonial rule in the region.

Double-Entry Bookkeeping

An accounting method that records each transaction in two accounts, ensuring that the accounting equation remains balanced. Developed during the Renaissance, it revolutionized financial record-keeping and business management.

Bank of Amsterdam

A state-supported bank founded in 1609, it became the financial center of Europe by providing a secure place for deposits and facilitating international trade transactions.

Enclosure Movement

A process in England during the 18th and 19th centuries where common land was converted into privately owned farms, leading to increased agricultural productivity and significant social changes.

Freehold Tenure

A type of land ownership where the owner has full rights to the property, including the ability to sell or lease it. This tenure system became more common in England during the late medieval period.