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What controlled every aspect of life in Western Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire?
The Catholic Church, royal rulers, and the nobility controlled power, wealth, and salvation for over 1,000 years.
When did Western Europe begin to experience significant societal change, and what major event triggered it?
The mid-1300s, triggered by the catastrophic biological disaster of the Black Death.
How did the Black Death reach Europe, and what were its effects?
It was brought from Asia via trade routes, largely spread by black rats and fleas. It decimated Europe's population, killing 30-50% of people.
What was the societal impact of the Black Death on families and faith?
Families often abandoned one another. Many saw the plague as divine punishment, and religious movements like the flagellants arose.
How were Jewish communities affected by the Black Death?
Jews were scapegoated for the plague, leading to pogroms and massacres, like in Strasbourg in 1349 where 2,000 Jews were burnt alive.
What literary work provides a first-hand account of the Black Death, and who wrote it?
The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio describes stories of human reactions to the plague, showcasing both kindness and cruelty.
What was the significance of the fall of Constantinople in 1453?
It ended the Byzantine Empire, marked the rise of the Ottoman Empire, and led to the spread of ancient Greek and Roman knowledge in Europe, sparking the Renaissance.
What revolutionary invention did Johannes Gutenberg introduce in 1453?
The movable type printing press, which revolutionized mass communication, increased literacy, and spread Renaissance, Reformation, and Scientific Revolution ideas.
How did the Renaissance impact literature and the spread of ideas?
Authors began writing in vernacular languages instead of Latin, allowing for broader audience appeal and weakening the authority of the Church.
What is Renaissance humanism, and what did it emphasize?
Renaissance humanism focused on the abilities of man, individual achievement, and the study of classical works, leading to a more secular and intellectual outlook.
Who is considered the "Father of Humanism," and what were his contributions?
Petrarch, who laid the foundations for humanism, promoted the study of classical Latin, and criticized the "Dark Ages."
What did Niccolo Machiavelli argue in The Prince?
Political leaders should prioritize the welfare of the state, even if it means going against Christian values. Famous ideas: "It is better to be feared than loved" and "The ends justify the means."
What was the focus of Christian Humanists?
They sought to combine classical and Christian ideas, aiming for biblical accuracy and advocating patience, faith, and charity.
What triggered the Northern Renaissance, and how did it differ from the Italian Renaissance?
Scholars from across Europe adopted Renaissance ideas, with a more religious focus, leading to the Protestant Reformation.
What contributed to the rise of African slavery in Europe during the Renaissance?
The exploration of the west coast of Africa in the 1300s and 1400s led to large numbers of African slaves being imported into Europe. By the 1530s, 4,000-5,000 slaves were sold annually in Lisbon.
How did the growing number of African slaves affect European attitudes?
It fostered the belief that Africans were inferior to Europeans, which helped rationalize involvement in the slave trade.
What social groups dominated Renaissance cities?
Cities were dominated by elites, which included titled nobility and wealthy merchant families.
What was the life of peasants like in the Renaissance countryside?
Peasant life revolved around the seasons and the village. They paid rent in the form of labor or money to wealthy landowners, and their lives were strongly influenced by the Church and superstitions.
What were women's roles and options in Renaissance society?
Women had no legal rights, were expected to marry and bear children, and had few educational opportunities. The only alternative was to join the Church as nuns.
What was Christine de Pizan's contribution to Renaissance thought on women?
In The Book of the City of Ladies, she argued that women were as capable as men if given the same opportunities in education and society.
Name two exceptional women of the Renaissance and their achievements.
Isabella d’Este: Ruled Mantua effectively while her husband was held hostage and turned it into a center of education and art.
Artemisia Gentileschi: Overcame challenges to become a successful painter, known for her depictions of powerful women.
What was the querelles de femmes?
It was a debate among Renaissance scholars about the appropriate role of women in society, questioning whether women experienced a true Renaissance.
How did Renaissance art and architecture differ from medieval styles?
Renaissance art focused on perspective, realistic colors, human traits, and classical themes, while architecture revived Greek and Roman styles, moving away from the medieval Gothic style.
Who were the "New Monarchs" and how did they strengthen their states?
The New Monarchs, like King Henry VII of England and Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, centralized power by improving tax collection, weakening the nobility, and establishing control over their nations.
Context and Causation of the Renaissance and Exploration
-Rediscovery of ancient classical (Greek and Roman) texts changed many Europeans views of the world. The revival of classical texts led to new methods of scholarship and new values in both society and religion.
- The visual arts incorporated new ideas of the Renaissance and were used to promote personal, political, and religious goals.
- European nations were motivated by commercial and religious goals to explore overseas territories and establish colonies.
Italian Renaissance
- Humanists like Petrarch and della Mirandola revived interest in classical learning and secularism and individualism
- Rediscovery of classical texts, circulated by the printing press, ended monopoly of the Church on education
- Renewed interest in classical government led to civic humanism and more secular views of government and the individual
- The elite utilized art and architecture to enhance their prestige
Northern Renaissance
- More religious than the Italian Renaissance
- Christian Humanism dominates
- Artists embrace a naturalism
Printing
Invention of the printing press in the 1450’s encouraged the use of vernacular languages and the development of national cultures.
New Monarchs
- Monarchs like Henry VIII and Elizabeth I of England instituted religious reforms from the top down in order to expand royal authority.
- New Monarchs like Ferdinand and Isabella expanded royal control over taxation, military affairs, and religious affairs.
Technological Advances in Age of Exploration
- Advances in navigation, cartography, and military technology helped expand European power in the Age of Exploration.
- European states sought direct access to gold, spices, and luxury
goods to enhance personal wealth and state wealth.
- Mercantilism created a dominant role for the government in economic affairs.
- Mercantilism led to an expansion of colonialism
- Christianity was another motive and justification for exploration.
New Rivalries on the World Stage
- European nations established control over colonies and trade networks through coercion and negotiation.
- The Spanish and Portuguese came to dominate in Central and South America.
- The Atlantic States formed their own empires to compete with the Iberian powers.
- These national rivalries led to several wars.
Slave Trade
- Europeans expanded race-based slavery due to the decimation of natives in the Americas and the labor demands of New World crops.
Columbian Exchange
- The exchange of flora and fauna led to many benefits for the Europeans and to the destruction of the native population, especially in the Americas.
- The development of a global economy.
- The slave trade became an important part of the global economy.
Commercial Revolution
- Innovations in banking and finance led to the beginnings of a money economy.
- The Price Revolution led to inflation, expansion of the market economy, and commercialization of agriculture.
- Serfdom disappeared in Western Europe but was codified into law in Eastern Europe.
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