Unit 1 Vocab & Important Events

Renaissance

A cultural and intellectual movement that revived classical learning and emphasized humanism.

Humanism

An intellectual movement focusing on human potential and achievements, inspired by classical texts.

Secularism

A focus on non-religious, worldly matters rather than spiritual concerns.

Individualism

The idea that individuals should strive for personal excellence and recognition.

Civic Humanism

The belief that education should prepare leaders for civic affairs and governance.

Patronage

The financial support of artists and intellectuals by wealthy individuals, such as the Medici family.

Vernacular

The use of local language instead of Latin, making literature more accessible.

Printing Press

Invented by Johannes Gutenberg; it revolutionized the spread of ideas, literacy, and religious reform.

Perspective

A technique in painting that creates the illusion of depth, widely used in Renaissance art.

Mannerism

An artistic style that emerged after the High Renaissance, emphasizing exaggerated poses and emotion.

Caravel

A small, fast, maneuverable ship used during exploration.

Astrolabe

A navigational instrument used to determine latitude.

Mercantilism

An economic theory that emphasized accumulating wealth through a favorable balance of trade and colonial expansion.

Columbian Exchange

The transfer of goods, ideas, diseases, and people between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Encomienda System

A Spanish labor system that forced Indigenous Americans to work for Spanish settlers in return for supposed protection and Christianization.

Conquistadors

Spanish explorers and conquerors who expanded Spanish territories in the Americas.

Triangular Trade

A trade system linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas, including the Atlantic Slave Trade.

Price Revolution

A period of high inflation in Europe due to an influx of gold and silver from the Americas.

Commercial Revolution

The expansion of trade, banking, and capitalism in Europe, spurred by exploration and colonization.

Italian Renaissance Begins

Revival of classical learning and humanist ideals in Florence around c. 1350.

Fall of Constantinople

The Ottoman Empire captures Constantinople in 1453, pushing Greek scholars to flee to Italy, bringing classical texts that fuel the Renaissance.

Printing Press Invented

Johannes Gutenberg’s invention around c. 1450 allows for mass production of books, spreading Renaissance and Reformation ideas.

High Renaissance

The peak of Renaissance art and culture occurring in the 1490s to 1527, featuring works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.

Prince Henry the Navigator Founds Navigation School

Portugal invests in maritime exploration in 1419, leading to the mapping of Africa’s coast.

Bartolomeu Dias Rounds the Cape of Good Hope

Portuguese explorer proves a sea route to Asia is possible in 1488.

Columbus Reaches the Americas

Spanish-sponsored voyage in 1492 leads to European colonization of the New World.

Treaty of Tordesillas

A 1494 agreement where Spain and Portugal divide newly discovered lands outside Europe along a demarcation line set by the Pope.

Vasco da Gama Reaches India

First European to sail directly to India in 1498, establishing direct trade with Asia.

Amerigo Vespucci’s Voyages

Explorations around 1501–1502 lead to the realization that the Americas are separate continents, not part of Asia.

Ferdinand Magellan’s Voyage

His expedition from 1519 to 1522 is the first to circumnavigate the globe, proving the world’s roundness.

Hernán Cortés Conquers the Aztecs

Spanish forces defeat the Aztec Empire in Mexico between 1519 and 1521.

Francisco Pizarro Conquers the Incas

Spanish forces capture and kill the Incan emperor Atahualpa, expanding Spanish rule in South America in 1532-1533.

Columbian Exchange Begins

Exchange of crops, animals, diseases, and culture between the Old and New Worlds during the 1500s to 1600s.

Petrarch

"Father of Humanism"; revived classical texts and promoted secular study.

Niccolò Machiavelli

Wrote The Prince, arguing that rulers should be pragmatic and sometimes ruthless in maintaining power.

Erasmus

A Christian humanist who wrote In Praise of Folly, criticizing Church corruption.

Thomas More

Wrote Utopia, envisioning an ideal society based on communal ownership and rational governance.

Baldassare Castiglione

Wrote The Book of the Courtier, outlining the ideal Renaissance gentleman and courtly behavior.

Leonardo da Vinci

"Renaissance Man"; painter (*Mona Lisa*, The Last Supper), scientist, and inventor.

Michelangelo

Sculptor and painter (*David*, Sistine Chapel Ceiling, Pieta).

Raphael

Painter (*The School of Athens*), famous for blending classical themes with Renaissance ideals.

Prince Henry the Navigator

Portuguese royal who funded early maritime explorations.

Bartolomeu Dias

First to round the southern tip of Africa.

Vasco da Gama

First European to reach India by sea, opening lucrative trade routes.

Christopher Columbus

Italian explorer who landed in the Americas in 1492, mistakenly believing he had reached Asia.

Amerigo Vespucci

Explorer who identified the Americas as a "New World," leading to their name.

Ferdinand Magellan

Led the first voyage to circumnavigate the globe.

Hernán Cortés

Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztecs in Mexico.

Francisco Pizarro

Spanish conquistador who defeated the Incas in Peru.

Bartolomé de las Casas

Spanish priest who criticized the treatment of Native Americans and advocated for their rights.