Study Guide for Final Exam Western Civilization

These flashcards cover key concepts, events, and figures from Western Civilization as outlined in the study guide, providing definitions and important historical context.

Western Civilization

A self-conscious entity characterized by distinct values such as Christianity, democracy, and individual liberty.

Christianity

The fundamental value of Western civilization, which shaped its cultural and moral framework.

Democracy

A form of government in which the power is vested in the people, typically through elected representatives.

Rule of Law

The principle that all individuals and institutions are accountable to the law, which must be fairly applied and enforced.

Individual Liberty

The freedom of individuals to act as they choose, within the confines of law.

Byzantine Empire

The Eastern Roman Empire that flourished after the fall of Rome, especially under Emperors Justinian and Theodora.

Justinian’s Corpus Juris Civilis

A codification of Roman law issued by Emperor Justinian, which influenced many legal systems.

Hagia Sophia

A historic architectural masterpiece in Istanbul originally constructed as a cathedral by Justinian.

Germanic Tribes

Various groups, such as the Angles and Saxons, that invaded and conquered parts of the Roman Empire.

Clovis

The founder of the Frankish kingdom around 500 AD, known for his conversion to Christianity.

Christianization of the Anglo-Saxons

The process through which the Anglo-Saxon tribes in Britain converted to Christianity, influenced by missionaries.

Pope Gregory I

An important church leader known for his contributions to the church and the rise of papal power.

Doctrine of Purgatory

A Catholic belief in a transitional state where souls are purified before entering heaven.

Transubstantiation

The Catholic doctrine that bread and wine used in the Eucharist become the actual body and blood of Christ.

Norman Conquest

The invasion and occupation of England by the Normans led by William the Conqueror in 1066.

Magna Carta

A charter signed in 1215 that limited the powers of the king and established certain legal rights.

Crusades

Military campaigns sanctioned by the church aimed at reclaiming the Holy Land from Muslim control.

Black Death

A devastating plague that struck Europe in the 14th century, leading to significant social and economic upheaval.

Avignon Papacy

A period during the 14th century when seven successive popes resided in Avignon instead of Rome.

Great Papal Schism

A split within the Catholic Church where multiple claimants to the papacy existed.

Council of Constance

A church council that resolved the Great Schism, reaffirmed papal authority, and addressed church reform.

Renaissance

A period of revival in art, literature, and intellectual pursuit in Europe during the 14th to 17th centuries.

Humanism

An intellectual movement emphasizing human potential and achievements, often through classical studies.

Machiavelli

An Italian diplomat and philosopher known for his political treatise, 'The Prince,' advocating realpolitik.

Gutenberg's printing press

An invention that revolutionized the spread of information and ideas in Europe, emerging around 1450.

Luther’s 95 Theses

A document by Martin Luther criticizing church practices, primarily the sale of indulgences.

Diet of Worms

An assembly in 1521 where Martin Luther defended his writings and beliefs before the Holy Roman Emperor.

Anabaptists

A Christian movement advocating for adult baptism and separation of church and state.

The Council of Trent

A council held by the Catholic Church in response to the Protestant Reformation to address doctrinal issues.

Act of Supremacy

Legislation passed in 1534 declaring the monarch as the Supreme Head of the Church of England.

Elizabethan Settlement

Queen Elizabeth I’s approach to establishing a middle ground in religious practices and governance.

Puritanism

A religious reform movement within the Church of England aimed at purifying worship and doctrine.

Hampton Court Conference

A 1604 conference where Puritan leaders presented their grievances to King James I.

English Civil War

A conflict (1642-1651) between Parliamentarians and Royalists over governance and authority.

William Laud

An archbishop known for his opposition to Puritan reforms and support of rituals in the Church of England.

Glorious Revolution

The 1688 overthrow of King James II that established William and Mary as co-monarchs in England.

Bill of Rights (1689)

A foundational document outlining the rights of Parliament and limiting the powers of the monarchy.

Enlightenment

An intellectual movement emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority.

Rene Descartes

A philosopher known for his statement 'Cogito, ergo sum' and his foundational work in modern philosophy.

John Locke

A philosopher advocating for empiricism and the idea of the mind as a blank slate (tabula rasa).

French Absolutism

A political doctrine wherein the monarch holds supreme autocratic authority, exemplified by Louis XIV.

Nicolaus Copernicus

An astronomer who proposed a heliocentric model of the universe, challenging geocentric views.