History Unit Test Part: 1 (columbian exchange, humanism, printing press, renaissance)

What time period was the Renissance?

1350-1600

Where did the Renaissance begin?

Started in Italy and spread throughout Europe

What was the Renaissance (answers may vary)

It was a time of learning, invention, and exploration. A “rebirth” of knowledge from the Greek and Roman times. Interest in the arts and learning was renewed among the wealthy and middle class.

Describe Humanism (answers may vary)

It was the belief that humans could achieve anything through their own efforts

How did humanism influence the Renaissance? (answers may vary)

Artists and scholars were more free to experiment and question ideas of the past. It also encouraged people to question what was considered normal.

Describe the Printing Press (answers may vary)

Designed and built by Johannes Gutenberg. One key idea he came up with was movable type. Rather than use wooden blocks to press ink onto paper, Gutenberg used movable metal pieces to create pages quickly. His presses could print thousands of pages per day versus only 40-50 pages with the old method.

Describe some impacts of the printing press (answers may vary)

New methods of communication. Enabled more people to read and write. Ideas were spread quicker than before. It enabled people to connect to each other and different places

Describe the Columbian exchange (answers may vary)

Widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World in the 15th and 16th centuries, related to European colonization and trade after Christopher Columbus's 1492 voyage that was sponsored by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain.

Describe some impacts of the Columbian Exchange.

New diseases were introduced to Native people of the Americas that had no immunities to them. Europeans also introduced to Native people new plants and pests, livestock, diseases. The Columbian Exchange also began the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. Spanish became the main language spoken in many South American countries.

How did the Columbian Exchange influence the Renaissance?

New products, new animals, new diseases spread between the Americas and the Old World.