Renaissance - Exploration

Humanism

A philosophy emphasizing the importance of human values and individual potential.

Absolutism

A political system where a monarch holds total power, often justified by the divine right of kings.

95 Theses

Martin Luther’s list of grievances against the Catholic Church, sparking the Protestant Reformation.

Heliocentrism

The astronomical model in which the Sun is at the center of the universe, proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus.

Elliptical Orbits

Kepler's discovery that planets travel in oval-shaped paths around the Sun.

Empiricism

The theory that knowledge is obtained through sensory experience and experimentation, associated with Francis Bacon.

Cogito, ergo sum

The philosophical statement by René Descartes meaning 'I think, therefore I am,' underpinning his rationalism.

Universal Gravitation

Isaac Newton's law stating that every mass attracts every other mass in the universe, foundational to classical physics.

Chinampas

A form of agriculture used by the Aztecs involving floating islands for farming.

Quipu

A record-keeping system used by the Incas involving colored knots on strings.

Divine Right of Kings

The belief that monarchs derive their authority directly from God.

Golden Age

A period marked by great achievements, inventions, and creativity within a civilization.

Guilds

Associations of craftsmen or merchants with common interests and skills.

Indulgences

Payments made to the Catholic Church that were believed to reduce punishment for sins.

Witch Hunts

Persecutions that targeted individuals, often women, accused of witchcraft, prevalent during the Reformation.

The Protestant Reformation

A religious movement initiated by Martin Luther that led to the creation of Protestant churches and significant religious conflicts.

The Scientific Method

A systematic approach to inquiry and experimentation developed during the Scientific Revolution.

Secular

Denoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis.

Absolute Rulers

Monarchs who hold supreme authority and are not restricted by laws or a constitution.

Incas

A South American civilization known for its advanced society, road systems, and agricultural techniques.

Aztecs

A Mesoamerican culture known for its architecture, agriculture, and complex societal structure.