Europe—Age of Enlightenment and Revolution

Renaissance

A period in Europe marking the ‘rebirth’ of classical culture, beginning in Northern Italy.

Humanism

The idea that writers, thinkers, and artists use reason rather than strictly religious doctrine to understand the universe.

Empiricism

The theory that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience; foundational for scientific inquiry.

Rationalism

The theory that knowledge is acquired through deduction and reason, rather than sensory experience.

Crusades

Military campaigns in the Middle Ages that stimulated trade between Western Europe and the Middle East, contributing to the wealth of Italian city-states.

Classical heritage

The cultural legacy of Ancient Greece and Rome that was rediscovered during the Renaissance.

Intellectual landscape of the Middle Ages

Characterized by the dominance of the Church, which influenced art and thought.

Humanist clergy

Most of the earliest humanists were members of the clergy who sought a better life on earth rather than only salvation after death.

Reasonable explanations

The pursuit of rational and logical understanding of the world around us, key to Humanist thought.

De Medici

Patron of the Arts in Florence, Italy. They were political leaders and influencers in the church.

Michelangelo

Created the sculpture of David which is considered the “spirit” of the Renaissance. Also created the painting at the Sistine Chapel.

Castiglione

Book of the Courtier

Shakespeare

One of the most important of all English writers (Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet)

Raphael

Good example of renaissance art with religious focus. Specialty Madonna and Child(Mary and baby Jesus)

Sir Thomas More

Utopia

Da Vinci

Known as the “Renaissance” man. Writer, scientist, and the artist of Mona Lisa and The Last Supper

Erasmus

Monk coin the church who was critical of church practices. Used satire to try to bring about change. In Praise of Folly

Machiavelli

Political adviser to the Rulers of Italy. Wrote a book called “The Prince”

Boccaccio

Writer of popular fiction; wrote in the “vernacular” Italian; wrote a book called Decameron

Cabot

Claimed Eastern Canada for England

Cartier

Claimed Eastern Canada for France

De Champlain

Founder of Quebec. First French settlement

LaSalle

Sailed the Mississippi, opened up the Ms. Valley to the French

Magellan

First to lead an expedition around the world

Columbus

New World

DeSoto

First European to see the Mississippi River

Dias

Sailed to the southern reaches of Africa (“Cape of Storms”)

Da Gama

Sailed around Africa to India

Pizzaro

Conquered the Incas

Cortez

Conquered the Aztecs

Vespucci

American continents named after him (“Amerigo”)

Balboa

First to see the Pacific from the American continent (Panama) “South Seas”

Hudson

Claimed a large part of the NE United States for England and the Dutch

Drake

First Englishman to sail around the world.

Prince Henry

Called the “Navigator”

Coronado

First European to see the Great Canyon

DeLeon

Claimed Florida for Spain

What are the three G’s?

Gold, God, Glory

Reformation

16th century (1500’s) religious and political movement that introduced new Christian denominations in Western Europe

Martin Luther

Wrote the “95 Theses”

The Glorious Revolution

Revolution in England that forced the last Stuart Monarch from the English throne.

John Locke

English philosopher who believed that people were born with “Natural Rights”

Cromwell

He was known has the Lord Protector of England, after the Puritan Revolution

Continental System

This program, initiated by Napoleon, was designed to damage England’s economy

Predestination

The most controversial and misunderstood of John Calvin’s theological ideas

Drake

The first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe

King Charles II

His nickname was the “Merry Monarch.” He restored the monarchy to England after the Puritan Revolution

Adams Smith

He believed that individuals were best qualified to make their own personal economic decisions

King Henry VIII

Founded the Church of England by issuing the Act of Supremacy which was passed by Parliment

King Charles I

King that was executed as a result of the Puritan Revolution

Corando

The first European to see the Grand Canyon

Gutenberg

He invented a movable type that revolutionized the flow of information in Western Europe

Napoleon

French dictator/emperor who nearly conquered the European continent

Estates

The social and economic groups in pre-revolutionary France

Mercantilism

Gov’t controls macro economy to insure a favorable trade balance. Gold was a key issue

Capitalism

Private ownership of the means of production. Decision making. Micro economy. Increased capital and new markets created some very wealthy members of the middle class

What was the idea of Reformation?

The idea that it was ok to ask why.

What is the Peace of Augsburg?

A document that allowed for local noble men to determine what religion the people in his areas would practice. (Didn’t solve the problem, but did set the example)

What was the Council of Trent trying to accomplish?

To try to stop the spread of Protestantism as well as reform certain practices in the church