Midterm- History Western Civilization

What was the effect of the Black Death on Europe by the 15th century?

Killed tens of millions and led to the Renaissance as society recovered.

What did Jacob Burckhardt mean by describing the Renaissance as the 'prototype of the modern world'?

The Renaissance introduced new perspectives, less focused on religion.

Why was Italian geography ideal during the Renaissance?

It was centrally located for Eastern and Western trade, leading to wealth.

What were the Italian city-states?

Individually ruled wealthy states with rich cultures.

How did the Italian city-states become independent?

Constant conflict with each other prevented unification.

What were the big five Italian city-states?

Milan, Florence, Venice, Papal States, Naples.

How were the Italian city-states typically governed?

Despotisms.

What were the four social groups within the city-state of Florence?

Grandi, Popolo Grosso, Burghers, Popolo minuto.

Who were the 'grandi' in Florence?

Ultra wealthy nobles with generational wealth.

Who was Cosimo de Medici?

A wealthy man who gained power after the Ciampi Revolt.

Who was Lorenzo the Magnificent?

A powerful figure who influenced how despots ruled by rigging elections.

What were condottieri?

Military brokers in charge of acquiring mercenary armies.

Why was being a despot (podesta) a dangerous position?

They ruled by force, leading to lack of loyalty.

Who was Petrarch and what did he accomplish?

Father of Humanism; uncovered classical texts and emphasized experience.

What is 'humanism'?

The study of how to be a good human.

What were the 'Studia humanitatis'?

The study of the seven liberal arts of antiquity.

Who was the 'father of humanism'?

Francesco Petrarch.

What was the goal of humanist education?

To be capable of eloquently speaking wisdom.

How did humanists respond to claims that their education was impractical?

Castiglione wrote about being a good courtier; Christine de Pisan advocated for women's education.

What was the significance of the Florentine Academy?

Shifted focus from Aristotle to Plato's writings.

Why did Lorenzo Valla critique Catholic texts?

To prove the Church needed to stop using certain documents.

What did slavery look like during the Renaissance?

Increased due to labor shortages after the Black Death.

How did the French Invasions contribute to Italy's political decline?

They broke the peace among city-states.

What was the Treaty of Lodi?

Unified Florence, Milan, and Venice to balance power.

How did Ludovico il Moro invite disaster into Italy?

He wanted all the power, but the treaty holds him back so he commits cardinal sin and invites the French in and therefore broke the treaty

Who was Charles VIII and what did he do?

King of France who invaded Italy upon Ludovico's invitation.

Who was Girolamo Savonarola?

A monk who predicted the French invasion and took control of Florence.

What was the League of Venice?

An alliance between Venice, the Holy Roman Empire, and France.

Who was Louis XII and what did he do?

New King of France, invaded the Italian peninsula and was aided by pope Alexander VI who annulled his marriage

Who was Pope Alexander VI?

Annulled Louis XII's marriage and gained power in Italy.

Who was Pope Julius II?

A significant pope during the Renaissance period.

Who was Niccolo Machiavelli?

A Florentine diplomat who believed in realism and political leadership for stability.

What was Machiavelli's political philosophy?

He believed the absence of civic virtue caused factionalism and supported ruthless rulers.

What was the significance of new alliances between kings and towns?

They centralized royal power, weakened feudal nobility, and established standing armies.

How did monarchs centralize their authority?

By concentrating political powers with the king having ultimate authority.

Who was Louis XI?

King of France who doubled the size of the empire.

Who were Isabella of Castille and Ferdinand of Aragon?

They united Spain through marriage and expelled Muslims.

What did Isabella and Ferdinand do?

1) Kicked out muslims

2) Made Naples in Spanish possession

3) Ended religious toleration (not good)

4) Contracted anti-French allies

5) Sponsored overseas exploration (Columbus, 1492)

What was the civil warfare in England during this period?

The House of York fought the House of Lancaster over the throne.

Who was Henry VII?

He ended blood feuds by marrying Elizabeth of York, creating the Tudor legacy.

Who was Emperor Charles IV?

Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire who created the Golden Bull.

What was the Reichstag?

A legislative assembly that recommended laws to the emperor.

What was the significance of the printing press?

It made book production easier, changing education and accessibility.

Who was Erasmus?

A satirist and philosopher who wrote 'In Praise of Folly' and sought to unite classics with Christian thought.

What was the Reuchlin Affair?

Reuchlin promoted studying Jewish texts, leading to disagreement among former Jews.

Who was Sir Thomas More?

He wrote 'Utopia' and was beheaded by Henry VIII.

How did humanism enter the service of the Catholic Church in Spain?

It prompted the study of original religious texts and classical languages.

Who was Prince Henry 'the Navigator'?

Ruler of Portugal who invested in sailor schools and improved ship design.

How did the Portuguese begin the African slave trade?

They bought African slaves after discovering the trade during their voyages.

What was the Silk Road?

A land trade route that was dangerous and heavily taxed.

Who was Bartholomew Dias?

He rounded the Cape of Storms.

Who was Vasco da Gama?

He completed the voyage to India.

Who was Columbus?

He was hired by Spain to find the New World and landed in the Bahamas.

What was the Columbian Exchange?

A transfer of goods, including lamas, vegetables, and diseases between the New World and Europe.

What was the Spanish economy of exploitation?

They forced Native Americans to work in mines for gold and silver.

What was a hacienda?

A large estate or plantation in Spanish colonies with high social status.

Who were 'peninsulares'?

People born in Spain who moved to the colonies, holding high status.

Who were 'creoles'?

People of mixed Native and Spanish descent.

What was the Repartimiento?

A system of Native American slavery.

What was the impact of the New World on Europe?

Increased skepticism, inflation, and a shift towards capitalism.

Who was Bartolome de Las Casas?

He wrote about the abuses in the New World, amplifying awareness.

What was the 'Black Legend'?

The narrative that Spanish encounters led to rape and death, exaggerating their brutality.

Where did the Reformation begin?

Germany and Switzerland

What were the social and political divisions within most German cities during the sixteenth century?

Division between Protestants and Catholics

What did Protestants want regarding religious practices?

To read and write in the common tongue and read the Bible privately

What was the Medieval Benefice System?

A system where priests could be listed in one place but live elsewhere

What were indulgences?

Payments for a paper with a papal seal that could help reduce purgatory time

Who was John Tetzel?

A preacher who guilted people into paying for indulgences

Who was Martin Luther?

A theologian who questioned church practices and wrote about them

What was Luther's crisis of faith about?

He questioned how anyone could be saved given the 'righteousness of God'

What does 'sola fide' mean?

Salvation by faith alone

What were Luther's 95 Theses?

A list of issues he uncovered about the church

What was Luthers argument in "Address to the Christian nobility"?

Politics overstepping in religion

What was Luther's argument in "Babylonian captivity of the Church"?

Contradiction between Popes

Why was Luther excommunicated by the pope?

His pamphlets were spread everywhere and the pope was done with him

What was the Schmalkaldic League?

A coalition of Protestant churches for mutual protection

What was the significance of the Peasants Revolt (1524-25)?

Inspired by Luther but opposed by him, leading to many deaths

Who was Ulrich Zwingli?

High priest of Zurich who enacted significant reforms

What reforms did Zwingli enact in Zurich?

1) If it literally isn't stated in the Bible, you can do it! (Priests can

have sex now)

2) Scriptures alone should be the basis of religious practice (Led to iconoclasm)

3) Believed communion was only a symbol of Christ's real presence

What was the Marburg Colloquy?

A meeting where Luther and Zwingli disagreed on communion

Who were the Anabaptists?

Followers of Zwingli who rejected infant baptism and believed in non-violence

Who was John Calvin?

A reformer who had a significant impact on the Reformation in Geneva

What was Calvin's understanding of Predestination?

The belief that some are predestined to be elect or damned

How did Calvin govern the city of Geneva?

Made 5 rules: no drinking alcohols, no dancing, no begging, no

theater, women cant speak freely in the church

• Harsh penalties including, excommunication, exile, imprisonment

and even execution but also easy penalties of paying money

• became a safe place for Calvin followers away from Catholics

What was the significance of the Diet of Augsburg?

An assembly to address Protestant-Catholic divisions in the HRE

What was the significance of the Peace of Augsburg?

Allowed rulers to determine the religion of their territories

Who was Henry VIII?

King of England known for breaking away from the Catholic Church

Why did Henry VIII break away from the Catholic Church?

He wanted to divorce his wife Catherine

What did the Reformation Parliament accomplish?

Made Henry VIII the head of the Church of England