Europe Unit 4 - Renaissance, Reformation, and Exploration

Renaissance

A period of cultural revival and renewed interest in art, literature, and learning in Europe, typically dated from the 14th to the 17th century.

Patron

A wealthy individual or organization that supports artists, writers, and scholars, often through financial contributions.

Perspective

An artistic technique used to create the illusion of depth and space on a flat surface, making objects appear smaller as they recede into the distance.

Vernacular

The everyday language spoken by the people in a particular region, as opposed to the formal language used in literature and academia.

Medici Family

A powerful and influential family in Florence during the Renaissance, known for their patronage of the arts and significant political influence.

Humanism

An intellectual movement during the Renaissance that emphasized the study of classical texts, human potential, and individual achievement.

Gutenberg

A German inventor credited with introducing printing to Europe with his mechanical movable-type printing press around 1440.

Michelangelo

An Italian sculptor, painter, and architect of the Renaissance, known for masterpieces such as the Statue of David and the Sistine Chapel ceiling.

Da Vinci

A polymath of the Renaissance known for his contributions to art, science, and engineering, famous for works like the Mona Lisa.

Machiavelli

An Italian diplomat and philosopher known for his political treatise 'The Prince,' which discusses power and statecraft.

Petrarch

An Italian poet and scholar, often called the 'father of Humanism,' known for his sonnets and his influence on Renaissance literature.

Art during the Renaissance shifted towards realism, perspective, and human emotion, moving away from the religious themes of the Middle Ages.

How did art change during the Renaissance?

Rediscovery of classical texts, the rise of wealthy patrons, advancements in technology (like the printing press), and increased trade and exploration.

What are some factors that helped bring about the Renaissance?

The Printing Press revolutionized the spread of information, making books more accessible, promoting literacy, and facilitating the exchange of ideas during the Renaissance and Reformation.

What is the importance of the printing press?

Reform

The process of making changes to improve a system, particularly in the context of the Protestant Reformation, which sought to address issues within the Catholic Church.

Indulgence

A grant by the Catholic Church that reduced the punishment for sins, often sold to raise funds, which became a major point of contention during the Reformation.

95 Theses

A document written by Martin Luther in 1517 that criticized the Catholic Church's practices, particularly the sale of indulgences, and sparked the Protestant Reformation.

Martin Luther

A German monk and theologian who initiated the Protestant Reformation by challenging the Catholic Church's practices and translating the Bible into German.

Henry VIII

The King of England who initiated the English Reformation by breaking away from the Catholic Church and establishing the Church of England.

Council of Trent

A series of meetings held by the Catholic Church in the mid-16th century to address issues raised by the Protestant Reformation and to reform church practices.

Jesuits

Members of the Society of Jesus, a religious order founded in the 16th century, known for their missionary work and educational efforts during the Counter-Reformation.

Life prior to the invention of the printing press

Characterized by limited access to books and information, with knowledge primarily transmitted orally or through handwritten manuscripts.

Significance of Luther translating the Bible into German

It made the scriptures accessible to the common people, promoting literacy and individual interpretation of the Bible, which was central to the Reformation.

Protestant Reformation

It led to the establishment of various Protestant denominations, challenged the authority of the Catholic Church, and encouraged religious and political changes across Europe.

English Reformation

A series of events in the 16th century that led to the Church of England breaking away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church.

Catholic Reformation

A period of Catholic revival and reform in response to the Protestant Reformation, aimed at addressing corruption and reaffirming Catholic doctrine.