Renaissance and Reformation Key Figures and Events

What was the Peasants War?

A major uprising in the German-speaking areas of Europe during the early 16th century, driven by social and economic grievances.

What does 'raison d'état' mean?

A French term meaning 'reason of state,' referring to the principle that the state's interests take precedence over moral or ethical considerations.

Who is Johannes Gutenberg and what is his significance?

A German inventor known for introducing printing to Europe with his mechanical movable-type printing press, which revolutionized the spread of information.

What was the Council of Trent?

An ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church held between 1545 and 1563 to address issues of church reform and counter the Protestant Reformation.

What are the 95 Theses?

A list of propositions for debate by Martin Luther, criticizing the Catholic Church's practices, particularly the sale of indulgences, which sparked the Protestant Reformation.

What was the significance of the Peace of Augsburg?

A treaty signed in 1555 that allowed for the coexistence of Catholicism and Lutheranism in Germany, granting rulers the right to determine their state's religion.

Who was Louis XIV and what was his reign known for?

King of France from 1643 to 1715, known for his absolute monarchy and the establishment of a centralized state, as well as the construction of the Palace of Versailles.

What was the Glorious Revolution?

The 1688 overthrow of King James II of England, leading to the establishment of William and Mary as co-monarchs and the affirmation of parliamentary sovereignty.

What was the Defenestration of Prague?

The event in 1618 where Protestant nobles threw two Catholic officials out of a window, igniting the Thirty Years' War.

Who was Thomas Hobbes and what was his key idea?

An English philosopher known for his social contract theory, particularly articulated in his work 'Leviathan,' where he argued for a strong central authority to avoid chaos.