European Early Modern Era

The Renaissance, Reformation, Scientific Revolution, and Enlightenment

Themes of the Renaissance

humanism, secularism, individualism

Humanism

the study of Greek and Roman (classic) ideas, that humans could use their minds to study and learn about the world

Secularism

focus on the non-religious world, here and now instead of afterlife, material instead of religious pursuits

Individualism

the belief that all people are unique, focus on individual achievements and standing out

revival of antiquity

the rebirth of Greek and Roman culture in artistic, literary, and philosophical works

the Northern Renaissance

the spread of the Renaissance from the Italian peninsula to the rest of Europe

Erasmus

a Dutch writer, wrote mainly satirical works that shared his ideas about education, the Church, and a meaningful life

The Abbot and the Learned Woman

satirical book by Erasmus, challenged clergy’s education

Pope/Papacy

the head of the Catholic Church, had power of excommunicationC

clergy

all religious officials in the Church, tasked with teaching the Bible, took vows of celibacy, before Reformation highly uneducated

salvation

the Christian belief of being saved, going to heaven after death. One could achieve salvation by doing good works, which included buying indulgences.

Purgatory

a “cleansing and purifying” place between heaven and hell, one would go there after death to work of sins, time depended on number of sins

heresy/heretic

a false Christian, one who spreads false information about the Bible or challenged the Church’s interpretation

social causes of the Reformation

the printing press helped to spread ideas, the themes and ideas of the Renaissance

political causes of the Reformation

challenges to the Pope’s authority, monarchs saw a potential gain in power

economic causes of the Reformation

the clergy and Church had inflated wealth, high taxes for merchants, indulgences disadvantaged the poor

religious causes of the Reformation

the clergy was corrupt, breaking celibacy vows and too interested in secular pursuits; indulgences and the idea of “selling” salvation

95 Theses

Luther’s list of grievances against the Church, became widespread because of the printing press; gained him followers (Protestants)

Diet/Edict of Worms

Luther’s trial after being excommunicated, charged with heresy by Charles V; refused to recant ideas

Protestant Reformation

the protest against the Church that led to the split between Catholics and Protestants, start of war and conflict across Europe

Catholic Reformation (Counter-Reformation)

Catholic Church wanted to make reforms and reestablish power after Protestant Reformation

Jesuits

founded schools throughout Europe, became well-educated in theology and classics, converted to Catholicism and aimed to halt spread of Protestantism

The Inquisition

judicial process to investigate heresy within Church, used religion as an excuse for interrigation, torture, and execution

Index of Prohibited Books

banning and destroying of “heretical “books that went against the Catholic Church

Council of Trent

council that passed doctrines for reform: Church interpretation of Bible was final, faith and good works were needed for salvation, the Bible and Church were equal in authority, and indulgences (although not the false sale) were valid

effects of the Reformation

ended Christian unity in Europe, Protestantism and Catholicism grew; led to the development of modern states as monarchs gained more power, also led to questioning of popular beliefs

geocentric theory

developed by Aristotle and widely accepted until 1600s, stated Earth was center of the universe and the Sun and other planets revolved around it. Also claimed Heaven was fixed and pure, planets were perfect orbs of substance

Copernicus

developed heliocentric theory but didn’t reveal it until his death out of fear of the Church

Galileo

observed planetary evidence that confirmed heliocentric theory (Jupiter’s moons, surface of Moon) and published findings in Starry Messenger. Was put on trial for heresy, but plead guilty and took back ideas

Johannes Kepler

assistant to Tycho Brahe, proved heliocentric theory using Brahe’s data; also discovered the elliptical motion of planets

Francis Bacon

“father of modern science”, created experimental method and scientific method (logical procedure for gathering and testing ideas)

Isaac Newton

physicist, discovered universal gravitation, laws of physics, and calculus, published findings in books considered most influential of Scientific Revolution

Andreas Vesalius

observed human anatomy through dissections (although against Church), discovered women and men had same number of ribs (disproved Adam and Eve theory)

William Harvey

observations through dissections, discovered function of blood and heart

Maria Sibylla Merian

botany, zoology, entomology; discovered metamorphosis and observed bugs

effects of the Scientific Revolution

careful observation and scientific method became widespread; discovery of scientific instruments (barometer, thermometer, microscope)

Absolutism

government philosophy where one lead has total control over all aspects of society (religion, education, economy, laws)

Divine Right of Kings

monarchs’ justification for Absolutism, states that God created monarchy

cause of monarch power gain (Enlightenment)

wealth from colonies, Church losing authority, decline of feudalism

King Louis XIV

absolutist ruler, built palace of Versailles, flaunted wealth and lived lavishly

key beliefs of Enlightenment thinkers (5)

reason, nature, happiness, progress, liberty

Baron de Montesquieu

wanted division of power between government branches to prevent tyranny, believed people acted for their own gain

Jean Jacques Rosseau

believed private property led to war and conflict, people are naturally good but society corrupts

Voltaire

believed in tolerance of people, religions, ideas, as well as freedom of speech andq expression

Cesare Beccaria

wanted criminal justice reform, believed innocent until proven guilty, no torture, fair and speedy trial

Mary Wollstonecraft

believed women needed education to development minds, pushed for women in medical and science fields

Thomas Paine

wanted separation of church and state, disliked organized religion, promoted reason and free thoughts

legacy of the Enlightenment

new thoughts about society, shaped American and French revolutions, age of questioning, reason, and logic