European History Flashcards

What were the motives for exploration?

Glory, Greed, Religious zeal

• exploration famed as bring “light” (christianity) to those in darkness; justification tied to religious expansion after Catholicism’s retreat in Western Europe

• many economic and political motives connected to religious motive (hide behind)

Prester John

fabled Christian king in Asia/Africa, hope for crushing islamic powers

Effects of Expansion

• Goods: precious metals

• Technology:

• Foreign Sovereignty:

• Disease:

Prince Henry the Navigator & Portuguese Empire

• 1394 - 1460

• Sponsored Portuguese exploration of West Africa

  • Search for a Christian ally against muslims

  • Opening up new trade routes

• As a result, Portugal built commercia/maritime trade empire along the African coast and into the Indian Ocean

Christopher Columbus

• westward route to China/India

• funded by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand

• landed in Hispaniola

Spanish Exploration

• conquered Aztec and Incan Empires

• held much Colonial power in the New world

Treaty of Tordesillas

• mediated by Pope

• divided the New World between Portugal and Spain

• separated territory along a meridian line

  • Portugal - West Africa, India, west coast of South America

  • Spain - rest of the New World

Christian Humanism

intellectual movement during the 2nd half of the 15th century that applied Renaissance humanist tools (classical texts, philology) to Christian scripture

Erasmus

• leading Christian humanist

• Believed in humans capacity to reason/improve

• pushed for wider access to scripture via the printing press

Thomas More

• wrote Utopia

• Lord Chancellor to under Henry VIII

• defended Catholic orthodoxy against Henry VII’s break with Rome

• executed for refusing to accept Act of Supremacy

Principle of Toleration

Ability to accept people of different religions and cultures

Reasons for Reformation

• Papal corruption/secularization - Papacy’s political power grew (resistance from monarchies)

• Pluralism - clergy holding multiple positions, which led to absentee/unqualified officeholders

• Indulgences - paying to reduce punishment for sins

  • Salvation for the rich/powerful

• Church emphasis on wealth/power over spiritual guidance

Martin Luther

95 Theses - written document of Martin Luthers grievances with the Catholic Church (primarily indulgences)

Sola Fide - believed in Salvation through Faith alone

Sola Scripture - believed the Bible should be the sole ultimate authority for religious truth

Edict of Worms (1521) - Luther is heretic/outlaw in Holy Roman Empire and excommunicated from Catholic Church