Unit 1 - Renaissance and Exploration and New Monarchs (1450-1648)

PEOPLE + TERMS TO KNOW

Renaissance (1350-1550)

cultural and artistic movement that began in Italy in the 14th century, characterized by a revival of the classics, emphasis on humanism, individualism, literature, the arts, etc.

individualism

personal credit to one’s achievements (opposed to idea of all glory to God)

Italian city states

the hot spot of the Renaissance - the first place where intellectual and artistic developments took place, also a center for trade and commerce

In these states, struggle for power, led to rise of signors and republics (dominated by wealthy families), notability the Medici and other influential families. KNOW THIS: Italian states are politically decentralized (need to be unified)

Medici familiy

The Medici’s used the wealth gained from baking, to establish themselves as rulers of the Florentine Republic, and rulers of the city (representative of status during the Renaissance, those who were wealthy were on top (often times merchants/businessman))

Papal states

internal tensions within city states continued to increase long term warfare. After internal conflicts, the numerous city states had been narrowed to a few dominant states, Florence, Milan, Venice, and the papal states in central Italy (under the role of Pope) - signifies the Pope’s influence

Patrons

wealthy Italian merchants became patrons of the arts (supporting the creation of art), insisted on secular forms of art, representing them + their wealth (as seen in portraiture). One main patron that supported artists were the Medici family, contributing to the cultural development of the Renaissance. This also boosted artists’ status.

Humanism

Italian Renaissance ideal that exemplified human potential and their role in studying classical texts, learning classical languages, emphasizing reason, and individualism. Focused on the human experience rather than religious values. Contributed to a focus on secularism.

Secularism

less emphasis on religion, due to the rise of Renaissance ideals of individualism and humanism, but did not remove religion completely (still exists)

Francisco Petrarch

considered the father of Humanism, who studied the classics. Read the works of Cicero, he contributed to humanist goals of Petrarch

Cicero

ancient Roman philosopher who contributed to goals of Petrarch

Plato

another key aspect of the Italian Renaissance was the revival of Greek classics. Plato was an ancient Greek philosopher. Had a positive view of human potential, contributing to Renaissance thought.

Pico della Mirandola (Oration on the Dignity of Man)

human potential reflected, similar to Plato

Florentine Platonic Academy

merged Platonic philosophy with Christianity, leading to the creation of Neoplatonism (religion was still relevant)

civic humanists

Petrarch’s work inspired young Florentines. They viewed Cicero’s involvement in political causes as justification, that they should use their classical education rot the public good and civic life.

Castiglione’s (The Courtier) - 1528

This book served to be a guide of the ideal man. They would be a man who knew several languages, familiar with classical texts, or skilled in the arts, known as The Renaissance Man.

Lorenzo Valla (Donation of Constantine)

critical figure of the Renaissance, contributed to he analyzing of texts, showed how languages changed over time (fief) + looked for mistranslations.

Leonard Bruni

create educational program for women, highlighting that women should also given an access to a classical education, but was limited (not involved politically)

Christine de Pisan (The City of Ladies) - 1405

wealthy woman who received a classical education, countered that women were inferior. She writes how women have to carve out their own spaces (one of the first feminists)

Filippo Brunelleschi

constuscts dome over the Cathedral of Florence. This form of architecture is representative of a revival of classical architecture. Highlighting Renaissance architecture classical motifs, simple symmetrical, linear perspectives, classic domes and columns.

Chiaroscuro

A technique of Renaissance art that involved using contrasts of light and dark to create 3D images.

Single-point perspective

A Renaissance style of art in which the elements of a painting converge at a single point, to show dimension, and create a realistic setting.

High Renaissance

end of the 15th century, where the center of the Renaissance moved from Florence to Rome. lasted until 1520s. Notable artists included: Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michaelangelo.

Mannerism or Late Renaissance

Art emerged after High Renaissance, that showed distorted figures and confusing themes, highlighting the sense of crisis in the Italian world due to the religious and political problems.

Leonardo da Vinci (Mona Lisa)

labeled as a Renaissance Man. engineer, architect, sculptor. Notable painting: Mona Lisa - emphasis on the individual (Renaissance art)

Raphael (The School of Athens)

important commissions in the Vatican palaces. His painting The School of Athens highlights a classical past, where great philosophers, writers, mathematicians are depicted. (Plato and Aristotle) - used classical structure and single point perspective.

Michelangelo (David and the Creation of Adam)

Sculptor, painter, architect of the Renaissance. Notable works of art are his sculpture of David, emphasizing human potential, as well as his ceiling painting in the Sistine Chapel named The Creation of Adam.

Christian Humanism (Northern Renaissance)

The Italian Renaissance spread to northern Europe, named the Northern Renaissance. However, notable thinkers like Erasmus and More referred to it as Christian Humanism, as the Northern Renaissance, concerned Christian belief and understanding, ultimately serving to be a religious movement.

Desiderius Erasmus (In Praise of Folly)

In Praise of Folly is a satirical book that was published by Erasmus as a means of criticizing the problems of the Church. This use of satire reflected the humanist responsibility to reform Christian values and beliefs. Inspired Martin Luther.

Thomas More (Utopia)

English northern humanist. Published Utopia which depicted a civilization where political and economic injustices were limited by communal property. Utopia means “nowhere”.

Albrecht Durer

Northern Renaissance artist known for his woodcuts, in support of the revolution by Martin Luther. His art appealed to peasants who were illiterate, rather than Luther's texts.

Geoffrey Chaucer (Canterbury Tales)

English author - one of many English authors who represented great achievement in arts in northern Europe in the 16th and early 17th centuries.

Elizabethan Rennaissance

In England, many men had exceptional talent during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, due to her cultural awakening during the reign of her cousin, James I.

William Shakespeare (Hamlet and King Lear)

Well known English writer and playwright, who wrote Hamlet and King Lear - both works reflected an understanding of human psyche and dramatic intensity.

Johannes Gutenberg (printing press - 1455)

introduced movable type printing to western Europe in 1455, due to an increase of literature in individuals and universities. The printing press allowed for the dissemination of ideas, contributing to the spread of the Renaissance and Reformation.

Prince Henry the Navigator (1415)

Portugal prince captured ports in North Africa, and sponsored expeditions to develop trade with Africa, and find a route around Africa to India and East Asia. Promoted maritime exploration and navigation during the Age of Exploration.

Bartholomew Dias (1487)

Portuguese explorer sailed around the Cape of Good Hope (tip of Africa). Paved the way for voyages to India.

Vasco de Gama (1498)

Portuguese explorer who reached the coast of India. Established themselves on the western coast of India and controlled the lucrative spice trade. Huge advancements made in exploration by the Portuguese.

Christopher Columbus (1492)

Italian explorer sponsored by Spanish rulers (Ferdinand and Isabella). Tried an Atlantic route to the East, to fulfill Spanish goal of converting the uncivilized to Christianity. Landed in eastern Bahamas, who he called the Indies. Opened the Americas for European exploration.

Ferdinand Magellan (1519)

Set out to circumnavigate the globe, proving that where Columbus was not Asia (to be conquered by the Spanish). Helped with the creation of a world map + proved the world was round!!

Hernan Cortés (1519)

Spanish conquistador, conquering the Aztec Empire (capital Tenochtitlán) in Mexico for the Spanish in 1521 (New Spain). Rebellion ensued in the empire, but were quickly shut down due to the spread of foreign diseases from Europe such as small pox. Also, tech advancements such as guns and horses

Francisco Pizarro (1531)

Spanish explorer who destroyed the Inca Empire in Peru. Western technology and diseases made it impossible for the indigenous people to fight back. Resistance stamped out by the 1560s.

encomienda system

indigenous people were forced to work under this labor system (justified through teaching the uncivilized/non-white people of Christianity, seen in the Bible). Exploited by Spanish colonists to extract agricultural and mineral riches from plantations (instead of education and protection). Bartolome de las Casas (reformer) spoke out against the use of these systems. Led to overwork + disease - large amounts of deaths

New World

Due to the large death rate of the encomienda systems, the Spanish and Portugues captured Afticans to work on their plantations and mines in the New World. Many died on the way their, or due to disease and overwork.

Columbian Exchange

transatlantic ransfer of animal, plants, dideases, technology, slaves and ideas among Europe, Americas, Africas (OLD WORLD v NEW WORLD). Europe and Africa brouguth horses, pigs, goats, suagr cane. From the Americas came squash beans, corn, potatoes. Old World brought bubonic plague and small pox, and New World brought syphilis.

Triangular Trade

facilitated trade between Europe, Americas, Africa (goods, mostly enslaved Africans).

African slaves brought to Americas to harvest raw materials, brought to Europe to produce goods, which were then sold in Africa and America. Different from columbian exchange (focused more generally on OLD WORLD and NEW WORLD).

Mercantilism

had a strong effect on the European government. Governments have to actively regulate the economy. Maintain a favorable balance of trade, by monitoring the import and export of raw materials and goods. Fund the pursuit of precious metals!! - national wealth.

nation-states

first developed in northern Europe during the early modern period and were characterized by a centralization of power, growing bureaucrazation, creation of permanent armies, and increased taxation. Crucial role in the rise of new political systems such as absolutism and constitutionalism. Included: Italy, France, Spain, England, maybe Russia, Portugal

bureaucratization

A structured administrative system to increase efficiency. Officials began to depend on the monarchy. Monarchs were able to centralize power through the office of intendant (collect taxes), often led to corruption.

mercenary armies

The rising cost of warfare due to tech advancements of gun and gunpowder, allowed monarchs to centralize power (they are the ones who had access to resources). Hired by monarchs to handle conflicts efficiently (and they paid them - control over armies).

taxation

In order to pay permanent armies, European leaders (mainly France), implemented taxation policies for the rebellious peasantry to pay. Rebellions shut down by permanent armies. In this early modern period, it was harder to manage costs of a centralized state due to the Price Revolution.

Jean Bodin

16th-century political philosopher advocating for the idea of a sovereign nation, and an absolute ruler.

Niccolo Machiavelli (The Prince) - 1513

horrified by the lack of Italian independence and Spanish and French involvement in Italy (playground for new monarchical activities), says that rulers should be feared than loved, and that a ruler should do anything that is necessary to unify Italy and expel foreigners.

Wars of the Roses

15th century, series of civil wars to determine which aristocratic faction would dominate the monary.

Henry Tudor (Henry VII)

won central authority in England, establishing the Tudor Dynasty and ending the Wars of the Roses.

Queen Elizabeth

Protestant queen of England (educated in Renassiance humanism + known for Elizabethan Renaissance), remained unmarried, and Catholic Mary Stuart was her her

Mary Stuart

Mary, Queen of Scots conspired with Phillip II, Elizabeth entered in a defensive alliance with Scotland, named James the rightful ruler, and executing Mary.

Spanish Armada and Phillip I

Turning point in European power, when Spanish king Phillip II sent a naval fleet to England to invade, but was defeated, ensuring England would remain protestant. Led to decades of cultural flourishing.

Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain

Catholic monarchs who married, and completed reconquista, stamped out any lasting Islamic influence

Spanish Inquisition

Ferdinand and Isabella demanded religious uniformity, expelling Jews and Muslims. Many were persecuted with the Spanish Inquisition, enforced Catholicism and ruled out heresy.

Charles V

grandson of Spanish kings, ruled over a vast HRE, later abdicated after the Peace of Ausburg in 1555.

Battle of Lepanto (1571)

Phillip II defeated the Ottoman Empire with new reaches from New World's silver mines

Golden Bull (Emperor Charles IV) - 1356

constitutional document giving German princes the right to election an emperor (more power given to German princes).

Golden Age in Spain - 16th and 17th centuries

Cervantes, Don Quixote, and El Greco (Spanish painters), later declined due to price revolution