Midterm Key Events

The Decameron

A collection of 100 short stories by Giovanni Boccaccio set during the Black Death.

Filomena

One of the storytellers in The Decameron, known for her wit.

Cuius regio, eius religio

A principle from the Peace of Augsburg stating that the ruler of a territory could determine its religion.

The Prince

A political treatise by Niccolò Machiavelli advocating pragmatic governance.

The 95 Theses

A document by Martin Luther criticizing the Catholic Church's practice of selling indulgences.

Hernán Cortés

The Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire.

Peace of Augsburg

A treaty signed in 1555 that ended religious conflict in the Holy Roman Empire.

Edict of Nantes

A decree issued in 1598 by King Henry IV of France granting rights to Huguenots.

Storming of the Bastille

A key event in the French Revolution where revolutionaries captured the fortress on July 14, 1789.

Reign of Terror

A period during the French Revolution characterized by extreme political violence and mass executions.

Realism vs. Idealism

A key theme in The Prince, contrasting practical governance with moralistic approaches.

Cunning, decisiveness, and adaptability

Traits identified by Machiavelli as essential for effective rulers.

Martin Luther

A German monk and theologian who initiated the Protestant Reformation.

Maximilien Robespierre

A key figure during the French Revolution, associated with the Reign of Terror.

Montezuma II

The last Aztec emperor, who ruled during the Spanish conquest led by Hernán Cortés.

Constitutional Monarchy

A system of governance established in England after the Glorious Revolution.

Guillotine

A device used for executions during the Reign of Terror, symbolizing mass executions.

Black Death

A deadly plague that influenced the setting of The Decameron.

Fortune and Virtù

Concepts in The Prince that explain the interplay between luck and skill in political success.