History of the Modern World Study - Besser

What does Renaissance mean?

a rebirth or revival

What main things changed due to the Renaissance?

trade, interest in culture, education, creativity, change in politics, economy, and social life.

What was the goal of the Renaissance?

They remembered the good life in the Greek and Roman cultures, and wanted to fix poor living conditions from middle ages.

Why did the Renaissance happen in Italy?

Lots of art and architecture to study, the church and "patrons" (rich city states) paid artists, encouraged trade due to proximity of the Mediterranean Sea.

What was Humanism?

An intellectual movement during the Renaissance that focused on human potential and achievements, learning from others, questioning to find truth, as opposed to the religion based works of the time.

What was the Enlightenment?

People questioned everything that was already thought to be known, it was a movement that stressed reason and thought and the power of individuals to solve problems.

Some questions they asked were

What is the best way for a government to rule?

What is the purpose of government?

Are people born with certain rights?

Similarities between the Renaissance and the Enlightenment...

Both believed in free thought, new inventions were made, new ideas about government.

Why did the Age of Exploration begin?

More trade, more religious influence, more territory. (Gold, God, Glory).

Results of the Age of Exploration?

Lots of trade in Europe, wealth up, new goods, mass migration, native civilizations destroyed, mass transportation of African slaves began, Christianity spread, Languages (Spanish and Portuguese spread).

What was the Protestant Reformation?

Movement by people who protested and wanted to reform the Roman Catholic Church

Causes of the Protestant Reformation?

Corrupt churches, indulgences (pay to go to heaven), church wasn't following the bible, abuse of power, new ideas made by Renaissance.

Effects of the Protestant Reformation?

Decline in church power, kings gain power, change in religious beliefs, created Protestantinism.

Who was Martin Luther?

A monk who thought that the church had two much power, wrote the Ninety-five Theses, objected to indulgences, used the Bible to enforce his claims.

What technological advancements led to exploration?

The astrolabe, magnetic compass, and sextant, which helped with navigation through astronomy. The caravel (boat). Gun powder and fire arms.

What was the Scientific Revolution?

drastic change in scientific thought, based on careful observation and a willingness to question

Differences between Renaissance, Reformation and SR?

The Renaissance was cultural, about trade and quality of life. The Reformation was about religion and reforming that. SR was about changing the scientific thought process of the time.

Similarities between Renaissance, Reformation and SR?

The Renaissance and Reformation both worked on religion. All three challenged thought and made new methods of thinking.

Define the divine right of kings?

Belief that the monarchs power comes from God

Versaille was seen as a symbol of...

The absolute monarch, divine royal family and the state itself.

What was the palace of Versaille?

Principal residence of French kings, worth about 50 billion, used up a lot of the people's tax money to fund.

Why did absolute monarchs try to centralize power?

They wanted to have all the power and limit the influence of the nobility.

Negative effects of King Louis XVI during his reign?

Unfair tax system, spent outrageous amounts on his personal property (palace of versaille), no religious tolerance, didn't allow his subjects to have much say in the direction of the country.

Positive effects of Czar Peter the Great during his reign?

Modernized Russia, lead to better economy, education, culture, science, he brought the church under his control, created a stronger navy.

Effects of the Age of Absolutism?

They created large royal courts, which would give more power to the royal family and less to the nobility, more regulations on religion, and the spread of ideas. Wanted absolute control.

What were the beliefs of John Locke? What did they think the best government would be?

Believed people were naturally reasonable and moral. Thought people had natural rights, granted at birth. Rights: Life, Liberty, Prosperity. Best government is a monarchy, oligarchy, or democracy, any form of majority rule, the government must act in ways that support the people, governments are given power by the people.

What were the beliefs of Thomas Hobbes? What did they think the best government would be?

Humans are born cruel and selfish. The people needed an absolute monarch to maintain order in society. The best government was a monarchy, monarch must be feared to keep power, if the people dislike their ruler they should be able to find a new ruler.

What were the beliefs of Jean Jacques Rousseau? What did they think the best government would be?

He believed in individual freedom, natural good in people, equality and concern in the welfare of others. Best government uses a social contract, where everyone must give up some rights in order to help the general community. The best government is a democratic society or state. He believed every society needed a government, but no single form is everywhere the best.

What were the beliefs of Baron de Montesquieu? What did they think the best government would be?

Created the ideas of a legislative, judicial and executive branches, each branch keeps the other in check. Men are ambitious and want power, a government is needed to keep society functioning.

What were the beliefs of Mary Wollstonecraft?

women's education should be equal and meaningful

urged women to enter male dominated fields

What were the beliefs of Adam Smith?

Promoted hard work, wealth was created by labor, people sell things in order to make money not because they are nice (enlightened self-interest).

What concepts did Enlightenment thinkers promote?

They promoted science and reason over faith and decision. They wanted to improve human condition on Earth rather than worry about religion or afterlife. (unfinished)

What was columbian exchange

Mass trade of goods, diseases, people, and ideas across Europe, Africa, and America