USHISTORY TEST

9/25

Renaissance and the Spread of Ideas

Ideas spread through the printing press, trade, universities, and cities; sped up reform and art

Renaissance Characteristics

Classical revival; focus on humanism, individualism, secular themes, and realism in art

Humanism

Value of human reason and study of the humanities to improve self and society

Individualism

Emphasis on personal achievement, fame, and unique identity

Greek and Roman Influence

Classical art, architecture, and texts guided style, politics, and education

Secularism

Interest in worldly subjects and civic life alongside religion

The Prince by Machiavelli

Advice to rulers to keep power and stability even with harsh methods (ends can justify means)

Role of the Printing Press

Mass production of books; faster, cheaper spread of ideas; literacy increased

Impact on Ordinary People (Renaissance)

Cheaper books and pamphlets meant more literacy, new jobs, and space to question authority

Neo-Confucianism

Revived Confucian ethics blended with Buddhist/Daoist ideas; promoted order and hierarchy

Filial Piety

Duty to parents and ancestors; model for loyalty to rulers and social obedience

Connection with Government Positions

Civil service exams tested Confucian texts; moral conduct tied to office

Causes of the Protestant Reformation

Church corruption (indulgences, politics), humanism, printing press, calls for scriptural authority

Martin Luther’s Role

Posted 95 Theses (1517); taught salvation by faith alone and the Bible as sole authority

95 Theses

Arguments against indulgences; called for reform and open debate

Catholic Church Response

Counter-Reformation: Council of Trent, Jesuits, inquisitions; reformed abuses and reaffirmed doctrine

Safavid Empire

Persian empire (1501–1736) that built a Shi’ite state and rivaled the Sunni Ottomans

Shi’ite Islam under Shah Ismail I

Made Twelver Shi’ism the state creed to unify Persia and legitimize rule

Challenge to Sunni Dominance

Religious rivalry with Sunni Ottomans; wars reshaped regional power

Impact of These Movements on Ordinary People

New sects, persecution and migration; some gained literacy, rights, or new roles

Challenging Existing Power Structures

Print, reformers, and new states weakened church/elite monopolies; empowered new actors

Principle #1

Challenges to power looked different by region and rulers’ choices

Principle #2

Printing press, gunpowder, and empire growth forced new ruling tactics

Principle #3

New empires and ideas pressured religious traditions from above and below

Principle #4

Trade and colonization linked economies across regions

Principle #5

Rising wealth funded standing armies and stronger borders