Modern World History Midterm Study Guide: Renaissance & Reformation

Unit 1: Renaissance & Reformation

  • Key Terms

    1. Republic: A government where citizens elect leaders

    2. Vernacular: Language spoken by ordinary people

    3. Humanism: Movement focused on classical learning and human potential

    4. Predestination: Belief that God has chosen who will be saved

    5. Indulgence: Paying for release from punishment for sin

    6. Christian Humanism: Reform ideas based on education and reason

    7. Justification: Belief that faith alone saves humans

    8. Lutheranism: First major Protestant faith

  • Important Figures

    • Leonardo da Vinci: Ideal Renaissance artist and inventor, known for The Last Supper and Mona Lisa.

    • Martin Luther: Initiated the Protestant Reformation with 95 Theses, challenging the Catholic Church.

    • Jesuits: Led the Catholic Counter-Reformation through education and missionary work.

  • Comprehension Notes

    • Renaissance wealth funded art, scholarship, and powerful governments.

    • The Medici family controlled Florence through banking and faced political exiles.

    • Machiavelli emphasized power over morality for rulers.

    • Renaissance education focused on humanities over religious instruction.

    • Northern Renaissance art emphasized realism and daily life over mythology.

Unit 2: Exploration & Colonization

  • Key Terms

    1. Caravel: Fast, maneuverable sailing ship

    2. Mercantilism: Economic system benefiting mother country from colonies

    3. Middle Passage: Route enslaved Africans were transported

    4. Encomienda: Forced labor system by Spaniards

    5. Gold, God, Glory: Motivations for exploration

    6. Conquistadors: Spanish soldiers who conquered the Americas

  • Comprehension Notes

    • The Columbian Exchange transformed diets and populations globally.

    • Slave trade rose due to demand for labor on European plantations.

    • African societies weakened due to population loss from slavery.

    • Casta system ranked people by race/birthplace.

Unit 3: Enlightenment & Revolutions

  • Key Terms

    1. Nationalism: Pride and devotion to one's nation

    2. Bourgeoisie: Wealthy middle-class citizens

    3. Sans-culottes: Radical working-class revolutionaries

    4. Coup d'état: Sudden seizure of government power

    5. Capital: Wealth for business investment

    6. Socialism: Collective ownership of resources

    7. Militarism: Strong military readiness belief

    8. Realism: Emphasis on everyday life in art and literature

  • Important Figures

    • Napoleon: Expanded the French Empire and codified laws.

    • Simón Bolívar: Key figure in South American independence movements.

    • Karl Marx: Critic of capitalism who inspired socialist movements.

  • Comprehension Notes

    • The Declaration of the Rights of Man highlighted equality for all men.

    • The Reign of Terror utilized violence to protect the republic.

    • The Industrial Revolution led to factory work and urban migration.

    • Socialism gained traction from harsh industrial labor conditions.

    • Enlightenment ideas motivated revolutions across the Americas.

  • Cause & Effect Events

    • Enlightenment ideas spread → People demanded more rights.

    • American colonists protested taxation → Industrial Revolution conditions worsened labor.

  • Industrial Revolution Chart

    • Before: Agricultural, seasonal work; simple tools.

    • After: Factory work, long hours, steam-powered technology; rise of bourgeoisie and proletariat.