AP Euro Unit 1

  1. Renaissance (14th - 17th Century)
            - Emergence of humanism emphasizing classical texts and individual potential.
            - Key figures: Artists and thinkers like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Erasmus.
            - The role of patrons in advancing art and literature, especially in Italian city-states.
        2. Exploration and Expansion
            - Motivations for exploration: economic (trade routes), political (national prestige), and religious (spread of Christianity).
            - Key figures: Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and Ferdinand Magellan.
            - Consequences of exploration: colonization, cultural exchanges, and the impact of the Columbian Exchange.
        3. Reformation (16th Century)
            - Martin Luther’s 95 Theses and the challenges to Catholic authority.
            - Development of Protestantism and the division within Christianity.
            - Zwingli, Calvinism, and the role of religion in shaping political landscapes.
        4. Political Developments
            - How monarchies began to consolidate power during this period.
            - The rise of absolute rule and early parliamentary systems in countries like England and France.
        5. Cultural Developments
            - The flourishing of art, literature, and architecture as a reflection of humanistic ideals.
            - Key art movements like Mannerism and the distinct changes in style seen during this period.
        6. Scientific Developments
            - Early advances in science which began to challenge traditional views and influence society (e.g., Copernicus' heliocentric theory).

  2. Key Concepts to Understand
        - Humanism: An intellectual movement focused on human potential and achievements grounded in classical traditions.
        - Renaissance Art: A shift towards realism, perspective, and human emotion in artistic representations.
        - The Protestant Reformation: A religious movement that prompted wider social, political, and economic changes.
        - Columbian Exchange: The transfer of crops, goods, and diseases between the New and Old Worlds impacting global history.