AP_Euro_U1_AMSCO

Topic 1.1: Contextualizing Renaissance and Discovery

Essential Question: What was the context for the development of the Renaissance and Age of Discovery?

The Roman Empire provided unity and order in Europe, promoting trade, transportation, art, and scholarship until its fall in the early 5th century. The fall of the Roman Empire marked a significant transition, leading to the Middle Ages, ultimately characterized by disunity, scientific stagnation, lack of artistic expression, and few noteworthy leaders. During this time, the Roman Catholic Church emerged as the dominant force across Europe, supporting the feudal system where noble lords exercised control over serfs, who were bound to their land due to socio-economic constraints.

Key Developments Leading to the Renaissance

• Crusades: The series of military campaigns initiated by European Christians against Muslim territories facilitated an exchange of knowledge and ideas between European and Islamic scholars, often bringing back scientific and philosophical texts that had been preserved and expanded upon by Islamic civilizations.

• Black Death: The devastating plague that swept through Europe in the 14th century resulted in a massive population decline. This catastrophe dismantled the existing feudal structure and destroyed serfdom, considerably raising the bargaining power of the surviving peasants, which eventually led to social mobility and changes in economic dynamics.

• By the 1300s, various shifts in European society, including growing commerce, increasing literacy, and the rediscovery of classical antiquity, began marking the onset of a new era of thought and artistic expression known as the Renaissance.

• The term "Renaissance," meaning "rebirth," denotes a resurgence in classical learning, aesthetic values, and an interest in the humanities, starting primarily in Italy and later spreading throughout Europe. This cultural movement catalyzed fundamental changes in art, technology, agriculture, trade, and governance that laid the foundation for modern Western society.

Topic 1.2: Italian Renaissance

Essential Questions:

1. How did the revival of classical texts contribute to the Italian Renaissance?

2. What were the political, intellectual, and cultural effects of the Italian Renaissance? The Renaissance, marked by a renewed interest in classical civilizations, began in Italy in the mid-1300s. This movement signified a transition from religious-focused medieval thought to a secular perspective that embraced humanism—a philosophy emphasizing human dignity, potential, and experience, while breaking away from the confines of medieval scholasticism. Italian Renaissance Humanists placed considerable emphasis on exploring classical texts' secular themes over religious doctrines.

Notable Figures

• Petrarch: Often regarded as the Father of Humanism, he dedicated his life to the pursuit of classical manuscripts, sought to revive ancient Greek and Roman texts, and critically assessed his era, dubbing the Middle Ages an intellectual dark period between antiquity and his contemporary Renaissance.

• Marsilio Ficino: A key figure in the spread of Neo-Platonism, Ficino studied and translated Greek texts and linked Plato’s philosophy with Christian theology, arguing that humans possess the freedom to determine their fate through education and virtuous living.

• Pico della Mirandola: His work, "Oration on the Dignity of Man," exemplifies the humanist focus on individual potential, merging various philosophical traditions into a unified understanding of humanity's place in the universe.

Transformation of Education

The revival of classical texts greatly influenced the development of literature, history, and drama, leading to a burgeoning humanities field. Humanist educators established secondary schools that promoted a curriculum centered on classical studies (grammar, rhetoric, poetry, history, and moral philosophy) and emphasized the cultivation of human potential.

Art and Cultural Changes

Renaissance art reflected a marked transition to realism and naturalism, emphasizing human experiences and emotions. Techniques such as linear perspective and chiaroscuro (light and shadow) contributed to more lifelike and three-dimensional representations. Influential artists included:

• Donatello: Renowned for his sculptures that emphasized humanism and the beauty of the human form.

• Leonardo da Vinci: A polymath noted for his contributions to painting, science, and invention, particularly recognized for works like "The Last Supper" and "Mona Lisa."

• Michelangelo: A master of the High Renaissance known for his sculptures, such as "David" and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, which captured the divine and human essence.

• Raphael: Celebrated for his harmonious compositions and grace, particularly in works like "The School of Athens."

Social and Political Structures

The fragmented political landscape of Italian city-states facilitated a competitive atmosphere for cultural and political dominance, reflecting a renewed admiration for classical political structures. Machiavelli, through his influential work "The Prince," analyzed political power dynamics and governance strategies. He advocated for pragmatism over morality in politics, suggesting that rulers must be shrewd and strategic to maintain authority.

Topic 1.3: Northern Renaissance

The Northern Renaissance emerged simultaneously but emphasized a deeper connection to religion than its Italian counterpart. Artists such as Albrecht Dürer and Pieter Bruegel the Elder focused on detailed representations of daily life and nature, moving beyond religious narratives to convey the human experience in its entirety. Intellectual figures like Erasmus and Thomas More critically examined the Catholic Church and advocated for reform, playing a role in the lead-up to the Protestant Reformation.

Topic 1.4: The Printing Press

Essential Question: What influence did the printing press have on cultural and intellectual development?

The invention of the mechanical printing press by Johannes Gutenberg revolutionized learning and communication in the 15th century. It enabled the mass production of texts, allowing for widespread dissemination of ideas, literature, and religious works that challenged established institutions, including the Catholic Church. The availability of books significantly raised literacy rates, facilitated the spread of Renaissance humanism, and made religious texts, such as the Bible, more accessible to the lay public, ultimately fueling the Protestant Reformation and altering the landscape of European culture.

Topic 1.5: New Monarchies

From 1450 to 1648, the development of centralized political institutions emerged as monarchs consolidated their power. Figures such as Henry VIII in England and Ferdinand and Isabella in Spain utilized religious reforms as tools to enforce authority and stabilize their rule. Economic transformations associated with overseas ventures gradually shifted power dynamics within European societies, reducing the influence of the traditional nobility while empowering monarchs and leading to the establishment of stronger, more centralized states.

Topic 1.6: Technological Advances and Exploration

Motivations for exploration during this period included the desire to spread Christianity and to secure new trade routes, driven by emerging economic competition among European powers. Key advancements in navigation (including the compass and astrolabe), shipbuilding (caravels), and military technology enabled overseas exploration and colonization, greatly expanding European influence across the globe.

Topic 1.7: Overseas European Empires

European empires expanded rapidly into the Americas and Asia, often employing violent means and subjugating local populations. This expansionist policy led to the establishment of imperial systems that exploited vast resources, impacting indigenous cultures profoundly and creating a legacy of colonialism. The Columbian Exchange played a crucial role in this process, revolutionizing economies worldwide by introducing crops, livestock, and diseases across continents while transforming agricultural practices, population distributions, and cultural exchanges.

Topic 1.8: The Slave Trade

The transatlantic slave trade became an economic necessity for sustaining European plantations, particularly in the New World. This brutal system led to widespread suffering and human rights abuses. The Middle Passage, the horrific sea journey endured by enslaved Africans to the Americas, was characterized by inhumane conditions, resulting in millions of deaths during the forced migration.

Topic 1.9: The Commercial Revolution

Economic shifts in agriculture and commerce from 1450 to 1648 diversified European economies, culminating in the establishment of advanced banking systems and joint-stock companies. These changes contributed to increased wealth for emerging middle classes, leading to social stratification and the gradual rise of a capitalist economy, which reshaped economic relations in Europe.

Topic 1.10: Causation in the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery

The Renaissance ignited a chain reaction of exploration, colonization, and new economic practices that fundamentally reshaped European society and the wider world. The causative relationship is evident in how the quest for knowledge fostered technological advancements, resulting in extensive globalization and transformations in power dynamics, trade practices, and cultural exchanges across continents.

Unit 1 Review: Renaissance and Exploration: Key Terms

• Renaissance: The cultural rebirth of classical learning and values originating in Italy.

• Humanism: A philosophical stance emphasizing human dignity and values, focusing on secular themes.

• Capitalism: An economic system characterized by private ownership and the free market.

• Mercantilism: An economic theory that promotes government regulation of a nation’s economy for augmenting state power.

• Encomienda: A system whereby Spanish settlers were granted the right to extract labor from indigenous peoples in the Americas.

• Middle Passage: The transatlantic voyage of enslaved Africans to the Americas marked by horrific conditions.

• Columbian Exchange: The widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, populations, and diseases between the Americas and the Old World.

• Printing Press: An invention that allowed for the mass production of texts and increased literacy.

• Joint-Stock Company: A business entity where different stocks can be bought and owned by shareholders.

• Machiavellianism: A political theory advocating the use of pragmatic methods for gaining and maintaining power, often at the cost of ethics.