Chapter 12

  • Renaissance: Means "rebirth," referring to the period between 1350 and 1550 marked by the revival of classical knowledge, art, and culture in Europe.

  • Characteristics of Renaissance: Focused on individuality, secularism, and the abilities and dignity of individuals.

  • Economic Recovery: Recovery of trade and manufacturing after the Black Death, leading to prosperity in Italian city-states.

  • Hanseatic League: A northern European trade alliance that competed with Italian trade during the Renaissance.

  • Medici Family: A powerful banking family in Florence that funded many Renaissance projects.

  • Renaissance Social Classes: Comprised of the First Estate (clergy), Second Estate (nobles), and Third Estate (commoners, including merchants and tradesmen).

  • Baldassare Castiglione: Author of The Book of the Courtier, outlining the ideal traits of a nobleman.

  • Marriage in Renaissance: Often arranged contracts to secure social or economic advantage; included dowries as part of agreements.

  • Italian States: Major powers included Milan, Venice, Florence, Papal States, and Naples, with smaller independent city-states.

  • Italian Wars: Conflicts sparked by foreign invasions of Italy, including French and Spanish forces.

  • Niccolò Machiavelli: Author of The Prince, advocating pragmatic and sometimes unethical rulership for stability.

  • Humanism: Intellectual movement focusing on classical Greek and Roman literature and values.

  • Civic Humanism: A belief in engaging with society to achieve intellectual and moral growth.

  • Neoplatonism: Integration of Plato's philosophy with Christian teachings, emphasizing a hierarchy of beings.

  • Hermeticism: Renaissance study of astrology, alchemy, magic, and theology, supporting pantheism.

  • Johannes Gutenberg: Inventor of the movable-type printing press; his Gutenberg Bible was the first mass-produced book in Europe.

  • Renaissance Art: Focused on realism, perspective, and human individuality, with notable contributions from artists like Masaccio and Donatello.

  • High Renaissance Artists: Included Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo, who expanded the artistic achievements of the period.

  • Northern Renaissance Art: Focused on religious themes and detail, emphasizing emotional intensity and devotional works.

  • Music of the Renaissance: Transitioned to more secular themes; madrigals became popular.

  • Renaissance States: Centralized powers in Western Europe, such as England, France, and Spain.

  • New Monarchies: Refers to centralized governments in Western Europe, such as the Tudors in England and Ferdinand and Isabella in Spain.

  • Habsburg Strategy: Gained power through strategic marriages rather than war.

  • Eastern Europe Disunity: Fragmented due to ethnic diversity, religious divisions, and linguistic barriers.

  • Fall of Constantinople: The Byzantine Empire fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453, reshaping European geopolitics.

  • Great Schism: Resolved in 1417, ending the division of the Catholic Church into multiple competing popes.

  • John Wyclif: Critic of clerical corruption and founder of Lollardy, advocating for Bible translation into vernacular languages.

  • John Hus: Bohemian reformer whose execution led to the Hussite wars.

  • Papal Patronage: Renaissance popes supported art to enhance church influence and grandeur.