Western Civilization Midterm Study
The Crusades
A series of wars called by the Catholic Church against infidels (non-Christians) in the Holy Land in an effort to reclaim the Holy Land for the Church.
Pope Urban II
The pope who called the 1st Crusade, wanting to reclaim the Holy Land for the Church, help the Emperor of the Byzantine Empire, and undermine the power of the secular leaders in Europe.
1st Crusade
The only successful Crusade.
4th Crusade
An unsuccessful Crusade that resulted in crusaders attacking the Christian city of Constantinople in Byzantium.
Jerusalem / Holy Land
Jerusalem is the holiest city in Christianity and Judaism and one of the holiest cities in Islam. The Holy Land includes the areas around Jerusalem.
The Avignon Papacy
In response to the Pope's papal bull, Unam Sanctam, King Philip kidnapped the pope and installed his own pope in Avignon in France.
The Black Death
The Plague killed over 25 million people (nearly half the population), showing the Church to be powerless over the disease.
Vernacular Literature
Written work in the common language of an area (i.e., French, English, Spanish, etc.) that increased literacy in Europe.
Universities
Centers of learning and education that opened up education to more people and widened the scope of information students would learn about.
The rise of cities
As cities grew, the Church had less control over the populations since people were exposed to a variety of ideas. Universities began to open
Agricultural Revolution
New tools and techniques for growing crops increased agricultural production, resulting in a healthier population.
Three field system & 'lie fallow'
New strategies used in farming which put more land to use and allowed farmers to rotate crops and help the soil replenish its nutrients.
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Burghers & bourgeoisie
Burgher is the German word for city-dweller, which developed into the French word bourgeoisie, used as a reference to the middle class.
The Crusades
Knights went to fight in the Crusades, removing the military power of kings and lords from Europe, thus undermining the power of the feudal system.
The Black Death
A.k.a. the bubonic plague, it killed about one-third of Europe's population in the 14th Century, leading to high demand for peasant labor.
Cities & towns
Developed around markets held near Churches, providing freedom and opportunity for peasants and serfs to learn a craft and live outside of feudal control.
Guilds
Associations of skilled craftsmen in cities that provided apprenticeship, journeyman practice, and mastery, protecting product quality and allowing peasants to improve their lives.
Charters
Documents granting the privileges of a town or city, allowing them to operate outside of the feudal system or the Catholic Church.
Longbow
A weapon that could strike knights from far distances, contributing to the obsolescence of knights and weakening the feudal system.
Crossbow
A weapon that could pierce armor and was easy to use, allowing peasants to learn how to use it without knight training, further weakening the role of knights.
Gunpowder & cannon
Weapons that made castles obsolete by destroying castle walls, weakening the protection of the feudal system.
Rise of peasant armies
Peasants could join the army using crossbows, improving their social standing and weakening the power of knights and lords.
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Nationalism
A feeling of pride in one's country.
The Hundred Years War
A series of battles between England and France that helped to create a sense of unity and nationhood among the people of those countries.
William the Conqueror
The first Norman king of England who conquered England in 1066 at the Battle of Hastings.
Henry V & the Battle of Agincourt
Henry V was the king of England who led his outnumbered army to victory against the French army at the Battle of Agincourt, unifying the people into one England.
Parliament
the legislative branch of England that developed during the Hundred Years War as a means of collecting taxes to fight the war.
Magna Carta
the most famous charter. Gave people in England certain rights and privileges that could not be infringed upon by the king.
Joan of Arc
national hero of France during the Hundred Years War. Helped France win the Battle of Orleans.
The Estates General
the legislative assembly in France. Developed during the Hundred Years War as a means to collect tax money to fight the war.
The Reconquista
Spain's effort to reclaim the Iberian Peninsula for Catholicism by forcing Muslims out of the country.
The Inquisition
a court of the Catholic Church that was used by Spain to root out heretics (those who did not practice Christianity).
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Heretic
those who did not practice Christianity.
Renaissance
a cultural revival in Europe (14th-17th centuries) that marked the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity. It emphasized a renewed interest in classical art, literature, science, and philosophy.
Humanism
an intellectual movement that emphasized the value and agency of humans, focusing on education, history, and the arts. It promoted the study of classical texts for wisdom and understanding.
Renaissance Man
A Renaissance Man is a person skilled in multiple fields, embodying the Renaissance ideal of broad knowledge and versatility.
Milan
a powerful city-state known for its military strength and patronage of the arts, particularly under the Sforza family.
Genoa
a major port city, Genoa was a hub of maritime trade and banking, facilitating cultural exchange and economic prosperity.
Florence
the cradle of the Renaissance, renowned for its art and intellectual activity, supported by the Medici family's patronage.
Venice
a thriving maritime republic and cultural center known for its trade networks and wealth.
Trade
Trade during the Renaissance connected Italian city-states to the Middle East, Asia, and Northern Europe, bringing wealth and access to new ideas and technologies.
Trade
The lifeblood of the Renaissance, funding artistic and intellectual pursuits and spreading its ideals beyond Italy.
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Distinctive features of artwork in the Italian Renaissance
Italian Renaissance artwork emphasized realism, Idealism, balance, and human emotion, breaking away from the flat, symbolic art of the Middle Ages.
Perspective
A technique that creates the illusion of depth and three-dimensionality on a flat surface.
Contrapposto
A pose in sculpture or painting where a figure's weight rests on one leg, creating a naturalistic shift in the body's alignment.
Sfumato
A technique that blends colors and tones smoothly, creating soft transitions without visible lines.
Chiaroscuro
Uses contrasts between light and shadow to create volume and drama in artworks.
Elements of Italian Renaissance Artwork
1. Realism and Emotion: Depiction of human emotion and realistic proportions. 2. Use of Perspective: Spatial depth and three-dimensionality. 3. Classical Themes: Mythology, history, and Greco-Roman influence. 4. Attention to Detail: Intricate textures and naturalistic landscapes.
Michelangelo
A sculptor, painter, and architect whose masterpieces include the David, the Sistine Chapel Ceiling, and The Last Judgment.
Raphael
A painter known for his harmonious compositions and depictions of beauty, exemplified in works like The School of Athens.
Leonardo da Vinci
A polymath whose art, including The Last Supper and Mona Lisa, combined scientific observation with extraordinary creativity.
Political World of the Renaissance
Characterized by fragmented city-states, constant power struggles, and shifting alliances.
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Patrons
Wealthy individuals, families (like the Medici), and the Church who supported Renaissance artists financially.
Machiavelli's pragmatic approach
An approach to politics shaped by political instability and competition, focusing on practical governance.
The Medici family
A powerful banking dynasty that ruled Florence during much of the Renaissance, known for their patronage of the arts.
Machiavelli's The Prince
A political treatise written in 1513 offering advice to rulers on gaining and maintaining power.
The ends justify the means
A famous idea from Machiavelli suggesting that morally questionable actions are acceptable if they lead to a positive outcome.
Northern Renaissance art
Art that focused on detailed realism, vibrant color, and complex symbolism, depicting everyday life and landscapes.
Albrecht Dürer
A German painter and printmaker known for detailed woodcuts and engravings, blending Northern and Italian Renaissance styles.
Jan van Eyck
A Flemish painter renowned for his use of oil paints and intricate detail, known for masterpieces like the Ghent Altarpiece.
Hans Holbein the Younger
A German portraitist famous for his depictions of European royalty, noted for clarity, realism, and subtle symbolism.
Pieter Bruegel the Elder
A Flemish artist known for detailed scenes of peasant life and landscapes, blending social commentary with artistic innovation.
Detailed Realism
Hyper-realistic textures in fabrics, landscapes, and human features characteristic of Northern Renaissance art.
Symbolism in art
Objects imbued with religious or moral meaning, such as the use of light or animals in Northern Renaissance artwork.
Focus on Daily Life
Artistic depiction of scenes featuring ordinary people and rural settings, prominent in Northern Renaissance art.
Innovative Mediums
Mastery of oil painting for precision and layering, a hallmark of Northern Renaissance artists.
Religious Themes
Art often retained a strong spiritual focus, reflecting the values of the time during the Northern Renaissance.
Memento Mori
Artistic reminders of death, a theme present in Northern Renaissance art.
Influence of the Medici on Machiavelli
Machiavelli's career was deeply tied to the Medici family, influencing his writing of The Prince.
Renaissance power dynamics
The complex interplay of wealth and power during the Renaissance, shaping political strategies.
Artistic techniques of Northern Renaissance
Advancements in artistic techniques that emphasized realism, individuality, and moral themes.
Melencolia I
A famous engraving by Albrecht Dürer, showcasing his detailed artistic style.
The Ambassadors
A notable portrait by Hans Holbein the Younger, reflecting the personalities and power dynamics of its subjects.
The Harvesters
A painting by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, depicting scenes of peasant life.
The Hunters in the Snow
Another famous work by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, illustrating winter scenes and human activity.