The Middle Ages
How did the Bubonic Plague arrive in Europe?
Carried by fleas on rats on ships returning from Asia (trade brought the plague to Europe). Spread easily due to poor sanitation/overcrowding in cities, poor hygiene, and malnutrition.
What is the difference between scholasticism and humanism?
Scholasticism focused on training people who would work as theologians, lawyers or doctors, and thus used works of theology, philosophy, medicine and law as a basis for study. Humanism, on the other hand, focused on creating people who would be ideal citizens in whatever domain their work lay and would be able to speak persuasively to encourage those around them to a moral life; thus, students pursuing humanist studies were instructed from historically important works of poetry, history, grammar and rhetoric.
What is Christian humanism?
Emphasized early Church writings that provided answers on how to improve society and reform the Church. It drew on Hebrew and Greek texts of the Bible and writings of church fathers.
What is a New Monarch? Name one.
Monarch who consolidated power and created the foundation for modern nation-states. Examples include Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain, Francis I of France, Henry VII of England.
What was the Commercial Revolution? How were the middle class involved?
Rise of capitalism led by the middle class--upward trend in prices buoyed by increased food prices, larger population, more volume of money, influx of gold and silver from the New World.
What was the lasting impact of the 100 Years' War?
The struggles began the modernization of state building in France and England. Joan of Arc as a symbol sowed the seeds of nationalism.
Name "The Father of Humanism", who claimed the Middle Ages were the Dark Ages, and who focused on reviving the classics.
Petrarch.
What does the statement "Erasmus lay the egg that Luther hatched" mean?
Erasmus was a northern humanist who criticized the Church through satire (specifically the immorality and hypocrisy of the clergy).
Name three ways New Monarchs reduced the power of the church and the nobility.
Examples include: taxation, confiscation of lands (through show trials or religious persecution), creation/hiring of armies (mercenaries included), taking the power to appoint clergy in their countries, gave power to the new middle class through borrowing money (with interest) and increasing their political power at the expense of the nobles.
What is mercantilism?
Nations sought a self sufficient economy through a favorable balance of trade where they export more than they import.
What was the role of the Catholic Church in the Medieval Era?
Western and central European society was dominated by the Church after the fall of the Roman Empire. Religious authorities were more powerful than secular authorities.
What was the message of Mirandola's Oration on the Dignity of Man?
Humans were created by God and given potential for greatness, but could also choose a negative course. Thus, humans had free will.
This man was a civic humanist who was Lord Chancellor to King Henry VIII and wrote Utopia.
Thomas More, eventually executed by Henry for refusing to take the oath of loyalty to Henry as head of the church.
Name one New Monarch-created policy designed to consolidate power?
Henry VII of England - the Start Chamber (secret trials)
Francis I of France - the Concordant of Bologna (king had the power to appoint bishops in the French Church)
Henry VIII of England - created his own church
Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain - Reconquista and the Inquisition
What were the three main motivators for exploration?
"God, glory, and gold"
How did the Babylonian Captivity (1309-77) damage the Church?
Popes believed to be overly influenced by French kings due to location and their luxurious lifestyle criticized.
Name two beliefs Machiavelli shared about what makes a great ruler.
Describe some of the differences between Italian and Northern Renaissance art.
Italian - idealized beauty, religious and mythological inspiration, focused on linear perspective, often frescos
Northern - prized realism and detail, religious and domestic inspiration, many portraits, focused on color and detail, usually oil paint
Why wasn't Charles V (HRE) considered a New Monarch?
How did joint-stock companies and chartered companies contribute to exploration and expansion?
Joint-stock companies - investors pooled their resources for a common purpose, like trade
Chartered companies - states provided monopolies in certain areas using naval and military power (Dutch East India Co, British East India Co)
Money coming from states and private investors allowed trade, exploration, and expansion to grow.
Name two early critics of the Catholic Church.
John Wyclif (church should only follow scripture, wrote English translation of the Bible) and John Huss (ideas similar to Wyclif and led nationalist movement in Bohemia).
Who invented the printing press, and why is it one of the most important inventions in human history? Use Renaissance examples to support your answer.
Johann Gutenberg made it possible for vernacular and humanist literature to spread through Europe at great speed. Vernacular literature contributed to national culture.
Choose either Jan van Eyck or Peter Brueghel the Elder and name/describe one of their art pieces.
Jan van Eyck - Flemish painter, Arnolfini and his Wife, oil painting portrait of a couple (highly detailed)
Peter Brueghel the Elder - focused on the lives of ordinary people, Peasant Dance or Peasant Wedding
Name three groups who opposed monarchical power.
Nobles, clergy, independent towns.
Name and describe two technological advances that facilitated sea travel and therefore exploration.
Astronomy: compass, astrolabe, quadrant
Ships: caravel, lateen ship and sail riggings, axial rudder, guns/gunpowder on ships