Renaissance Italy
What was humanism, and who is considered one of its key figures?
Humanism was a cultural movement that emphasized human potential and achievements, with Petrarch being one of its key figures.
What document did Martin Luther publish that criticized church practices?
Martin Luther published the “Ninety-Five Theses,” which outlined his grievances against the Catholic Church.
What was Maria Sibylla Merian known for?
Maria Sibylla Merian was a Swiss naturalist known for her detailed illustrations of plant and insect life, contributing to ecological science.
What was the impact of European colonization on Indigenous populations in the Americas?
European colonization led to significant depopulation of Indigenous populations due to disease, warfare, and enslavement.
Who was Christopher Columbus, and what did he accomplish?
Christopher Columbus was an explorer credited with the European discovery of the Americas in 1492, initiating widespread exploration and colonization.
What were the Papal States, and how did they govern during the Renaissance?
The Papal States were territories in central Italy governed directly by the Catholic Church, playing a significant role in politics and religion during the Renaissance.
What was heavily criticized by Martin Luther's 95 Theses?
Indulgences
How did Sophia Brahe contribute to astronomy?
Sophia Brahe taught herself mathematics and worked at her brother’s observatory, making astronomical predictions.
How did the triangular trade work?
The triangular trade involved three regions: enslaved Africans were sent to the Americas, raw materials from the Americas were sent to Europe, and manufactured goods from Europe were sent to Africa.
What was one of the most significant effects of the Age of Exploration on European economies?
The Age of Exploration led to increased wealth for European nations through trade and the acquisition of colonies.
Describe the role of merchant guilds in Renaissance Italy.
Merchant guilds organized and controlled production and trade, significantly contributing to the economy and political structure of Italian city-states.
Explain the concept of indulgences in the Catholic Church.
Indulgences were permissions granted by the church that reduced punishment for sins, which became controversial when sold for money.
What was the significance of Margaret Cavendish's work?
Margaret Cavendish challenged contemporary ideas about the mind and body, advocating for the importance of the brain in thought processes.
What role did King Afonso I play in the slave trade?
King Afonso I of Kongo initially cooperated with the Portuguese but later denounced the slave trade due to its negative effects on his kingdom.
How did the fall of the Mongol Empire affect trade routes?
The decline of the Mongol Empire and the Silk Road limited overland trade routes to Asia, prompting Europeans to seek sea routes for trade.
Who were the Medici, and how did they influence Renaissance culture in Florence?
The Medici were a powerful banking family who became patrons of the arts, helping to establish Florence as a cultural capital of the Renaissance.
What role did the printing press play in the Protestant Reformation?
The printing press allowed for the rapid dissemination of reformist ideas and criticisms of the church, making literature accessible to a wider audience.
Describe the challenges faced by women in science during the Scientific Revolution.
Women faced societal restrictions, limited opportunities for formal education, and often had to work under the names of male relatives.
Explain the concept of the Middle Passage.
The Middle Passage refers to the horrific sea journey taken by enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas, characterized by overcrowding and high mortality rates.
Describe the Columbian Exchange and its effects.
The Columbian Exchange was the transfer of goods, crops, and diseases between the Americas and Europe, significantly impacting diets and populations on both sides.
What was the significance of Florence during the Renaissance?
Florence is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, noted for its cultural and artistic achievements, and significant figures like Petrarch and the Medici family.
What were the main criticisms of the Catholic Church by reformers like Martin Luther?
Reformers criticized practices like the sale of indulgences, corruption, and the need for reform in church practices and doctrines.
Who was Maria Winkelmann and what contributions did she make to astronomy?
Maria Winkelmann was a German astronomer who assisted her husband and independently prepared astronomical calendars, making significant contributions to the field.
What was the transatlantic slave trade, and how did it affect African societies?
The transatlantic slave trade was the forced transportation of millions of Africans to the Americas, leading to depopulation and conflict in African societies.
What were the main motivations for European exploration during the Age of Exploration?
Motivations included trade, the quest for wealth, the spread of Christianity, and the desire for knowledge and adventure.