Reformation
What was the Reformation and why did it begin?
The Reformation was a religious movement in the 1500s that aimed to reform the Catholic Church, which many Europeans believed had become corrupt due to its wealth and power.
What does “Renaissance” mean, and where did it start?
It means “rebirth” and it started in Italy.
Who preserved ancient science for European thinkers?
Arab and Jewish scholars.
What was the Enlightenment?
A movement where people used reason to solve problems and improve society.
How did Martin Luther impact the Catholic Church?
He weakened its power by starting the Protestant Reformation.
What were indulgences, and why were they criticized?
Indulgences were certificates that reduced punishment for sins. They were criticized because they were sold for profit even after their original purpose was met.
Why was Italy perfect for the start of the Renaissance in relation to its location?
Italy's location in the Mediterranean Sea meant that wealth from trade helped spread ideas.
What is the heliocentric theory and who proposed it?
It’s the idea that the sun is at the center of the universe, proposed by Copernicus.
What did John Locke believe about government?
It should protect people’s natural rights and be based on natural law.
How did humanism change education and religion?
It promoted reason and made religious texts available in everyday languages.
What were Martin Luther’s 95 Theses about?
They criticized the Catholic Church’s sale of indulgences and led to the creation of Protestant churches.
What role did the Medici family play in the Renaissance?
They supported artists and helped make Florence a cultural center.
How did Galileo support Copernicus’s ideas?
He used a telescope to observe planets and found evidence for the heliocentric model.
What did Montesquieu say about government structure?
Government power should be divided into separate branches.
Why was the printing press important, and who created it?
It helped spread Renaissance and humanist ideas quickly. Johann Gutenberg.
How did the Reformation help political leaders gain power?
By adopting Protestant beliefs, leaders kept money and land from the Church.
What is humanism?
It is a belief in the value of individuals and reason in education and society.
What discoveries did Isaac Newton make?
The law of gravity and the three laws of motion.
What ideas did Voltaire and Rousseau support?
Voltaire supported free speech; Rousseau believed people are naturally good.
What do the Renaissance, Reformation, and Enlightenment have in common?
They all used reason and challenged traditional authority.
Why did King Henry VIII start the Anglican Church?
He wanted political independence from the Pope and to control the church in England.
What were chiaroscuro and perspective used for in Renaissance art?
To create realistic depth and shading in paintings.
Name three scientists and what they discovered.
Vesalius—human anatomy, Leeuwenhoek—bacteria, Boyle—chemical elements.
How did Enlightenment ideas affect monarchs and governments?
They inspired reforms and revolutions, like the Glorious Revolution and ideas about democracy.
How did Enlightenment thinkers shape democracy?
They introduced ideas about natural rights, equality, and limited government.