Renaissance
What was one major idea of the Renaissance that encouraged people to study art, science, and ancient texts?
Humanism (interest in human potential and achievements) or renewed interest in classical learning.
What was the Reformation?
A movement in the 16th century that led to new Christian churches and changes in the Catholic Church.
Name one scientist from the Scientific Revolution and one idea they supported (e.g., heliocentric model).
Nicolaus Copernicus (heliocentric), Galileo Galilei (telescopic observations), Isaac Newton (laws of motion/gravity).
Give one reason European countries began exploring by sea in the 1400s–1500s.
desire for trade routes to Asia, search for gold and wealth, spread of religion, national glory.
What is one main idea of the Enlightenment?
belief in reason, natural rights, separation of powers, equality before law.
Name one famous Renaissance artist and one work they created.
Leonardo da Vinci — Mona Lisa; Michelangelo — David or Sistine Chapel ceiling; Raphael — School of Athens.
Who started the Protestant Reformation by posting the Ninety-Five Theses?
Martin Luther.
What does the term "heliocentric" mean?
Sun-centered (the sun is at the center of the solar system).
Name one important explorer and the area they reached or claimed for their country.
Christopher Columbus — reached the Caribbean; Vasco da Gama — reached India by sea; Ferdinand Magellan (circumnavigation expedition); Hernán Cortés — conquered Aztec Empire.
Name one Enlightenment thinker and one idea they promoted.
John Locke — natural rights and government by consent; Montesquieu — separation of powers; Voltaire — freedom of speech/religious tolerance; Rousseau — social contract.
Explain what "humanism" means in the context of the Renaissance.
Humanism is a focus on human values, achievements, and study of classical texts, emphasizing education and reason.
Give one reason some people wanted to reform the Catholic Church (a complaint reformers had).
Selling of indulgences, corruption among clergy, desire for Bible in local languages (vernacular).
Explain how observation and experimentation changed how people learned about the natural world during the Scientific Revolution.
People relied more on experiments, careful observation, measurement, and mathematics rather than only ancient authorities.
What was one effect of European exploration on the Americas (positive or negative)?
Effects include spread of diseases to indigenous peoples, colonization, exchange of crops/animals, and forced labor or slavery.
How did Enlightenment ideas influence government or laws in simple terms?
Enlightenment ideas supported constitutions, democracy, legal rights, and limitations on absolute rulers.
How did the invention of the printing press help spread Renaissance ideas?
The printing press made books cheaper and faster to produce, spreading ideas, literacy, and learning.
What was the Counter-Reformation and one action the Catholic Church took in response?
Counter-Reformation = Catholic Church reforms; example actions: Council of Trent, reforms to training of priests, new religious orders like the Jesuits.
Describe one conflict that occurred between scientists and religious authorities during this period.
Example: Galileo faced the Inquisition for supporting heliocentrism because it challenged Church teachings.
Explain what the Columbian Exchange was and give one example of something exchanged.
Columbian Exchange = transfer of plants, animals, people, and diseases between Old World and New World; example: potatoes to Europe, horses to Americas, smallpox to Americas.
Give one example of how the Enlightenment encouraged people to use reason instead of tradition.
Example: People used scientific methods and logic to question traditional authority, such as arguing laws should be based on reason not solely tradition.
Describe two ways Renaissance thinking influenced government, science, or education.
Stronger emphasis on education and universities; interest in science and observation; secular art and political thought influencing statecraft.
Compare one difference in belief or practice between Protestants and Catholics after the Reformation.
Protestants rejected papal authority and some sacraments; Catholics kept the pope and traditional sacraments and reformed practices.
Explain how the Scientific Revolution helped set the stage for the Enlightenment (give one clear connection).
Scientific emphasis on reason and evidence inspired Enlightenment thinkers to apply reason to politics, society, and human rights.
Describe how new navigation tools or ships helped explorers travel farther than before.
Tools like the compass, astrolabe, better maps, and stronger ships (caravel) allowed longer voyages and more accurate navigation.
Explain how Enlightenment ideas connected to earlier changes from the Renaissance or Scientific Revolution (give a specific link).
Renaissance humanism encouraged questioning tradition; Scientific Revolution showed the power of reason and evidence — both led Enlightenment thinkers to apply reason to society and government.