The Medieval Period
What was the effect of the Black Death?
The Black Death resulted in the end of the feudal system. Many people died, resulting in those who survived the ability to demand higher pay. The higher wages allowed the people to have money to spend on luxuries.
Name 3 reasons will Italy became a center for trade during the Renaissance.
Close to Africa, near bodies of water (Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean), mountains to the north blocked other countries from having similar benefits, warmer climate.
Explain humanism
Education became important
People can achieve great things through learning
Looked to Islamic civilization for ideas in sciences, mathematics, and medicine looked to ancient civilizations of Greece to develop one’s talents was and Rome for inspiration to serve God, because God gave you those talents
Individuals should be skilled in many areas.
Develop the mind, body and spirit.
Important for people to have an open, curious, and questioning mind.
People should be involved in political issues, active citizenship.
What is the scientific method and why do we continue to use it today?
The process of making observations, experimenting, and drawing conclusions based on evidence. This method led to many discoveries in the past and continues to be used today since it still is very effective at finding answers to probing questions.
What were the main reasons for exploration?
4 G’s: Gold, God, Glory, and geography.
How did the black death change the worldview of serfs and freemen?
They were allowed more freedom to travel and enjoy many of the luxuries that their class system prevented them from enjoying before. Their life was no longer consumed only with working for the manor.
Why would Vancouver be a dominant trading city for Canada today?
Close to USA (major importer/exporter), closest place in Canada to Asia, warmer climate, near large body of water that doesn’t freeze year round, many different transportation routes (trans-Canada, Railway, major airport, etc.)
How were religion and education viewed by the humanists?
Humanists felt that in order to be fully cultured, a person should read good books and look at great works of art. Many humanists were dedicated teachers that believed in “educating the whole child.” They encouraged a questioning attitude in their students. Religion continued to also play an important role as it did in the Medieval period.
What advances/progresses were made in the sciences (astronomy, medicine and mathematics) during the Renaissance?
Astronomy: The earth is not at the center of the universe. The sun is located at the center of our universe. Galileo, Copernicus and Kepler.
Medicine: Herbal remedies became known. Scientists and doctors became more aware of how the human body worked through anatomy. It was no longer illegal to dissect human bodies. Accurate, detailed illustrations of the human body became popular. Vesalius.
Mathematics: Believed mathematics was the basic tool for understanding the universe. Erasmus, DaVinci, Brunelleschi.
Who were some of the Renaissance explorers?
Columbus, Cortes, Cabot, Magellan, De Gama, Pissarro, Drake, Cook, Raleigh, etc.
Describe in detail the life / role of a serf
A serf’s life was very restricted, and focused on obedience to the Lord. They were not allowed to travel and their daily life (from sun up to sunset) was consumed with farming and performing other chores/jobs for the Feudal Lord.
Many of the goods they saw in the Middle East were unavailable in Europe. What items were traded?
They sought spices, silks, minerals (precious metals, etc.)
What were the main inspirations for humanist?
Inspired by the past. Greek, Roman and Islamic society played an important part in forming the Renaissance humanist.
Why were people disappointed in the church?
People saw the church as becoming corrupt. Many priests and other persons in position of authority were taking advantage of their authority to gain power and money for themselves and their family.
What is Imperialism?
The extension of power over a territory, including its resources and people.
What was the view of religion and church during the Renaissance?
People feared the church. They wanted to be good so that when their souls were judged by God they would be seen as worthy of going into heaven where they could experience a better “life” than the one they had in this lifetime of hard work, sickness, poverty, etc.
Who was Medici?
The Medici family was the most important and powerful family in Italy. They made their fortune from trading wool and silk. What was his opinion of wealth and responsibility? They believed that the rich should donate money to important causes. They donated money to the arts and to literature.
How did portraits and art express humanism?
Recognizes that each individual is important and worthy of remembering.
How did the printing press change society?
It allowed knowledge to be spread more easily than the hand written books. Books became cheaper and more accessible to the people.
What were some of the positive and negative aspects of imperialism?
Positive (European perspective): Allowed Britain, France, Spain, etc. to become very powerful and wealthy countries.
Negative: Aboriginal/ Modern Perspective: Loss of Aboriginal culture and way of life of many Aboriginal peoples. Loss of land, etc.
What challenges faced the feudal system? Which had the greatest impact and why?
Black Death and peasants revolting. The Black Death had the largest impact since it impacted everyone. No one was immune from the disease and millions died. It also led to the destruction of the Feudal system, and caused the middle class to develop. More money was being spent and people began wanting more luxuries in life.
Why were some city-states more successful than others?
Genoa, Venice and Florence were more successful than most of the other areas because of:
Geography: close to waterways, mountains blocking other countries from having same benefits, warm climate, etc.
Warm climate: allowed for longer growing seasons.
Leadership: Italy had a collection of independent city-states. They did not have the monarchies that most of the other European countries had.
Social Organization: Feudalism was not as important to the economy as in the rest of Europe.
How did Renaissance art differ from Medieval art?
Renaissance art was more realistic, had depth created through realistic landscapes and perspective, used dramatic show of light and dark, figures often showed emotion, often had a strong geometric shape (circle or triangle) present in the layout, and sometimes contained portraits of actual people. The Medieval period often had stylized figures, gold inlaid backgrounds, and expressionless figures. Both often had religious themes.
What impact did the printing press have on Renaissance worldviews?
Led to dramatic changes in the church. Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther thought the Bible should be the focus of one’s faith (not the church). He tried to stop the selling of indulgences, certificates that reduced the amount of time people would be punished for their sins. Led to the Protestant Reformation and eventually the development of the Protestant faith. The Catholic Church was in trouble. It cleaned up the corruption and made priests get a better education. Jesuits were sent to the “new world” to get new believers (Aboriginal peoples).
How was Columbus an imperialist?
He took gold and land from the Aboriginal people and enslaved thousands to get gold out of the imaginary gold fields. Thousands of Aboriginals suffered and died for his greed. These accumulated riches were sent to Spain to make Spain one of the most powerful and wealthiest countries in the world at that time.