Renaissance and Reformation
Age of Exploration
Absolutism
Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment
French Revolution and Napoleon
100

What is "vernacular" and why was using the vernacular important for the Reformation?

Vernacular is the common spoken or written language of a region; using it allowed reformers and authors to reach ordinary people who did not know Latin.

100

Which exchange involved plants, animals, ideas, and diseases between the Old World and the New World after Columbus's voyages?

The Columbian Exchange

100

What nickname was Louis XIV known by?

The Sun King."

100

Which astronomer used a telescope to discover moons orbiting Jupiter and support heliocentrism?

Galileo Galilei

100

Which oath or event showed the Third Estate's determination to create a constitution for France?

The Tennis Court Oath 

200

Name Martin Luther's list of complaints that attacked Church corruption.

The 95 Theses.

200

Who conquered the Aztec Empire for Spain?

Hernan Cortes

200

Who did Elizabeth I defeat that preserved England from invasion in 1588?

The Spanish Armada.

200

Who wrote that humans are born with natural rights of life, liberty, and property?

John Locke

200

Who led the National Guard in early stages of the Revolution and what important Paris event did the people storm in 1789? (Hint: a symbolic fortress/prison)

Not explicitly in the study guide text: the National Guard was led by Lafayette early on; the stormed prison was the Bastille.) — Accept "The Bastille" as the stormed fortress.

300

Who wrote the Divine Comedy and why is it significant for Renaissance literature?

Dante wrote the Divine Comedy; it is a major work of Italian literature that influenced Renaissance thought and language

300

Define "conquistador" and give one reason conquistadors were able to defeat large native empires.

A conquistador was a Spanish conqueror of the Americas; advantages included better weapons (firearms, steel), disease that weakened native populations, and forming local alliances.

300

What was one cause of the English Civil War related to Charles I's rule?

One cause: Charles I levied taxes without Parliament's consent and repeatedly dissolved Parliament.

300

What does "rationalism" mean in the context of the Enlightenment?

Rationalism is applying reason and logical thought to understand and reform society, government, and knowledge.

300

What were the Three Estates and which estate included the bourgeoisie (middle-class professionals)?

First Estate: clergy; Second Estate: nobility; Third Estate: commoners (including the bourgeoisie). The bourgeoisie were part of the Third Estate.

400

Explain predestination and name the reformer associated with this idea in the study guide.

 Predestination is the belief that God has already decided who will be saved; John Calvin is associated with this idea.

400

What was the "encomienda" system?

The encomienda was a system granting Spanish settlers the right to use Native Americans as laborers.

400

Who was Peter the Great and name one action he took to modernize Russia.

Peter the Great was a Czar of Russia who sought to modernize Russia; he built St. Petersburg and adopted Western technology and customs.

400

Name the thinker who argued society needed a strong government to avoid chaos and give his view of human nature.

Thomas Hobbes argued for a strong government to prevent chaos; he believed humans in a natural state would live in "war of all against all" and needed authority to keep order.

400

Who headed the Committee of Public Safety during the Reign of Terror and what political tool did they use to eliminate enemies?

Maximilien Robespierre; they used revolutionary tribunals and widespread executions (the guillotine) to eliminate perceived enemies.

500

What was the Council of Trent and what general goal did it accomplish?

The Council of Trent was a Catholic council that reformed Church practices and ended some corruption, part of the Counter-Reformation

500

List the three motivators of exploration often summarized in one short phrase.

Gold, Glory, Gold

500

Describe the Glorious Revolution in one sentence and name the rulers who took the throne.

The Glorious Revolution was the relatively bloodless overthrow of James II; William and Mary became joint monarchs, strengthening Parliament's power

500

Explain Francis Bacon's role in developing scientific inquiry and name the method he helped promote

Francis Bacon promoted the scientific method: systematic observation, experimentation, and inductive reasoning to draw conclusions

500

Describe one long-term social or political effect of the French Revolution on European monarchies or society.

One long-term effect: the French Revolution weakened absolute monarchy ideas across Europe, inspired nationalist movements, and led to reforms in law and social order (for example, the decline of feudal privileges)