The Renaissance Begins
Which modern-day country did the Renaissance begin in, and which city was it in that country?
Florence, Italy
What weapon was banned by the Catholic church because it was too vicious?
The crossbow
What did Cosimo De Medici do that was important?
He became unofficial ruler of Florence at the turn of the 1400s, and established the Medici family as a powerful force.
What was a samurai?
A skilled warrior in Japan who followed a strict code of ethics and was honor-sworn to a specific family.
Explain something that you've learned about the Renaissance era that we did not take notes on.
(Answers may vary.)
What does the term 'Renaissance' mean, both in terms of the definition and in the context of history?
It means 'rebirth,' which in the context of history means a 'rebirth' of old ideas, culture, and styles from the Greek & Roman empires.
Give one way that the mechanical clock helped improve society.
It made people able to schedule their day more precisely.
Name two prominent artists from the Renaissance time period.
Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Donatello, Rafael, etc.
Which countries were the first to invent each of the following:
The crossbow, the mechanical clock, the printing press, gunpowder, the compass, and the wheelbarrow
China was the first to invent all of them.
Give two reasons why you feel the Renaissance was contained to Europe, and didn't spread into neighboring countries in the Middle East and Russian areas.
(Answers may vary)
Explain how the Medici family was important to the rise of the Renaissance.
The Medici family sponsored artists, sculptors, architects, and inventors, uplifting the importance of the arts and giving more people a chance to show their talents. They did this because they wanted power and influence.
What was the Gutenberg printing press and how was it important during this time period?
The printing press was a device which allowed for books to be manufactured at a much faster rate than by hand. This led to many pieces of writing, such as the Bible and important literature, to be read by many more people than before.
What were two themes found in William Shakespeare's plays which made them unique when compared to previous popular literature?
Shakespeare's plays challenged power structures and humanized rulers. They also challenged gender norms.
How much did each of China & Japan interact with the rest of the world during the Renaissance time period?
China had some trade with Europe, and accepted missionaries who came to China. Japan allowed only the Dutch to land on the shores of Japan at one port (Dejima,) and even then they weren't allowed to set foot on the land.
Based on what we've learned about different countries like Germany, Italy, England, Japan, and China during this time period, what ingredients do you feel lead to progress in countries, and which do you feel lead to a lack of progress?
(Answers will vary)
What was the period of time in Europe before the Renaissance and the black plague called, what was it like, and how did it affect the beginning of the Renaissance?
It was called the dark or middle ages, it was a time of hard labor, low education, few rights, and lots of violence, and it affected the beginning of the Renaissance because people were tired of it and wanted something different.
What shift happened in our understanding of the nature of the planet during this time period?
It was discovered that the Earth is actually not the center of the universe, but one of several planets circling a sun, which is a star.
What movement did Martin Luther start, how did he do so, and how do we still see the results of his actions today?
Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses to the door of the church, challenging their laws and starting the Protestant Reformation. We still see the results in the many varieties of Christianity which are practiced.
To what degree was China also experiencing a Renaissance during this time period? To what degree was Japan experiencing a Renaissance during this time period?
China was having a time period very similar to the Renaissance in how much art, social reform, literature, and more was happening, but the reasons for it were different and it was not connected to Europe's. Japan was experiencing a particularly violent era lacking in progress.
Based on what we know of the values of the Renaissance, to what degree do you feel our modern society still embodies those values, and in which ways do you feel it doesn't?
(Answers will vary)
Give three key factors which contributed to the start of the Renaissance, and explain how each contributed.
The black plague reduced populations so that there was more land and money to go around. The looting of Constantinople led to Greek & Roman texts being spread around Europe. Aristocrats like the Medici family wanted to gain power and influence.
Give an example of a technology, idea, or discovery from the Renaissance that we have not talked about so far during this game, and explain two ways you feel it's important to the world today.
(Answers may vary)
Explain what Galileo discovered, how he discovered it, and why the Catholic church told him he was no longer allowed to continue his research.
Galileo discovered that the Earth revolved around the Sun, not the other way around. He discovered it by observing four moons orbiting Jupiter, and by observing the phases of Mercury to prove that it orbits the Sun. The Catholic church said that his discoveries disagreed with their beliefs, so he had to stop.
What do you think are two reasons why we don't often learn as much about China's contributions to technology and ideas as we do Europe's?
Europe improved on Chinese inventions. In America, we're an offshoot of Europe, and take more interest in its history.
Based on what we've learned about different countries and the way they've been changing during the Renaissance, make three predictions for what you feel happens next in history, and explain why you feel each would happen.
(Answers will vary.)