Worldviews
What is a worldview?
A worldview is a set of beliefs and values that shape how people see and understand the world.
What country did the Renaissance begin in?
Italy
Name one reason Europeans wanted to explore new lands.
Gold, God, Glory, trade routes, spices, curiosity.
Who was the Spanish conquistador who led the conquest of the Aztec Empire?
Hernán Cortés
What was the period of isolation in Japan called?
Sakoku/edo (1639–1853)
Name 3 things that influence a society's worldview.
Geography, religion, time, society, beliefs, values, knowledge.
What is humanism?
A philosophy that emphasizes the value of humans and focuses on reason, science, and classical learning.
What trade route connected Europe and Asia during the Middle Ages?
The Silk Road
What was the primary reason the Spanish wanted to conquer the Aztecs?
To acquire gold and wealth, expand territory, and spread Christianity (God, Gold, Glory).
Why did Japan adopt a policy of isolation during the Edo period?
To prevent foreign influence, especially from Christianity, and maintain political stability.
What is the difference between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance worldview?
The Middle Ages focused on religion and hierarchy, while the Renaissance emphasized individualism and humanism.
Name two famous Renaissance artists.
Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello
What is imperialism?
A policy of extending a country’s power by conquering new lands.
How did the Spanish worldview differ from that of the Aztecs?
The Spanish viewed land as property to be owned, while the Aztecs saw it as sacred, tied to their gods. The Spanish also prioritised Christianity, while the Aztecs had their own polytheistic religion.
Who was the Japanese leader responsible for starting the policy of Sakoku?
Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Tokugawa Shogun.
How did geography influence the worldview of Indigenous peoples in Canada?
Their close relationship with the land shaped their spiritual beliefs and community values.
How did the printing press help change the worldview in Europe?
It made books cheaper and ideas more accessible, spreading knowledge faster.
Who was the first European to explore parts of Canada?
Jacques Cartier
What role did disease play in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire?
Diseases like smallpox devastated the Aztec population, weakening their resistance and contributing to their eventual defeat.
What event forced Japan to open its borders in the 19th century?
The arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry from the United States in 1853 with his "black ships," demanding trade relations.
How did worldview impact conflict between Europeans and First Nations?
Differing ideas of land ownership, religion, and society caused misunderstandings and conflict.
What is the significance of Machiavelli’s "The Prince"?
It introduced realistic and sometimes harsh political ideas – “The end justifies the means.”
How did contact with Europeans impact Indigenous peoples?
Diseases, changes to lifestyle, loss of land, cultural disruption.
How did Hernán Cortés form alliances with other Indigenous groups in Mexico?
He allied with Indigenous peoples who were enemies of the Aztecs, particularly the Tlaxcalans, to help fight against the Aztec Empire.
What was the Meiji Restoration?
The period (1868–1912) when Japan ended its feudal system, modernized, and rapidly industrialized, transforming from a secluded feudal society to a world power.