The Renaissance, Reformation and Absolute Monarchs
Unit 3: Essential Questions
1. Discuss the causes and effects/legacies of the Renaissance.
The last phase of the Middle Ages was distinguished by war and plague, so those that survived wanted to celebrate life and the human spirit. Many also began to question the power of the Church. On the one hand people tried to bring back the glory days of Ancient Greece and Rome, but in doing so, they created something new. Writers and artists began to express many of these new ideas through their art and literature, giving birth to an explosion of creativity and innovation. In fact, the term Renaissance means rebirth, and in this context refers to the revival of art and learning.
Specific factors that contributed to the start and spread of these new ideas include the growth of large city-states (p. 471), the development of a wealthy merchant class (pp. 471-472), and the legacy of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome (p. 472).
The Renaissance had a profound effect on scholars and artists, changing their outlook on life and art. This includes the development of an intellectual movement called humanism, the belief that it was acceptable to enjoy worldly pleasures, and wealthy people becoming patrons (supporters) of the arts (pp. 472-473). This in turn led to many changes and developments in art, e.g. the use of perspective and realism in art. Famous artists include Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, and many others, and writers such as Dante, Petrarch and Boccaccio in Italy, and further away in England, the well-known William Shakespeare. You can read more about this on pp. 474 – 477. It goes without saying that the Renaissance left a huge legacy that we still benefit from today, bringing about great artistic and social changes. One Renaissance invention, the development of printing by Johann Gutenberg, is particularly significant (WHY?), and probably comparable to the changes that computers brought to our society today. These accomplishments are briefly described on p. 485.
2. Discuss two important people or groups of the Renaissance period and explain why they were important to the event.
This question involves researching and discussing three people or groups of people that influenced the Renaissance. Ideas include
Some of the information can be found in your textbook, and you could use the index to find information about specific people. However, you will probably find better information using reliable resources on the Internet.
This question involves researching and discussing three people or groups of people that influenced the Renaissance. Ideas include
- PATRONS WHO SUPPORTED THE ARTS: The Medici Family
- ARTISTS: Donatello, Leonard da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Michelangelo, Gentileschi, various German and Flemish painters
- AUTHORS: Petrarch, Machiavelli, Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare
- INVENTORS/SCIENTISTS: Johann Gutenberg, Nicholas Copernicus, Galileo
- POLITICAL THINKERS/THEOLOGISTS: Thomas More, Martin Luther and Erasmus
- RULERS: Catherine de Medici of France, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I of England
- EXPLORERS: Ferdinand Magellan, Christopher Columbus, Bartolomeu Diaz, Vasco da Gama
- OTHERS: Joan of Arc
Some of the information can be found in your textbook, and you could use the index to find information about specific people. However, you will probably find better information using reliable resources on the Internet.
3. Discuss the causes and effects/legacies of the Reformation.
The Protestant Reformation was the 16th-century religious, political, intellectual and cultural upheaval that fractured Catholic Europe, setting in place the structures and beliefs that would define the continent in the modern era. Reformers such as Martin Luther, John Calvin and Henry VIII challenged the pope’s authority and questioned the Catholic Church’s ability to define Christian practice. The movement triggered wars, persecutions and the so-called Counter-Reformation, the Catholic Church’s delayed but forceful response to the Protestants.
The causes of the Reformation can be classified under the following headings: social, political, economic and religious, as listed on p. 488. The effect of this is the birth of various branches of Protestantism, including Lutheranism, Calvinism and Anglicanism. You can read how Martin Luther challenged the authority of the Catholic Church, and how this eventually led to a revolt amongst German peasants and even a war amongst various German royalty on pp. 488- 490, how England followed in their footsteps by becoming Protestant too on pp. 492 - 494, and finally, how Switzerland under John Calvin formalized these Protestant ideas on pp. 495 – 496. The Catholic Church responded to these challenges by bringing about some changes within their church, which is described on pp. 498 – 499.
These outcomes of the Reformation had an enduring impact on Western Europe; in fact, it set the stage for the modern world and also ended Christian unity. You can read about the long-term legacy of the Reformation on p. 500.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: http://www.history.com/topics/reformation
The Protestant Reformation was the 16th-century religious, political, intellectual and cultural upheaval that fractured Catholic Europe, setting in place the structures and beliefs that would define the continent in the modern era. Reformers such as Martin Luther, John Calvin and Henry VIII challenged the pope’s authority and questioned the Catholic Church’s ability to define Christian practice. The movement triggered wars, persecutions and the so-called Counter-Reformation, the Catholic Church’s delayed but forceful response to the Protestants.
The causes of the Reformation can be classified under the following headings: social, political, economic and religious, as listed on p. 488. The effect of this is the birth of various branches of Protestantism, including Lutheranism, Calvinism and Anglicanism. You can read how Martin Luther challenged the authority of the Catholic Church, and how this eventually led to a revolt amongst German peasants and even a war amongst various German royalty on pp. 488- 490, how England followed in their footsteps by becoming Protestant too on pp. 492 - 494, and finally, how Switzerland under John Calvin formalized these Protestant ideas on pp. 495 – 496. The Catholic Church responded to these challenges by bringing about some changes within their church, which is described on pp. 498 – 499.
These outcomes of the Reformation had an enduring impact on Western Europe; in fact, it set the stage for the modern world and also ended Christian unity. You can read about the long-term legacy of the Reformation on p. 500.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: http://www.history.com/topics/reformation
4. Discuss two important people or groups of the Reformation and explain why they were important to the event?
This question involves researching and discussing three people who influenced the Reformation. Once again, some of the information can be found in your textbook, and you could use the index to find information about specific people. However, you will probably find better information using reliable resources on the Internet.
The most famous person of this period would be Johann Gutenberg, inventor of the movable type printing. He also produced the Gutenberg Bible. This invention was critical in enabling the spread of the printed works of the Protestant reformation.
Most of the other people you could research were theologians who contributed their thoughts and ideas about the Church, and contributed to the growing criticism against the abuse of power by the Roman Catholic Church. Here you could look at the contributions made by Martin Luther, John Calvin and John Knox Other possibilities are political thinkers and leaders from the previous list such as Thomas More and King Henry VIII.
This question involves researching and discussing three people who influenced the Reformation. Once again, some of the information can be found in your textbook, and you could use the index to find information about specific people. However, you will probably find better information using reliable resources on the Internet.
The most famous person of this period would be Johann Gutenberg, inventor of the movable type printing. He also produced the Gutenberg Bible. This invention was critical in enabling the spread of the printed works of the Protestant reformation.
Most of the other people you could research were theologians who contributed their thoughts and ideas about the Church, and contributed to the growing criticism against the abuse of power by the Roman Catholic Church. Here you could look at the contributions made by Martin Luther, John Calvin and John Knox Other possibilities are political thinkers and leaders from the previous list such as Thomas More and King Henry VIII.
5. Explain the origins of absolute monarchy in Spain, France and England using specific examples related to the chart on p. 594.
The Reformation brought about much religious and economic instability to many European countries, including Spain, France and England. To cope with religious and territorial conflicts, many heads of government would assume more economic and political power, and suppress all opposition by whatever means necessary. They would become absolute rulers, i.e. they held all the power within their countries and control every aspect of society, including religious authority. In fact, many absolute monarchs believed in divine right, the idea that God created the monarchy and that they acted as God’s representatives on earth; they answered to God only, and not to their subjects! Unfortunately but predictably, this would usually lead to an abuse of power, and would then eventually lead to the people of the country revolting against this power and eventually limiting what they could do. You can read how this happened in Spain (pp. 589 – 592), France (pp. 596 – 602) and England (pp. 614 – 617).
The Reformation brought about much religious and economic instability to many European countries, including Spain, France and England. To cope with religious and territorial conflicts, many heads of government would assume more economic and political power, and suppress all opposition by whatever means necessary. They would become absolute rulers, i.e. they held all the power within their countries and control every aspect of society, including religious authority. In fact, many absolute monarchs believed in divine right, the idea that God created the monarchy and that they acted as God’s representatives on earth; they answered to God only, and not to their subjects! Unfortunately but predictably, this would usually lead to an abuse of power, and would then eventually lead to the people of the country revolting against this power and eventually limiting what they could do. You can read how this happened in Spain (pp. 589 – 592), France (pp. 596 – 602) and England (pp. 614 – 617).