1.

To what extent is the term Renaissance a valid concept

for a distinct period in early modern European history?
The Renaissance marked the beginning of what we know today as modern Europe. Society,
religion, politics, technology, and the arts all saw a large leap forward during this time period,
and boundaries were beginning to form that became the first steps to creating Europe as we
know it today.

During the 14th and 15th centuries, there was a new interest in knowledge and history.
Advancements/experiments in writing, painting, science, and invention
Rise of humanism: emphasized human achievements, interests, and capabilities
People began to question higher authorities
Renaissance means rebirth
Paintings began to use lines/shadows to show depth in pictures were no longer abstract
High Renaissance painters revolutionized art: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian:
The Four Giants
Architecture moved away from Gothic style of middle ages and back to classical Ancient
Greek/Roman styles
Printing press was a revolution for the publication of works, provided faster, easier access for
all of Europe.
Drama's evolution through critically acclaimed works of England's William Shakespeare
These aforementioned intellectual/cultural changes and themes would carry into the following
centuries and beyond

- Moved from feudal system to monarchies
- Humanism was in this time
- Turn towards secular learning- Platonism view of human nature from plato

2. European monarchs of the late fifteenth and early sixteenth
centuries are often referred to as the new monarchs. What
was new about them? Do their actions warrant this label?
- They were new because it was a growth of actual national monarchs over large territories due to
the decline of nobility and clergy power after the 100 years war and the great schism
- Towns began to ally with the king, they because workers for the king (lawyers etc)
- This alliance broke the bonds of the feudal society and made possible the rise of the states
- The monarchs held total control of taxation war making and law enforcement (not the vassals)
whereas this used to be held on small local levels they became NATIONAL matters
- Yes the actions warrant this label because it was the first time that Europe was united under
monarchs not just the church
- They created a national army of skilled soldiers that fought for pay and therefore were more
efficient than the feudal vassals that fought for honor
- Charles V-france Isabelle and Ferdinand- spain, Henry VII- england
3. . The Renaissance marked a new era in thought
and feeling Discuss.
- The renaissance placed importance on human life
- It valued education
- Exploration and trade prospered
- Imperializing the new world- gave money that helped the economy but caused inflation
- Private entrepreneurs
- Research
- The middle ages was feudalism and everything was controlled by the church it became more
secular
o People were separate they were obsessed with death, the black death, but the
renaissance was obsessed with life
4. . Explain the ways in which Italian Renaissance
humanism transformed ideas about the individuals
role in society.
a. Humanisms focused on human not god
- It made people feel that it was their duty to perform virtuous actions
- It placed emphasis on human dignity
- Before the renaissance people didnt value life it was all about just getting through the day to
now people feeling like they have importance in life
- They came to realize that education was important in a secular way of learning greek and roman
literature changing from clergy teachings.
- Poetry and plays and things for entertainment because they had the desires to enjoy life
- It went from the people being simply existing for the church to feeling a part of the secular
government in the growth of the national monarchies and their allies
- Petrarch- father of humanism
- Machiavelli said that people were supposed to be self-sacrificing and he had republican ideals
- Didnt look in the past looked towards the future
- THESIS: The Italian Renaissance transformed the ideas of the individuals role in society due to the
emergence of new social classes, new and more realistic art styles, and the rise of slavery in Europe.
- Merchants gained more power within city-states
- Emergence of new social classes in Florence
- old rich grandi, nobles and merchants
- new rich merchant class- popolo grosso
- masters, shop owners
- popolo minuto- little people lower economic class
- Social divisions produce conflict at every level of society.
- New emergence of Humanism
- New wave of thought
- More and more scholars
- New advancements in thought and philosophy
- New art styles reflect the thought of the Renaissance
- Realistic shadowing and depiction
- More realistic outlook on life and scientific views
- Role in society was to depict the lifestyle of a humanist
- Slavery emerged in the Renaissance
- Slaves were on plantations and in everyday households
- New social class and a domineering look onto them
- After black death, the request for slaves soared due to a loss of workers
- Owners had complete dominion over their slaves- complete control
- Slaves cost as much as a servant would make in 3 years
-
5. . What socioeconomic, political, and environmental
developments in the fourteenth century undermined the
prosperity and stability of medieval society?
- Socioeconomic-
o The black death made a scarisity of workers and the prices of agriculture decreased and
the demands decreased but the wages increased
o They changed to urbanization because people wanted finer things like artisan work
o Economy improved for some declined for others
- Political
o the feudal system and there was no unity because of the lands held by many different
people granted by the kings for loyalty
o The hundred years war
It split Europe
Made England make an internal industry and look for other places than france
for trade
- Environmental
Overpopulation made twice as many people as food and jobs, crop failures arose and there was great
famine and bad healts

6. . The Protestant Reformation was primarily and economic
event. By describing and determining the relative importance
of the economic, political and religious causes of the Protestant
Reformation, defend or refute this statement.
- Economics didnt have much to do with it.
- The reformation was primarily based on power.
o It was a political event
The 100 years wars was not a fight for religion but rather a fight for power
Ferdinand
- Didnt care about forcing religion, cared about regaining power
The French, Swedish, didnt want to aid huge power Germany
Spain on the other hand stuck with them because of religion and common
enemies.

7. . Luther was both a revolutionary and a conservative.
Evaluate this statement with respect to Luther s
responses to the political and social questions of his day.
- Good or bad of indulgences
- Celibacy
- Sacraments
- salvation? anyone who believes in and trusts Jesus Christ
Political Revolutionary:
-challenged reigning Holy Roman Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms
*challenged religious government and refused to bow to political pressures
-banned from the Holy Roman Empire
*stayed, however, and continued work in secret, thus risking life for revolution

Social Conservative:
-men should live simple lives emulating Jesus
-religion should be based solely on faith
-did not fight back against papal bulls (like the bull of excommunication against him)
-did not want to get religious movement involved in peasants social movement
*denounced peasant revolts
-was not fond of violent resistance to opposition
Although Luthers religious beliefs were revolutionary against the Catholic Church, they were not as extreme as the
beliefs of other religious fractions. For example, the Anabaptists, and other smaller groups, created their own
interpretations of the Bible. One of the Anabaptists beliefs was that adults should be rebabptized.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->&(;<!--[endif]-->Another reason Luther was conservative is because he did not want his
beliefs to be used in Politics. He was against the Peasant Uprising and did not want it to go further. In fact, he
supported the nobles repression of the Peasants revolt.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->&(;<!--[endif]-->He also did not agree with the ideas of Erasmus and other humanist

8. . The Reformation was a rejection of the secular spirit of the
Renaissance. Defend or refute this statement using specific
examples from sixteenth-century Europe.
a. Contrary to the Middle Ages, when the afterlife and glorifying God was the primary
focus, the Renaissance concentrated increasingly on the present day, demonstrating a
more secular philosophy. Humanism developed, making human beings, and not God,
the center of attention. People not longer considered their lives solely as a preparation
for the afterlife, but instead gave them actual value. The church's authority fused with
that of the state, resulting in a monopolized power greatly influenced by religion. The
rejection of the secular spirit of the Italian Renaissance can be seen in the varying art
themes of the Reformation. The Reformation rejected the secular spirit that had
developed during the Italian Renaissance and replaced it with a more religiously
obedient, strict lifestyle.
b. The development of humanism during the Italian Renaissance prompted people to focus
more on the present day and their interests outside of the church. The arts, including
music, fine arts, and architecture
c.
d. get better grades all flourished. People of the Reformation, however, dedicated
themselves entirely to Protestantism. The Protestant faith was not only a religion, but a
way of life. The free and critical thinking that was encouraged during the Italian
Renaissance became more restricted as people focused increasingly on work and
obedience. Protestants disapproved of the secularism and indulgences of the Italian
Renaissance. They esteemed to establish a more pious, faith driven society. People
were encouraged to work hard and devote themselves entirely to their vocation,
regardless of their social class. Although religion remained dominant during the Italian
Renaissance, people discovered more, and broadened their horizons separate from the
Church whereas Protestantism promoted a constant connection to faith.
e. Hard work and total devotion to God were the main principles of the Protestantism. It
was believed that each individual has a personal connection to God through their
beliefs, and...
9. 9. What were the responses of the Catholic authorities in the sixteenth
century to the challenges posed by the Lutheran Reformation? How
successful were they?
a. The Catholics rejected the protestant revolt because they wanted all the power
b. Starting with the council of trent and ending with the 100 years war.
i. Trent= pope had supreme control. Very conservative-no Christian humanism
allowed. 100 years war- War between two religions-ended with treaty of
Westphalia which gave all rights that had in peace of augsburg
ii. The Counter-Reformation was a comprehensive effort, composed of four major
elements
1. 1.Ecclesiastical or structural reconfiguration- (Council of Trent)
foundations of seminaries
2. 2.Spiritual movements- Jesuits strengthened rural parishes, improved
popular piety, helped to curb corruption within the church, and set
examples that would be a strong impetus for Catholic renewal
a. Ignatius of Loyola-emphasized moral self-discipline. Disciplined
study and regular practice
4.Political dimensions- The church wanted the increased power they
once contained
- Not successful- overall numbers in clergy fell. Cloisters gone (nunnerys) .
Churches worship was decreased to 1/3. Worship completely venecular.
Indulgence preachers no longer appeared. Lutheren strengthened
- Thesis:
The Catholic Church launched the Counter-Reformation through a
variety of tactics, including as through a return to simple piety, new
religious orders and the Council of Trent, and each one was successful.
- Reform = Council of Trent
- -Focused on discipline in the Church
- -Stop simony
- -New powers & rules for bishops
- +Control popular religious devotions
- +But must stay in diocese & be visible
- -Enforced disciplines on priest
- +Presentable
- +Celibate
- +Active in parish life
- -No doctrinal issue changes
- +reaffirmed & supported all dogma
- +No change in hierarchy, papacy, the sacraments, clerical celibacy etc.
- -Was successful
- +Parish life revived
-
- Return to Piety = new religious order (Capuchins, Ursulines. Etc,)
- -orders created to reform church/popular piety
- -Theatines
- +create devout & reform-minded leaders
- +co-founder Bishop Gian Pietro Carafa (Pope Paul IV)
- -Capuchins
- +return to original ideals of St. Francis
- -Somaschi & Barnabites
- +repair moral, spiritual, and physical damage of Italy
- -Ursulines
- +religious education of girls
- -2 major saints
- +Sts. Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross
- +Carmelites
- +revival of mystical piety
- -All started to push the hierarchy to begin reforming
-
- Jesuits = defend & teach faith
- -St. Ignatius of Lyola
- +Founder
- +Wrote Spitirual Exercises
- -Taught submission to Church
- +against Protestants which left Church
- -Traditional spirituality and mysticism
- -Success
- +won many Protestants back to the Church
- +gave huge success to the Counter-Reformation
- +Huge following, and spread throughout the world
-
10. Evaluate the relative importance of the religious rivalries and dynastic ambitions that shaped
the course of the Thirty Years War.