Unit 2: The Renaissance and Reformation
Following the collapse of the Roman Empire in the 4th Century, the Western world fell into a period commonly know as the “Dark Ages”. This era was also called the Middle Ages or Medieval period. During this time, many of the philosophical, scientific and political breakthroughs of the ancient Greco-Roman world were lost for almost a thousand years. Feudalism and monarchy replaced democracy as a dominant form of government. Myth and unquestioned faith replaced logic and reason as a way to understand the world.
However, beginning in Italy in the 1400’s and then gradually spreading across western and northern Europe by the 1700’s an “intellectual revolution” began. A rebirth of classical ideals sparked new attitudes about politics, art, religion, science and literature. The ideals of humanism, secularism and individualism were at the heart of all the diverse intellectual changes happening at this time. People began to question accepted beliefs and accepted sources of authority and knowledge. People were able to print, share, and interpret their own documents. No longer was society built upon conformity. Artists and Mathematicians were creating works which construed a new world which challenged many commonly held beliefs.
We will also study the Reformation, the first main break with the Catholic Church’s domination of Europe, including Martin Luther’s newly found Protestant Christianity (look at the word “Protestant).
During this unit, you will come to better understand some of the major motivations, examples and effects of these new ways of thinking. Also, you will better grasp how the intellectual developments of this period set precedents that continue to shape our modern world today.
Themes
Terms
Renaissance
Humanism
Individualism
Michelangelo
Da Vinci
Gutenberg
Martin Luther
Indulgence
Protestant
Calvinism
Absolute Monarch
Divine right
Louis XIV
Versailles
Peter the Great
Westernization
Copernicus
Heliocentric
Galileo
Following the collapse of the Roman Empire in the 4th Century, the Western world fell into a period commonly know as the “Dark Ages”. This era was also called the Middle Ages or Medieval period. During this time, many of the philosophical, scientific and political breakthroughs of the ancient Greco-Roman world were lost for almost a thousand years. Feudalism and monarchy replaced democracy as a dominant form of government. Myth and unquestioned faith replaced logic and reason as a way to understand the world.
However, beginning in Italy in the 1400’s and then gradually spreading across western and northern Europe by the 1700’s an “intellectual revolution” began. A rebirth of classical ideals sparked new attitudes about politics, art, religion, science and literature. The ideals of humanism, secularism and individualism were at the heart of all the diverse intellectual changes happening at this time. People began to question accepted beliefs and accepted sources of authority and knowledge. People were able to print, share, and interpret their own documents. No longer was society built upon conformity. Artists and Mathematicians were creating works which construed a new world which challenged many commonly held beliefs.
We will also study the Reformation, the first main break with the Catholic Church’s domination of Europe, including Martin Luther’s newly found Protestant Christianity (look at the word “Protestant).
During this unit, you will come to better understand some of the major motivations, examples and effects of these new ways of thinking. Also, you will better grasp how the intellectual developments of this period set precedents that continue to shape our modern world today.
Themes
- What were the causes of the Renaissance
- What was the importance of trade leading to the Renaissance
- What were the unifying and dividing forces in Europe
- Describe the different changes in Renaissance art (symbolism, materials, objects)
- Who were some the key political, religious, artistic figures during the Renaissance
- Identify and explain the political, social, and economic effects of the Reformation
- How was Martin Luther’s 95 Thesis accepted
Terms
Renaissance
Humanism
Individualism
Michelangelo
Da Vinci
Gutenberg
Martin Luther
Indulgence
Protestant
Calvinism
Absolute Monarch
Divine right
Louis XIV
Versailles
Peter the Great
Westernization
Copernicus
Heliocentric
Galileo