🏺Early World Civilizations Unit 17 – The Renaissance and Age of Exploration

Key Events and Timeline

• The Renaissance began in Italy in the 14th century and spread throughout Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries
• The fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire in 1453 led to the migration of Greek scholars to Italy, bringing classical knowledge and texts
• The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440 revolutionized the dissemination of knowledge and ideas
• The Age of Exploration began in the 15th century with Portuguese and Spanish voyages along the coast of Africa (Bartolomeu Dias) and to the Americas (Christopher Columbus)
• The Protestant Reformation, initiated by Martin Luther's 95 Theses in 1517, challenged the authority of the Catholic Church and led to religious and political upheaval
• The Council of Trent (1545-1563) was convened by the Catholic Church to address the challenges posed by the Protestant Reformation and institute reforms
• The signing of the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494 divided the New World between Spain and Portugal, setting the stage for colonial expansion
• The defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 by England marked a shift in naval power and the rise of the English as a major colonial force

Cultural and Artistic Developments

• The Renaissance saw a revival of classical learning and a renewed interest in the arts, literature, and philosophy (humanism)
• Artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael created iconic works that exemplified the Renaissance ideals of realism, proportion, and perspective
  • Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper" are renowned for their innovative techniques and psychological depth
  • Michelangelo's sculptures (David) and frescoes (Sistine Chapel ceiling) showcase his mastery of the human form and complex compositions
• The development of linear perspective in art allowed for the creation of more realistic and spatially accurate depictions of the world
• The Renaissance also witnessed the emergence of new literary forms and genres, such as the sonnet, the essay (Michel de Montaigne), and the novel ("Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes)
• The invention of the printing press facilitated the spread of ideas and knowledge, making books and pamphlets more widely available
• The Renaissance music saw the development of polyphony, the madrigal, and the rise of instrumental music (lute, violin)
• Architecture during the Renaissance was characterized by a revival of classical forms, proportions, and ornamentation (columns, domes, arches)

Scientific and Technological Advancements

• The Renaissance marked a shift towards empirical observation and experimentation in the pursuit of knowledge
• The heliocentric model of the solar system, proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus, challenged the prevailing geocentric view and laid the foundation for modern astronomy
  • Copernicus's "On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres" (1543) presented the idea that the Earth and other planets revolve around the Sun
• Galileo Galilei's improvements to the telescope and his observations of the Moon, Jupiter's moons, and sunspots provided evidence supporting the heliocentric model
• Andreas Vesalius's anatomical studies and his book "De humani corporis fabrica" (1543) revolutionized the understanding of human anatomy and physiology
• William Harvey's discovery of the circulatory system and the function of the heart advanced medical knowledge
• The development of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440 enabled the mass production of books and the dissemination of ideas
• Advancements in cartography and navigation, such as the use of the magnetic compass and the astrolabe, facilitated exploration and maritime trade
• The invention of gunpowder and the improvement of firearms technology changed the nature of warfare and contributed to the rise of centralized nation-states

Political and Economic Changes

• The Renaissance saw the rise of powerful city-states in Italy, such as Florence, Venice, and Milan, which became centers of art, culture, and commerce
• The growth of trade and banking during the Renaissance led to the emergence of a prosperous merchant class and the development of early forms of capitalism
  • The Medici family of Florence exemplified the power and influence of successful merchants and bankers
• The Renaissance also witnessed the consolidation of power by monarchs and the formation of centralized nation-states (Spain, France, England)
• The Protestant Reformation challenged the authority of the Catholic Church and led to the fragmentation of religious and political unity in Europe
  • The Peace of Augsburg (1555) established the principle of "cuius regio, eius religio," allowing rulers to determine the religion of their territories
• The Age of Exploration and the establishment of overseas colonies by European powers led to the growth of global trade networks and the exploitation of indigenous populations
• The influx of wealth from the New World, particularly gold and silver, transformed European economies and contributed to the rise of mercantilism
• The enclosure movement in England, which converted common land to private property, led to the displacement of peasants and the growth of a landless labor force

Exploration and Global Connections

• The Renaissance spirit of inquiry and the desire for glory and wealth fueled the Age of Exploration
• Portuguese explorers, such as Bartolomeu Dias and Vasco da Gama, established a sea route to India and the Spice Islands (Indonesia), bypassing the overland Silk Roads
• Christopher Columbus's voyages to the Americas (1492-1504) initiated the Columbian Exchange, a transfer of plants, animals, diseases, and cultures between the Old and New Worlds
  • The introduction of New World crops (potatoes, maize, tomatoes) to Europe transformed agriculture and diets
  • The spread of Old World diseases (smallpox, measles) to the Americas devastated indigenous populations
• The Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) divided the New World between Spain and Portugal, leading to the establishment of vast overseas empires
• Spanish conquistadors, such as Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro, conquered the Aztec and Inca empires, respectively, and established colonial rule in the Americas
• The Atlantic slave trade, which began in the 16th century, forcibly transported millions of Africans to the Americas to work on plantations and mines
• The circumnavigation of the globe by Ferdinand Magellan's expedition (1519-1522) demonstrated the vastness of the Earth and the interconnectedness of the world's oceans
• The establishment of the Manila Galleon trade route connected the Spanish colonies in the Philippines with Mexico, facilitating the exchange of goods and silver between Asia and the Americas

Key Figures and Their Contributions

• Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519): Italian polymath renowned for his paintings (Mona Lisa, The Last Supper), scientific studies, and inventions
• Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564): Italian sculptor, painter, and architect; created iconic works such as the David sculpture and the Sistine Chapel ceiling frescoes
• Raphael Sanzio (1483-1520): Italian painter and architect; known for his harmonious compositions and idealized figures (The School of Athens)
• Johannes Gutenberg (c. 1400-1468): German inventor credited with the development of the printing press and movable type, which revolutionized the dissemination of knowledge
• Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543): Polish astronomer who proposed the heliocentric model of the solar system, challenging the prevailing geocentric view
• Galileo Galilei (1564-1642): Italian astronomer, physicist, and mathematician; made significant improvements to the telescope and provided evidence supporting the heliocentric model
• Martin Luther (1483-1546): German theologian and religious reformer whose 95 Theses challenged the authority of the Catholic Church and sparked the Protestant Reformation
• John Calvin (1509-1564): French theologian and a key figure in the Protestant Reformation; his ideas influenced the development of Calvinism and Presbyterianism
• Henry VIII (1491-1547): King of England who broke with the Catholic Church and established the Church of England, initiating the English Reformation
• Elizabeth I (1533-1603): Queen of England who presided over a period of cultural flourishing (Elizabethan era) and the defeat of the Spanish Armada

Impact on Society and Daily Life

• The Renaissance led to a renewed interest in education and learning, with the establishment of universities and the spread of humanism
• The invention of the printing press made books and knowledge more accessible to a wider audience, contributing to increased literacy rates
• The growth of trade and commerce during the Renaissance led to the emergence of a prosperous merchant class and the rise of urban centers
• The Protestant Reformation challenged the religious monopoly of the Catholic Church and led to the proliferation of diverse religious beliefs and practices
  • The emphasis on individual faith and the priesthood of all believers in Protestantism encouraged personal religious devotion and Bible reading
• The Age of Exploration expanded European knowledge of the world and led to the establishment of global trade networks, introducing new goods (spices, textiles) and ideas to European society
• The influx of wealth from the New World transformed European economies and contributed to the rise of consumerism and luxury goods
• The Renaissance also saw changes in social hierarchies, with the rise of the merchant class and the decline of the feudal system
• The spread of Renaissance ideas and values, such as individualism and humanism, influenced attitudes towards the self, society, and the natural world
• The Renaissance also had an impact on gender roles and expectations, with some women (Isabella d'Este, Christine de Pizan) achieving prominence in the arts and literature, although societal norms still limited their opportunities

Legacy and Historical Significance

• The Renaissance marked a transition from the medieval to the modern era, characterized by a renewed interest in classical learning, individualism, and humanism
• The cultural and artistic achievements of the Renaissance, such as the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Shakespeare, continue to inspire and influence artists and thinkers to this day
• The scientific discoveries and advancements made during the Renaissance, such as the heliocentric model and the scientific method, laid the foundation for the Scientific Revolution and modern science
• The Protestant Reformation's challenge to the authority of the Catholic Church led to the fragmentation of religious unity in Europe and the emergence of diverse Christian denominations
• The Age of Exploration and the establishment of European colonies in the Americas, Africa, and Asia had far-reaching consequences, including the displacement and exploitation of indigenous populations, the Atlantic slave trade, and the global exchange of goods, ideas, and diseases (Columbian Exchange)
• The political and economic changes of the Renaissance, such as the rise of centralized nation-states and the growth of international trade, set the stage for the development of modern capitalism and globalization
• The Renaissance emphasis on education and learning contributed to the Enlightenment and the democratization of knowledge
• The legacy of the Renaissance can be seen in the enduring influence of its art, literature, and ideas on Western culture and beyond, shaping our understanding of the individual, society, and the world