The Renaissance, Middle Ages, Roman, Europe, Greek, Culture, Medieval Civilization
The key terms in these history chapters include The Renaissance, Middle Ages, Roman, Europe, Greek, Culture, Medieval Civilization, Trade, Civilization, Philosophy, History.
The Renaissance
-c. 1350-1600
-The revival of intellectualism, literature, philosophy, and artistic achievement
-Spread westward and into northern Europe
-Continued the road started in the Middle Ages that would lead to modern Europe
Development of the Renaissance
-Began in Italy during the 14th century
-Conflicts between the papacy and the Holy Roman Empire in the 13th and 14th centuries resulted in regional autonomy (independent/self-government) for the Italian city-states
-The heritage of the Greek and Roman civilizations contributed to the development of the Italian Renaissance
-The Crusades focused attention eastward (on Greece and the Near East)
-By the 14th century, the move toward secularization was predominant
Literature and Philosophy
-Reflected the new secular trends
-Humanism stressed the importance of the individual
-Machiavelli’s “The Prince” stressed that “the ends justify the means” as a political philosophy
-The influence of the “classical” arts was strong, and a new emphasis was placed on science
The spread of the Renaissance throughout Europe
-The Renaissance of northern Europe emphasized the teachings of Christianity and placed less reliance on humanism
-The French Renaissance reflected a democratic realism
-The English Renaissance did not flower until the Elizabethan Age
General characteristics of the Renaissance
-The emphasis was on man rather than God
-There was a reawakening or rebirth of classical models
-The ideal of the “universal man” was widely held
Renaissance—Rebirth of Classical Greek and Roman Culture
-Works of Greeks and Romans reconnected Europeans with their ancient heritage
-Emphasis on “humanism”
—Progress through rational thought
—Universal nature of the human condition
-Secularism
—Writings of the Greek and Roman philosophers and commentaries on their works
—Free politics and governance from Church control
-Realism and formalism
—Art that emphasized the lives of everyday people realistic rather than idealized depictions
—Architecture based on Greek and Roman forms
England during the later Middle Ages
-The Norman Conquest (invasion of England by William the Conqueror, duke of Normandy) had a profound impact on the development of the culture, language, and judicial system of England
—The Battle of Hastings (1066) ended Anglo-Saxon rule in England
—By the 12th century, English common law was firmly established
—The Magna Carta (1215) limited the power of the king; it is the most important document in English constitutional law
—By the 14th century, the English Parliament was firmly established
The Magna Carta
-In 1215, King John was forced by the nobles to sing the Magna Carta
-Limited the power of the king and increased the power of the nobles
-Key provisions: King’s authority limited by law, rights of the king’s subjects declared (i.e. habeas corpus), respect for legal procedures
-Modern influence: constitutionalism/importance of a written constitution, individual rights, due process of the law, concept of a representative government, taxation with representation, trial by jury
-Would later be a significant influence on the American Constitution
English Parliament
-Firmly established by the 14th century
-Gained power at the expense of the king
-Composed of the House of Lords (titled nobility) and the House of Commons (gentry and middle classes)
Spain and Portugal during the later Middle Ages
-The Reconquista reestablished Christian control over Muslim Spain in 1492, Portugal in 1250
—The Spanish state was marked by strong, absolutist rule
—The monarch instituted inquisitions and also expelled the Jews
The Holy Roman Empire during the late Middle Ages
-The pope was dominant in religious matters and the monarch in secular matters
-A continuing power struggle evolved between the papacy and the secular ruler during the late Middle Ages
Characteristics of medieval civilization during the late Middle Ages
-Class division of society
-The decline of feudalism and manorialism
-The commercial revival
-Education
-Philosophy
-Architecture
Characteristics of medieval civilization during the late Middle Ages: society
Society was based on a strict class division: clergy and nobility were the privileged class, peasants and artisans were the work force, and serfs were tied to the land
Characteristics of medieval civilization during the late Middle Ages: feudalism/manorialism
The decline of feudalism and manorialism was evident by the 12th century and complete by the 16th century
Characteristics of medieval civilization during the late Middle Ages: commercial revival
The commercial revival led to the rise of towns.
-A true middle class emerged
-Economic activities in the towns were supervised by the guild system (merchant and craft guilds)
-The Crusades led to the revival of international trade
Characteristics of medieval civilization during the late Middle Ages: education
Education stressed the liberal arts.
-Theology influenced both religion and politics
-Universities were created in Paris, Oxford, and Cambridge during the 11th and 12th centuries
-Latin was the language of intellectual Europe; vernacular was used by the 12th century.
Characteristics of medieval civilization during the late Middle Ages: philosophy
Philosophy (Scholasticism) dealt with the consistency of faith and reason
Characteristics of medieval civilization during the late Middle Ages: architecture
Architecture was dominated by the Romanesque (11th-12th century) and Gothic (13th-15th century) styles
Historical interpretations of the Middle Ages
-A period of transition between ancient and modern Europe
-Unique with a distinctive culture; out of feudal customs and traditions that included Greek and Roman classical culture, influences from the Arab world and the East, and tenets of Judeo-Christian belief, evolved a modern Europe and the foundations of Western civilization emerged
The Renaissance
-c. 1350-1600
-The revival of intellectualism, literature, philosophy, and artistic achievement
-Spread westward and into northern Europe
-Continued the road started in the Middle Ages that would lead to modern Europe
Development of the Renaissance
-Began in Italy during the 14th century
-Conflicts between the papacy and the Holy Roman Empire in the 13th and 14th centuries resulted in regional autonomy (independent/self-government) for the Italian city-states
-The heritage of the Greek and Roman civilizations contributed to the development of the Italian Renaissance
-The Crusades focused attention eastward (on Greece and the Near East)
-By the 14th century, the move toward secularization was predominant
Literature and Philosophy
-Reflected the new secular trends
-Humanism stressed the importance of the individual
-Machiavelli’s “The Prince” stressed that “the ends justify the means” as a political philosophy
-The influence of the “classical” arts was strong, and a new emphasis was placed on science
The spread of the Renaissance throughout Europe
-The Renaissance of northern Europe emphasized the teachings of Christianity and placed less reliance on humanism
-The French Renaissance reflected a democratic realism
-The English Renaissance did not flower until the Elizabethan Age
General characteristics of the Renaissance
-The emphasis was on man rather than God
-There was a reawakening or rebirth of classical models
-The ideal of the “universal man” was widely held
Renaissance—Rebirth of Classical Greek and Roman Culture
-Works of Greeks and Romans reconnected Europeans with their ancient heritage
-Emphasis on “humanism”
—Progress through rational thought
—Universal nature of the human condition
-Secularism
—Writings of the Greek and Roman philosophers and commentaries on their works
—Free politics and governance from Church control
-Realism and formalism
—Art that emphasized the lives of everyday people realistic rather than idealized depictions
—Architecture based on Greek and Roman forms