Transformation of the West, 1450-1750

I. European Renaissance Renaissance – means “rebirth”, refers to a revival in art and learning Italian Renaissance: 1300-1450 Northern Renaissance: 1450-1600 Connection to ancient Greece and Rome Renaissance artists/scholars looked to the works and ideas of ancient Greeks and Romans for inspiration Religion declined as a central focus Humanism – an intellectual movement that focused on human potential and achievements Society became more secular – worldly, rather than spiritual, and concerned with the here and now CHALLENGE QUESTION!

I. continued… Wealthy merchants and monarchs (kings and queens) became patrons of the arts Information/ideas spread quickly 1300s, moveable type reached Europe from China 1440s – Johann Gutenberg invents the printing press, can print whole books quickly and cheaply Bible was first book to be printed using these new techniques (1455) Changes to the family Beginning of European-style family pattern – late marriage age, focus on the nuclear family, smaller families

II. Reformation Reformation – a movement for religious reform CHALLENGE QUESTION! Reformation – a movement for religious reform Why were people upset? Northern nobles/merchants disliked paying taxes to church in Rome Church leaders were corrupt/uneducated Printing press made it possible to quickly spread these new ideas/information about Church reform Martin Luther (1483-1546) Angry over the practice of selling indulgences: A pardon that released a sinner from performing the penalty that a priest imposed for sins Many thought that buying indulgences guaranteed them a spot in heaven

II. Continued… Wrote the 95 Theses (formal statements) attacking the Church People should be able to interpret Bible for themselves Challenged authority of the Pope Declared an outlaw and heretic Rise of Protestant religions term used to describe Christians who belonged to non-Catholic churches Examples: Lutheranism, Calvinism, Anglicism Catholic Reformation – response to Protestantism, rise of the Jesuits Sponsored education reform, missionaries into Asia, Americas

Western Europe during Renaissance & Reformation

III. Impact of Renaissance & Reformation Conflict among Christians became common Edict of Nantes (1598) – ended fighting between Calvinists and Catholics in France Thirty Years War (1618-1648) – Protestants vs. Catholics in Germany; devastated population, economy Treaty of Westphalia (1648) – ended fighting, gave German Protestant leaders independent control, Netherlands freedom from Catholic Spain English Civil War (1642-1649) – concerned religious issues and Parliamentary rights; King Charles I beheaded Religious conflicts affected every aspect of life More questioning of religion’s role in life Political balance shifted (rise of France, Britain, Netherlands) Decline of papal authority

III. Continued… Witchcraft persecution – women, poor often accused Uneducated masses had no way of dealing with drastic changes in society Commercial Revolution leads to inequalities and social unrest World Economy brings greater access to wealth Also brings inflation, commercialization Prices rise, but continued production/trade brings opportunities Ordinary peasants could enjoy aspects of life not previously available Wine, spices, sugar, kitchenware, furniture Emergence of the proletariat – people without access to wealth-producing property Many became manufacturing workers, urbanized poor

EXIT TICKET, 2/15 Why was Martin Luther upset? 2 reasons. How did the religious conflicts of the 16th and 17th centuries affect Western Europe? What was the effect of the Commercial Revolution?

IV. Scientific Revolution & Enlightenment Scientific Revolution – 17th century European intellectual movement Resulted in rise of scientific research/experimentation and rational thinking New technologies and tools extend scientific possibilities Microscope, telescope, observations of natural world Fathers of Scientific Revolution Copernicus Galileo William Harvey Isaac Newton

IV. Continued… Beginning of cultural transformation of West Science, not religion, slowly becomes central to intellectual life New beliefs concerning divinity, faith Deism – role of God was to set natural laws in motion, not regulate John Locke – everything you needed to know through senses and reason, not faith Helped usher in the Enlightenment Rise of rational thinking, applying of scientific method to study of society Human beings are good, reason is key to truth, religions that rely on blind faith and/or do not tolerate diversity are wrong Literacy rates rose, progressive thinking concerning women

V. Further Political & Economic Changes 17th century signaled the end of the feudal system Rise of the absolute monarch – king/queen with complete power over military and population No longer relied on nobles for control Examples: France, Spain, Prussia Conflicts with parliaments Glorious Revolution – (1688-1689) English parliament no longer relied on King to make decisions, had power to monitor major policies Rise of the nation-state – political unit consisting of an autonomous state inhabited mostly by people sharing a common culture, history, and language

V. Continued… Changes in central Europe Frederick the Great (Prussia) introduced a number of reforms, while continuing tradition of absolute monarchy Greater freedom of religion, promoted equity Encouraged agricultural improvements – introduced the potato Manufacturing & agricultural improvements Introduction of New World crops leads to increased food supply, health Manufacturing increased as trade increased Will usher in the Industrial Revolution

CHALLENGE QUESTION What previous developments made it possible for the Renaissance in Western Europe to happen? Complete sentences, paragraph. BACK

CHALLENGE QUESTION Make a prediction! Why were people, such as Martin Luther, upset with the Catholic Church? Complete sentences, paragraph. BACK