That “other” Renaissance  Italy begins to decline as a Renaissance “center” around 1500  The Northern Renaissance: focused in France, Germany, & England after 1450  Northern Renaissance focused on religion more than Italian Renaissance; but still mainly involved in culture, architecture, and the arts

Power Politics  Interest in military conquest grew throughout Europe.  Decline in “feudal” alliances  Monarchy’s grow stronger; kings push for expansion  Alliances made, but “just for looks” Example: Francis I (king of France) forms alliance with Ottoman Turk leader. But his main goal is to have this alliance act as a distraction towards his real target – the ruler of Austria & Spain.

“Down like the Economy” – Lil Wayne  ECONOMY & TECHNOLOGY:  Stronger iron products in the West (Europe)  Increased trading contacts w/ Asia  Printing introduced in 15 th century; Johannes Gutenberg (no relation) Gutenberg (still no relation) improved the printing technology previously developed by the Chinese This leads to increase in book distribution – helps Renaissance writers reach a larger audience; also leads to increase in literacy rates

“We are Family!... Get up everybody and SING!” (but seriously…DON’T!)  New Family Structure: Later marriages – usually not until late-20’s Family was focused on the “nuclear” family and not the extended family living together ○ Nuclear family – yo mama, yo daddy, yo seesters, yo bruthas ○ Extended family – all of the above PLUS: yo aunties, yo uncles, yo grandparents, yo cousins.  These changes to family structure started occurring in the 16 th century  Linked family’s with property; most people could NOT marry unless they had property or access to property  Late marriages also limited overcrowding because families had fewer children! (like an old school birth control method! – Nueces County needs this…like now!!!)  GOT IT?! Good!

The Protestant & Catholic Reformations  During the 16 th century religious upheaval began to occur in Europe  Religious Upheaval! Ahhhh! >:0

The original Martin Luther (no not King Jr.)  Martin Luther          German monk In 1517, he nailed a document to the door of a castle church in Germany ○ The document had his 95 theses (propositions) BIG idea – he protested against the pope’s representatives for selling indulgences (grants for salvation) in exchange for money. Luther believed that only faith could grant salvation. ○ Luther also argued that priests should be allowed to marry and that the bible should be translated from Latin so others could read/understand it. Luther picks up support from followers during the mid- 16 th century

Other Christian Groups  England: King Henry VIII – set up the Anglican Church to challenge the pope’s attempt to enforce his first marriage (failed to “produce” a son/heir) ○ Side-Story: Henry VIII had 6 wives (possibly more); he executed 2 of them for not “producing” a son/heir…well allegedly executed them  France/Germany/Others Jean Calvin – Frenchman; “Calvinism” claims that God had a pre- destination or pre-determination of those who would be granted salvation ○ Calvinism was accepted in parts of Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands, Hungary, and in England & Scotland

“We will not go quietly into the night” – President Whitmore, ‘Independence Day’  SWEET movie  Catholic Church did NOT restore religious unity, but did defend key areas of Europe for the Catholic faith.  Under a Catholic Reformation church councils revived Catholic doctrine and refuted any Protestant ideas (Protestant = a sect w/in Christianity)

End of Christian Unity in the West  Protestant & Catholic reformations had several results during late 16 th & 17 th centuries: Religious Wars: ○ France was the scene of battles between Calvinist & Catholic forces; ○ The Edict of Nantes (1598) ended this struggle Thirty Years War ( ): ○ German Protestants vs. Holy Roman Empire (also supported by Spain) ○ Devastating for Germany (cut population by as much as 60%) ○ Reduced German power and prosperity for almost a full century ○ Ended with the Treaty of Westphalia (1648) English Civil War (1640’s ): ○ Religious issues plus battle of parliament’s rights to control royal actions ○ Full resolution came in (The Glorious Revolution) Parliament won sovereignty over the king

The Commercial Revolution  Economic structure of Europe was redefined in the 16 th century  Increase in trade; new goods available to them  Price inflation began the commercial revolution; inflation was caused by the large amounts of gold and silver being brought back from Latin America  European merchants brought back new goods from various trading areas (India, Africa, Latin America)  Technological improvements made in metal-works and in mining  Merchants, and even peasants, were more prosperous than before.

Commercial Revolution (cont.)  Not all prospered though…those who did NOT have access to property or goods still suffered. Proletariat – the people without access to wealth-producing property Another rise in population growth and rising food prices made it difficult for the poor (in some cases they had to sell their land for food)   Peasant uprisings/protests began at end of 16 th century until about Peasants and townspeople wanted greater protection from poverty  France: Protestant & Catholic peasants rose together against landlords and taxes

Witches!!!  During same time period, outburst against suspected witches arose. Between 60,000 and 100,000 suspected witches were accused and killed! The witchcraft persecutions reflected resentment against the poor; this was often done by communities who were unwilling to accept responsibility for their poverty. ○ Role of Women – women were most often the targets of persecution

The Scientific Revolution!  Scientific Revolution – period of advances associated w/ the development of wider theoretical generalizations; changed thinking from the Middle Ages Improved microscopes & telescopes helped advancements in biology and astronomy  Copernicus – used astronomical observations and mathematic calculations to prove that the Earth was NOT the center of the universe, rather, it revolved around the sun  Johannes Kepler – studied planetary motion; used work from Copernicus  Isaac Newton – published Principia Mathematica; set forth the basic principles of all motion; defined the forces of gravity in mathematical detail; helped explain planetary orbit described by Kepler

Scientific Revolution. (cont.)  Became popular among educated Western Europeans  New scientific institutions set up with government aid to advance research

John Locke  Englishman  Argued that people could learn everything they needed to know through their senses and reasoning; faith was irrelevant in this matter

Absolute Monarchy vs. Parliamentary Monarchy  Absolute Monarchy – concept of government developed during the 17 th century; featured monarchs (kings) who passed laws WITHOUT parliaments; appointed their own professional armies and bureaucracies; established state churches and imposed state economic policies (taxes) Example: France – King Louis XIV… “I am the state.”  Parliamentary Monarchy – originated in England and Holland during 17 th century; kings were partially “checked” by legislative powers in parliaments.  Nation State – areas unified by a common language and culture; promote political values and traditions of their region

The Enlightenment  The “aftermath” of the Scientific Revolution An intellectual movement  18 th century  Centered in France but spread throughout the “Western world”  Applied scientific methods to human society Rational laws could help describe social and physical behavior  Produced a basic set of principles about humans: Human beings are good, but improvable, and can be educated to be better; reason is the key to truth  Random Side Note: The Encyclopedia originated during the Enlightenment!