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UNIT 1 REVIEW

Apr 29, 2025

AP European History - First Unit Review

The Renaissance

  • Definition: Renaissance means "rebirth," specifically of classical Roman and Greek texts and ideas that had been forgotten during the Middle Ages.
  • Revival: Thanks to Islamic scholars and increased contact during the Crusades, Europeans regained access to ancient ideas.
  • Key Figure: Petrarch, who laid the groundwork for Renaissance ideas, pioneering humanism.

Humanism

  • Focused on the potential of human beings as an end in themselves.
  • Emphasized individualism and the potential of humans.
  • Influential figures like Cicero inspired themes of republicanism and opposition to tyranny.

Philology

  • New approaches to studying texts emerged.
  • Lorenzo Valla used philology to demonstrate the forgery of a Roman Catholic document.

Changes in Education

  • Introduction of the humanities into curriculums.
  • Emphasis on history, moral philosophy, poetry, and classical texts.

Civic Humanism

  • Encouraged educated men to be active in politics.
  • Influential thinkers included Leonardo Bruni and Niccolo Machiavelli.

Renaissance Art

  • Shift from religious themes to naturalism and classical themes.
  • Key Artists:
    • Michelangelo: Naturalism and idealism.
    • Raphael: Classical themes and geometric perspective.
    • Brunelleschi: Architectural innovations like the dome on the Florence Cathedral.

Patronage

  • Wealthy individuals, rulers, and popes patronized the arts to enhance prestige.

The Spread of Renaissance

  • Northern Renaissance: More religiously focused than the Italian Renaissance, leading to Christian Humanism.
  • Key Figure: Desiderius Erasmus, advocating for education in classics and the Bible.

The Printing Press

  • Allowed rapid spread of ideas and literature.
  • Invented by Johannes Gutenberg.
  • Enabled the Protestant Reformation and spread of vernacular literature.

Politics and Power

  • Henry VIII: Established Church of England.
  • Elizabeth I: Mandated Anglican church attendance.
  • Monarchs: Centralized power, established national taxes, and formed bureaucracies.

Exploration and Colonization

  • Motivations: Gold, God, and Glory.
  • New navigational technologies enabled exploration.
  • Established colonial empires led to competition among European powers.

The Columbian Exchange

  • Exchange of goods, flora, fauna, cultural practices, and diseases between Europe and the Americas.
  • Significant impacts on European societies and economies.

The African Slave Trade

  • Replaced indigenous labor in the Americas due to disease and knowledge of the land.
  • Middle Passage: Harsh and inhumane conditions for transported Africans.

The Commercial Revolution

  • Shifted from feudalism to early capitalism.
  • Changes in banking and finance, joint-stock companies, and urbanization.
  • The enclosure movement in England led to increased urbanization and poverty in cities.

This summary encapsulates the major themes and significant events from the first unit of AP European History, focusing on the Renaissance and its widespread impact on European culture, politics, and global exploration.

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