AP European History Unit 1 Review

Overview of the Renaissance

• Meaning: Renaissance means "rebirth"
• Origin: Revival of classical Greek and Roman texts and ideas.
• Middle Ages: During this period, much classical knowledge was forgotten.
  • Islamic scholars preserved and translated classical texts.
  • Increased European contact with Islamic cultures during the Crusades reintroduced these texts.

Key Figures and Concepts

• Petrarch: Preceded the Renaissance, laid groundwork for Renaissance ideas.
  • Humanism: Focus on the potential of human beings, emphasized individualism.
  • Cicero: Influenced by Cicero's support of the Roman Republic and opposition to tyranny.
• Philology: Study of the history of languages.
  • Lorenzo Valla: Demonstrated a church document was a forgery using philological methods.
• Printing Press
  • Invented in the 1440s, spread ideas quickly.

Educational Transformation

• Introduction of the humanities into education.
• Baldessar Castiglione: Authored "The Courtier," outlining characteristics of a gentleman.

Civic and Political Changes

• Civic Humanism: Educated men should engage in politics.
• Leonardo Bruni: Advocated for the republicanism of ancient Rome.
• Niccolo Machiavelli: Wrote "The Prince," maintaining power is the ruler’s primary goal.

Renaissance Art

• Naturalism: More realistic portrayal of subjects.
• Key Artists:
  • Michelangelo: Sculpted "David."
  • Raphael: Painted "The School of Athens."
  • Brunelleschi: Architect of Florence Cathedral.
• Art patronage by wealthy families like the Medicis.

Spread of the Renaissance

• Spread to Northern Europe, leading to the Northern Renaissance.
• Christian Humanism: Combined humanist and Christian ideas.
  • Erasmus: Key figure, wrote "In Praise of Folly."

The Printing Press

• Revolutionized the distribution of ideas and literature.
• Enabled the spread of the Protestant Reformation.
• Promoted vernacular literature, aiding national cultural identity.

Political Developments

• Henry VIII: Broke with Catholic Church, formed Church of England.
• Elizabeth I: Reestablished Anglicanism, implemented religious uniformity.
• Ferdinand and Isabella: Unified Spain, promoted Catholicism.
• France: Concordat of Bologna increased king’s power over the church.

European Exploration

• Motivated by Gold, God, and Glory.
• Mercantilism: Economic system focused on accumulating wealth.
• Technological advances enabled exploration (compass, astrolabe, caravel).
• Colonization led to competition and rivalry among European nations.

The Columbian Exchange

• Exchange of goods, diseases, and people between the Old and New Worlds.
• Introduced new foods, animals, and minerals across continents.
• Led to the subjugation of indigenous peoples.

The Commercial Revolution

• Transition from feudalism to early capitalism.
• Shift in economic power to Atlantic states.
• Enclosure movement led to urbanization.

These notes cover the key components and transformations during the Renaissance and early modern period in Europe, focusing on cultural, political, and economic changes that defined this era.