10 Identifications Flashcards
Humanism (pg. 282, 285, 289)
Definition: the study of Latin and Greek classics and of the Church Fathers both for their own sake and to promote a rebirth of ancient norms and values
Facts: people still debate on the true definition of humanism, some thought it was entirely Christian, others (like Burchardt) thought it was entirely logical and un religious, while others thought it was completely neutral.
Mercantilism (glossary)
Definition: term used to describe close government control of the economy that sought to maximize exports and accumulate as much precious metals as possible to enable the state to defend its economic and political interests
League of Venice (pg. 295)
Definition: a new coutnerallienace against the French; brought together Venice, the Papal States, and Emperor Maximilian I with Ferdinand of Aragon
Facts: Was created by Ferdinand of Aragon after being attacked by Charles VIII at his base in Sicily. It left him vulnerable to the French-Italian axis. He had hoped to expand his base from Sicily into Italy but was stopped. This caused him to create the League of Venice. Ludovico il Moro (of Milan) had originally supported the French invasion because it hurt his enemies but it started to backfire on him, so he joined the League of Venice which gave it enough power to end Charles VIII’s attack.
Jacob Burkhardt (pg. 282, 285)
Definition: 19th century Swiss historian; described Renaissance as “prototype for the modern world.”
Facts: he stated that the discovery of the ancient knowledge in 14th to 15th century Italy brought up new secular and scientific values. A gradual release of “the full, whole nature of man.” His viewpoint on Humanism was completely “unchristian” and focused on “dignity of humankind, secular values, and individualism.” (Though his thoughts were largely debated)
Erasmus (pg. 291, 302)
Definition: the most famous northern humanist Desiderius Erasmus, shows the impact of the printing press
Facts: he believed that free will was “a power of the human will by which a man may apply himself to those things that lead to eternal salvation, or turn away from the same”; he wa similar to the Italian humanist, Pico della Mirándola (who says, humans are “free to become whatever they choose.”)
Using his printed works, he became famous as an educator and a religious reformer. He earned his living by tutoring youths about languages, good manners, and how to live well. He believed the people of the church wanted the reforms now, not when the reformation got around to it. He also states that the church was not giving humans enough credit as to what we could achieve. (Our capability) He believed we should only learn from the pure source of the Bible so he updated the New Testament into Latin and Greek. But the church authorities completely disagreed with his decision it he still remained famous (andan important part of what Martin Luther achieved)
Martin Luther (pg. 291, 302)
Definition: a Monk who wrote 95 theses critiquing the Catholic Church and also wrote a lot about humanism and free will
Facts: he slightly disagreed with what Erasmus stated, making a small shift, saying that in regards to us UNDER God, we can teach free will but in regards to God, salvation, and damnation, we have no free will since we are either a “victim” to God’s will or Satan’s. He took Erasmus’ Greek and Latin translations of the New Testament and used them to translate it into German. “Erasmus laid the egg that Luther hatched”
Predestination (glossary)
Definition: the doctrine that God had foreordained all souls to salvation or damnation. It was especially associated with Calvinism.
Moctezuma II (pg. 306)
Definition: the Aztec emperor
Facts: He thought that Cortes was the god that was promised to return to his people. He tried to appease him with gold and then welcomed him and his group into their tribe. Unfortunately, Cortes seized Moctezuma and he died randomly (“unexplained circumstances”)
Savonarola (pg. 295)
Definition: radical Dominican preacher Girolamo Savonarola
Facts: convinced the Florentines that the French invasion of Charles VIII was “long-delayed and fully justified divine vengeance on their immorality.” This allowed the city to escape the destruction of the French and gave Savonarola rule of Florentine for 4 years. But his choices backfired on him and, when the allies defeated the French that he had praised, he was imprisoned and executed.
Gutenberg (pg. 301)
Definition: a German inventor who created printing with moveable type
Facts: books immediately began to start printing and within 50 years of the invention, cities all over Germany and Europe operated printing presses. It also affected literacy and gave “regular” people the opportunity to read anything (classics could be translated into many languages), especially the Bible which also gave them authority (which is what the Church was trying to hide). “Print was a powerful tool for political and religious propaganda. Kings could now indoctrinate people as never before, and clergymen found themselves able to mass-produce both indulgences and pamphlets.”
