Early modern period Flashcards
What is the renaissance?
A time of cultural flourishing in medieval Europe
When was the Early Modern Period?
1450-1750
Name 5 things that happened during the renaissance?
- Improved education
- Art flourished
- Science develops
- Discoveries in geography
- Many new inventions
When did Vasco de Gama return from India?
1499
When did Christopher Columbus travel around the Atlantic?
1492
What is an Astrolabe?
A piece of equipment used by sailors to tell how far south or north they’re travelling
Who is Christopher Columbus?
Christopher columbus was an explorer who set sail in 1492 with the goal of finding a new route to India. He discovered America in the process ( still believing it was India ) and sailed around the Caribbean islands for many months. He also captured native Americans and transported gold and animals back to Europe.
Name 2 consequences of world exploration:
- Slavery = Spaniards arrived in Southern and Central America and fought with the indigenous peoples, eventually winning and capturing many of them. They were usually transported back to Europe where they were used as slaves, put on display or killed. Some were also used to work in gold and silver mines in America.
- Flourishing trade = the Portuguese set up trading posts in India, allowing them to dominate the far east. They also built many forts and trading posts across South and Central America where they developed successful gold mines and traded slaves, oil and minerals.
What is humanism?
focusing on human behaviour without expecting rewards or punishment from God
Who is Galileo?
An astronomer, physicist and mathematician who made many discoveries about the world, including that all planets revolved around the sun, rather than the earth ( which was what the Church and most of the public thought to be true ).
Name 2 theories Galileo thought to be true that the church disagreed with:
- the planets all revolve around the sun, not the earth
- The earth rotates on itself
What did the Church do to Galileo to stop him spreading his theories?
Place him under house arrest for 9 years
Give 2 reasons why Galileo could be considered more of a threat to the Church:
- He was directly contradicting the Church’s views and was very vocal about his ideas
- He was able to communicate his views without the use of publication ( though he did write a book ), which meant uneducated people could also learn about his theories
Give 2 reasons why the printing press could be considered more of a threat to the church:
- Books offered a wider variety of knowledge in a range of subjects, rather than Galileo who mostly spread ideas surrounding astronomy
- People trusted printed texts more than an individual, as they were seen as more professional and reliable
What does excommunication mean?
When someone is expelled from the catholic church
When was the printing press created?
1445
Who is Martin Luther?
The person that started the protestant movement in Germany
Give 3 reasons the church was important:
- helped the ill
- spread messages to the community
- fed the hungry and poor
What were three issues Martin Luther had with the church:
- The priests didn’t lead a very holy life ( many slept with various women etc. )
- Ordinary people couldn’t understand the prayers and masses ( they were all said in latin which most didn’t speak )
- Poor people couldn’t afford indulgences ( payment for their sins )
What is the definition of protestant?
A group of christians who protested against the catholic church
What is the definition of reformation?
A religious movement in England where people changed from catholic to protestant
What is a missionary?
Someone sent to spread religious faith
Give 3 things King James said were signs of someone being a witch:
- having a strange mark on your body
- living alone
- talking to yourself
What was the main way to test if someone was a witch?
To “swim” them
They would be tied up so they were unable to swim and thrown into a “blessed” pond. If they floated, they were guilty. If they sunk, they were innocent.
Give 3 reasons the witch craze gained momentum in the Early Modern period:
- there was still a lack of scientific knowledge and people often searched for alternative explanations to a lot of scientific events ( especially among the uneducated lower class )
- There were still strong beliefs about heaven, hell and the devil and many people lived in fear of the devil punishing or possessing them
- There was a lack of knowledge around mental health, as well as high expectations for women, so anyone who didn’t live the traditional lifestyle was thought to be dangerous or scary
Name 3 discoveries/ new methods developed during the Scientific revolution:
- dissection of the human body - previously only animals had been dissected, as human bodies were seen as holy and pure
- The telscope
- the compass
Who first began dissecting human bodies?
Andreas Vesalius
Who invented the telescope?
Galileo
