Renaissance and Middle Ages Flashcards
What is the Black Death?
The Black Death (Bubonic Plague), was a fatal disease that killed millions of people between 1346 and 1350 with regular outbreaks for the next century.
What does the word Renaissance mean?
The word Renaissance means, “re-birth”. This was a time period when ideas from classical civilization were borrowed.
Define: Feudalism
A system in the Middle Ages where a lord owns land and all others serve him.
What is the difference between a freeman and a serf?
A freeman gets pain for his work, a serf does not.
Define: Manorial System
A system in rural areas where a noble owns land and lives in a manor, peasants farm his land for him.
Define: Sumptuary Laws
Laws that control what you can buy and what you can’t buy.
Define: Tithe
A portion of crops or percentage of earnings paid to the church.
Define: Crusades
A series of religious wars lead by the Christians to fight with the Muslims over the rule of Jerusalem; the Holy Land. The word Crusade, means “cross”.
Define: City-States
A politically independent city and its surrounding hinterland.
What is a humanist?
Someone who’s thoughts center around human’s interests, values, and needs.
Define: Imperialism
An extension of power over a territory including its resources and people.
Define: Enlightenment
Being taught something or learning something to better yourself or your understanding of a topic.
What was the Silk Road?
A series of major trade routes to Asia. They were dangerous and the prices were very high.
Explain what the Protestant Reformation was.
When Martin Luther wrote the 95 thesis and started a new church because he disagreed with the Catholic church. Him and his followers became known as Protestants.
What was the hierarchy in the Middle Ages?
Monarchs (King/Queen)
Church (Priests and Bishops)
Knights
Peasants (Freeman/Serfs)
What group made up most of the population?
The peasants
True/False: People in the Feudal system are equal
FALSE! The higher up you were on the “pyramid”, the more important you were, therefore, not everyone was equal.
Who were the few people educated in the Middle Ages?
Monks and Nuns
What determined a person’s social status in the feudal system?
Wealth, money
What was art, music and philosophy of the medieval period based on?
Religion, until the Renaissance, then humanism was the inspiration.
What event was one major change at the end of the Middle Ages that changed society?
The Black Death
How did the Black Death affect the economy? Why could peasants now ask for more money?
a) There were labor shortages and bankruptcy.
b) They were being released from obligations to their lords.
During the Middle Ages, what goods were valued the most?
- Jewels
- Spices
- Fabrics like silk, satin, taffeta and muslin.
Which 2 cities became great trading centers due to the Crusades and trade with the East? Which country are they located in?
Genoa and Venice, they are located in Italy
