CHAPTER 16:TRANSFORMATION OF

THE WEST

That “other” Renaissance

Italy begins to decline as a Renaissance “center” around 1500

The Northern Renaissance: focused in France, Germany, & England after 1450

Northern Renaissance focused on religion more than Italian Renaissance; but still mainly involved in culture, architecture, and the arts

Power Politics Interest in military conquest grew throughout Europe. Decline in “feudal” alliances Monarchy’s grow stronger; kings push for expansion Alliances made, but “just for looks”

Example: Francis I (king of France) forms alliance with Ottoman Turk leader. But his main goal is to have this alliance act as a distraction towards his real target – the ruler of Austria & Spain.

“Down like the Economy” – Lil Wayne

ECONOMY & TECHNOLOGY: Stronger iron products in the West (Europe) Increased trading contacts w/ Asia Printing introduced in 15th century; Johannes Gutenberg (no

relation) Gutenberg (still no relation) improved the printing technology

previously developed by the Chinese This leads to increase in book distribution – helps Renaissance writers

reach a larger audience; also leads to increase in literacy rates

“We are Family!... Get up everybody and SING!” (but seriously…DON’T!)

New Family Structure: Later marriages – usually not until late-20’s Family was focused on the “nuclear” family and not the extended family

living together○ Nuclear family – yo mama, yo daddy, yo seesters, yo bruthas○ Extended family – all of the above PLUS: yo aunties, yo uncles, yo

grandparents, yo cousins.

These changes to family structure started occurring in the 16th century

Linked family’s with property; most people could NOT marry unless they had property or access to property

Late marriages also limited overcrowding because families had fewer children! (like an old school birth control method! – Nueces County needs this…like now!!!)

GOT IT?! Good!

The Protestant & Catholic Reformations During the 16th century religious upheaval

began to occur in Europe

Religious Upheaval! Ahhhh! >:0

The original Martin Luther (no not King Jr.)

Martin Luther German monkIn 1517, he nailed a document to the door of a castle

church in Germany○ The document had his 95 theses (propositions)

BIG idea – he protested against the pope’s representatives for selling indulgences (grants for salvation) in exchange for money. Luther believed that only faith could grant salvation.○ Luther also argued that priests should be allowed to marry

and that the bible should be translated from Latin so others could read/understand it.

Luther picks up support from followers during the mid-16th century

Other Christian Groups England:

King Henry VIII – set up the Anglican Church to challenge the pope’s attempt to enforce his first marriage (failed to “produce” a son/heir)○ Side-Story: Henry VIII had 6 wives (possibly more); he executed 2 of

them for not “producing” a son/heir…well allegedly executed them

France/Germany/Others Jean Calvin – Frenchman; “Calvinism” claims that God had a pre-

destination or pre-determination of those who would be granted salvation○ Calvinism was accepted in parts of Switzerland, Germany, France,

Netherlands, Hungary, and in England & Scotland

“We will not go quietly into the night” – President Whitmore, ‘Independence Day’ SWEET movie Catholic Church did NOT restore religious unity, but did

defend key areas of Europe for the Catholic faith. Under a Catholic Reformation church councils revived

Catholic doctrine and refuted any Protestant ideas (Protestant = a sect w/in Christianity)

End of Christian Unity in the West Protestant & Catholic reformations had several results

during late 16th & 17th centuries: Religious Wars:

○ France was the scene of battles between Calvinist & Catholic forces;○ The Edict of Nantes (1598) ended this struggle

Thirty Years War (1618-1648):○ German Protestants vs. Holy Roman Empire (also supported by Spain)○ Devastating for Germany (cut population by as much as 60%)○ Reduced German power and prosperity for almost a full century○ Ended with the Treaty of Westphalia (1648)

English Civil War (1640’s - 1660):○ Religious issues plus battle of parliament’s rights to control royal

actions○ Full resolution came in 1688-1689 (The Glorious Revolution)

Parliament won sovereignty over the king

The Commercial Revolution Economic structure of Europe was redefined in the 16th

century Increase in trade; new goods available to them Price inflation began the commercial revolution; inflation

was caused by the large amounts of gold and silver being brought back from Latin America

European merchants brought back new goods from various trading areas (India, Africa, Latin America)

Technological improvements made in metal-works and in mining

Merchants, and even peasants, were more prosperous than before.

Commercial Revolution (cont.) Not all prospered though…those who

did NOT have access to property or goods still suffered. Proletariat – the people without access to

wealth-producing property Another rise in population growth and rising

food prices made it difficult for the poor (in some cases they had to sell their land for food)

Peasant uprisings/protests began at end of 16th century until about 1650. Peasants and townspeople wanted greater

protection from poverty France:

Protestant & Catholic peasants rose together against landlords and taxes

Witches!!! During same time period, outburst against suspected

witches arose. Between 60,000 and 100,000 suspected witches were accused

and killed! The witchcraft persecutions reflected resentment against the

poor; this was often done by communities who were unwilling to accept responsibility for their poverty.○ Role of Women – women were most often the targets of persecution

The Scientific Revolution! Scientific Revolution – period of advances associated w/ the

development of wider theoretical generalizations; changed thinking from the Middle Ages Improved microscopes & telescopes helped advancements in biology

and astronomy Copernicus – used astronomical observations and mathematic

calculations to prove that the Earth was NOT the center of the universe, rather, it revolved around the sun

Johannes Kepler – studied planetary motion; used work from Copernicus

Isaac Newton – published Principia Mathematica; set forth the basic principles of all motion; defined the forces of gravity in mathematical detail; helped explain planetary orbit described by Kepler

Scientific Revolution. (cont.) Became popular among educated Western Europeans New scientific institutions set up with government aid to

advance research

John Locke

Englishman Argued that people could learn everything

they needed to know through their senses and reasoning; faith was irrelevant in this matter

Absolute Monarchy vs. Parliamentary Monarchy

Absolute Monarchy – concept of government developed during the 17th century; featured monarchs (kings) who passed laws WITHOUT parliaments; appointed their own professional armies and bureaucracies; established state churches and imposed state economic policies (taxes) Example: France – King Louis XIV… “I am the state.”

Parliamentary Monarchy – originated in England and Holland during 17th century; kings were partially “checked” by legislative powers in parliaments.

Nation State – areas unified by a common language and culture; promote political values and traditions of their region

The Enlightenment The “aftermath” of the Scientific

Revolution An intellectual movement

18th century Centered in France but spread

throughout the “Western world” Applied scientific methods to human

society Rational laws could help describe

social and physical behavior Produced a basic set of principles about

humans: Human beings are good, but

improvable, and can be educated to be better; reason is the key to truth

------------------------------------------------------- Random Side Note: The Encyclopedia

originated during the Enlightenment!