Chapter 16: Transformations in Europe: Summarizing Big Ideas
Directions: Chapter 16 describes and explains a number of important developments
that took place in Europe between 1500 and 1750. In class, we will address this
information through group presentations. Each group will be assigned a topic from
Ch.16. You will “teach” the class about your topic.
Each presentation must include:
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Clear description of event(s) and developments assigned to your group
Geography of the events (with explanations)
Clear definition and explanation of key terms, concepts, individuals, and ideas
included in the topic assigned to your group (list of key terms – see next page)
Primary source analysis (at least one per presentation)
Consequences of the developments described in your group. (To address this part
of the presentation you must include events from other sections of the chapter or
different chapters)
TOPICS FOR GROUPS:
1. RENAISSANCE AND HUMANISM (based on Ch.14)
2. RELIGIOUS REFORMATION (includes the Protestant Reformation
and the Catholic Reformation)
3. THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION
4. THE EARLY ENLIGHTENMENT
5. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LIFE (includes description of status, rights,
and privileges of various classes in European society, including women /
includes any information and developments in European economy and
their effects on upper, middle, and lower classes)
6. POLITICAL INNOVATIONS (includes major developments in political
sphere in Western Europe – you may want to create a table or a graphic
organizer(s) separating key events by country)
All groups will present. Every member of the group must participate in the
presentations.
Group 1: RENAISSANCE AND HUMANISM
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The Renaissance (causes, etc.)
Humanism
Scholasticism
Thomas Aquinas
Theology and Universities
Vernacular Language
Printing Press
Humanist writers
Erasmus of Rotterdam
Medieval art vs. Renaissance art
Leonardo da Vinci
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Great Western Schism (Ch.14)
Corruptions of the Church
Indulgences (+ sale of)
Martin Luther
95 Thesis
The Protestant Reformation
Luther’s supporters (why)
John Calvin
Predestination
Catholic Counterreformation
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Mona Lisa and the Last Supper
Michelangelo
David and the ceiling of the Sistine
Chapel
Rafael
The School of Athens
Northern Renaissance
Durer and van Eyck
Patrons
De Medici and the Church
Society during the Renaissance
Group 2: RELIGIOUS REFORMATION
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Major differences in beliefs, practices,
churches – Catholics and Protestants
The Council of Trent
Jesuits and Ignatius of Loyola
The Roman (Catholic) Inquisition
30 Years’ War
Peace of Augsburg
Edict of Nantes
Witch-hunts
Henry VIII
Anglican Church
Group 3: THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION
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The Scientific Revolution
Nicholas Copernicus
Heliocentric v. Geocentric Model
Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler
Galileo Galilei and his discoveries
William Harvey
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The Enlightenment
Philosophes (major works and ideas)
Voltaire
Jean – Jacques Rousseau
Thomas Hobbes
John Locke
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Sir Isaac Newton and his discoveries
Reaction of the Catholic and
Protestant leaders to new sciences
Scientific Method
The Scientific Revolution and
Christian beliefs
Group 4: THE ENLIGHTENMENT
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Baron de Montesquieu
Mary Wollstonecraft
Liberalism and individual rights
Religious tolerance, natural rights, etc.
Enlightened monarchs (despots) –
Peter the Great, Frederick II, etc.
Group 5: SOCIAL and ECONOMIC LIFE IN EUROPE
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Mobility within the European society
The Bourgeoisie
Sources of wealth for the bourgeoisie
Joint – stock companies
Stock exchanges
Mercantilism
Alliance of government and business
Gentry
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Serfdom in Western and Eastern
Europe
The Little Ice Age and its effects
Deforestation
Women’s status and expectations
(differentiate by social classes)
Education and children (gender)
Group 6: POLITICAL INNOVATIONS
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Political unification in Europe
(Habsburgs vs. other monarchies)
The English Civil War
Charles I
Oliver Cromwell
James II
Glorious Revolution
William and Mary
The Bill of Rights
The Spanish Armada
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Louis XIV
Versailles
Divine Rights of Kings
Absolutism
Balance of Power
Major European powers (and their
religious majorities)
Major European powers and their
sources of power and wealth
*You should use your current textbook, regular World History textbook, or any Internet
search engines or sites while preparing for your presentation. Here are some web sites
that may be helpful: (there is plenty of information on-line about all or any of the
topics above)
http://www.besthistorysites.net/ - variety of topics covered
http://www.sparknotes.com/history/ - variety of topics covered (condensed version)
http://www.historyguide.org/index.html - a site specifically designed for students of
history (high school and college level)
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/modsbook.asp - whole bunch of primary sources!!!
(search by your group’s topic)
http://lepg.org/religion.htm - brief overview of religious reformation during the 16th
century
http://lepg.org/wars.htm - brief overview/summary of wars of religion in France during
the 16th century
http://early-moderneurope.blogspot.com/2009/01/catholic-reformation.html - a blog
posting on Counter-Reformation and Jesuits
http://www2.sunysuffolk.edu/westn/science.html - outline of major developments during
the Scientific Revolution in the 17th century.
https://faculty.nipissingu.ca/muhlberger/2155/EDESPOTS.HTM - brief summary/outline
on the Enlightened Despots
http://uregina.ca/~gingrich/en318f02.htm - college level notes on the Enlightenment and
Liberalism
http://www2.sunysuffolk.edu/mandias/lia/little_ice_age.html - good information on the
Little Ice Age
http://faculty.history.wisc.edu/sommerville/351/351outline.htm - college course web
page with links to outlines on variety of topics related to 17th century Europe
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/civil_war_revolution/ - information on The English
Civil War and the Glorious Revolution
http://faculty.history.wisc.edu/sommerville/351/351-02.htm - introduction to the 17th
century European powers through maps
http://socsci.gulfcoast.edu/rbaldwin/ABSOLUTISM2.htm - Age of Absolutism lecture
outline
http://www.coursenotes.org/European_History/Outlines/Civilization_in_the_West_5th_Edition_Textbook/
Chapter_18_Notes_The_Balance - Course notes on the 18th century Balance of Power in
Europe.
Chapter 16: Presentation Grading Rubric
Category:
Possible
Points:
Points
Earned:
1. Content
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Accurate and informative
All key terms are explained
Definitions are clear
Maps, etc. are relevant and used
appropriately
Primary source(s) included /
explained
Consequences described and
explained
30
2. Organization
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Key terms and concepts are
connected to each other during the
presentation (“it flows”)
Each member of the group spoke
and was an expert on the content
20
3. Presentation
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Students elaborate on the info. in
the slides, not reading from them
Proper behavior, eye contact, voice,
etc. is maintained throughout the
presentation
Questions are answered with
confidence and expertise
Maps, transparencies, handouts, etc.
are prepared ahead of time and used
in a timely manner during the
presentation
25
4. Group Work
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Students are on task during
preparation process
Presentation is prepared collectively
with everyone’s input
15
5. Overall Impression / Extended Core
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Engaging
Shows the students’ expertise in the
topic
Shows complex understanding of
major concepts/developments
“Systemic” view of history
Total:
10
100
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Presentation Date: JANUARY 16th
Groups:
PERIOD 2:
Group 1: (The Renaissance): Bruno, Nell, Ethan, Matthew
Group 2: (Religious Reformation): Sachi, Luke, Mia, Wisam
Group 3: (The Scientific Revolution): Grace, Diana, Jonathan
Group 4: (The Enlightenment): Anya, Meghan, Joey, Ben
Group 5: (Social and Economic Life): James, Zoe, Matea, Victor
Group 6: (Political Innovations): Belle, Holden, Azalea, Katie
PERIOD 6:
Group 1: (The Renaissance): Vessy, Maria, Esmeralda, Eva
Group 2: (Religious Reformation): Rory, Jack, Grace H., Anna, John
Group 3: (The Scientific Revolution): Raymond, Catarina, Tommy, Sirena
Group 4: (The Enlightenment): Saleha, Grace C., Carmela, Usman
Group 5: (Social and Economic Life): Skylar, Henry, Bilal, Tony
Group 6: (Political Innovations): Jacob, Billy, Pierre, Elma
*Important Note:
When other groups are presenting, you are strongly
encouraged to take notes. You may use those notes on the
upcoming quiz (Ch.16). Students will not be allowed to work
on their presentations while others are presenting.
Extra Credit Opportunity
(Worth 2 extra points on Quiz: Chapter 16)
Directions: Identify general trends / global patterns reflected in each
presentation (major ideas of each presentation). Express your
understanding of these trends/patters in complete sentences using the
“systemic” or “big picture” approach.
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Example: (from Chapter 14): Despite being less advanced than the
Chinese or the Ottomans, voyages of Western Europeans around Africa
as well as their accidental discovery of the Americas during the 15 th and
16th centuries, expanded European political and economic power. This
expansion also linked almost all of the world continents into one global
network and contributed to the increase in cross-cultural contacts that
ranged from peaceful cooperation and economic partnership to violent
conquests and forced servitude.
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If you can come up with at least three such statements based on class
presentations, you will earn 2 extra points on the next quiz.