AP TEST REVIEW
Unit One
Renaissance and New Monarchs
Ca. 1300-1527
“New” Monarchs: ca.1460-1520
A. Consolidated , or centralized, power and created the foundation for
Europe’s first modern nation-states in France, England and Spain.
 1. This evolution had begun in the Late Middle Ages with the decline
of feudalism (thanks to the Black Death).
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Meanwhile, monarchies had grown weaker in eastern Europe during the Middle
Ages.
 2. However, New Monarchies never achieved absolute power;
absolutism did not emerge effectively until the 17th century (e.g. Louis
XIV in France).
 3. New Monarchies also were not nation-states (in the modern sense)
since populations did not necessarily feel that they belonged to a
“nation”
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a. Identity tended to be much more local or regional.
b. The modern notion of nationalism did not emerge until the late 18th and early
19th centuries.
Characteristics
Reduced the power of the nobility through
taxation, confiscation of lands, and the hiring
of mercenary armies or the creation of standing
armies
Reduced the political power of the clergy
Created more efficient bureaucracies
Increased the political influence of the
bourgeoisie
Increased the national debt by taking out loans
from merchant-bankers
100 Years’ War (1337 - 1453)
Caused by conflicts between England and
France over Flanders and over French
succession.
Began when English King Edward III
claimed the French throne and the French
nobility refused to recognize his claim.
Results of the 100 Years War
French sovereignty
Strong French bureaucracy under Louis XI
with high taxes, a strong army, and crown
support of the merchant class.
A rise in the power of the English
parliament and English disillusionment with
their monarchy
The war of the Roses
France – Rise of the Valois
Louis XI “Spider King” (1461-83)
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Defeated Charles the Bold and annexed Burgundy
Created a large royal army
Dealt ruthlessly with nobles
Increased taxes
Actively encouraged economic growth
Francis I (1515-1547)
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Concordat of Bologna
Taille – direct head tax on all land and property
Estates-General became politically irrelevant
England – Rise of the Tudor
The War of the Roses (1455-1485)
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Yorks (White) vs. Lancasters (Red)
Won by Henry VII
Created the Tudor monarchy which lasted until the
death of Elizabeth in 1603.
Henry VII (1489-1509)
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Curtailment of the power of the nobility--the
establishment of the court of the star chamber.
Parliament continued to wield a great deal of
power, especially over the PURSE!
The Modern Spanish Nation
1469: Marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon
and Isabella of Castille/Leon unites the
regions into “Spain.”
1478: Inquisition began
1492: Columbus sent to the new world-beginning of Spanish conquests.
1492: RECONQUISTA - The Moors were
driven out of Spain (last stronghold was in
Grenada).
Achievements of Ferdinand and
Isabella
Limited the power of the Cortes (leg.
Assembly) and weakened the power of the
nobility by supporting the merchants
(hermandades).
Funded exploration, bringing great wealth
from the New World
Monarchs appointed church officials and
controlled religious policy.
Tried to establish religious unity in hopes of
also fostering political unity.
Spanish Inquisition
Designed to suppress the corruption of the
Spanish clergy and root out “heretics.”
Heretics were any non-Catholics, especially
Moslems and Jews (aka conversos).
Led by Cisneros and Torquemada
Used any means necessary to subdue
dissent
Spread the inquisition to conquered
territories, such as the Spanish Netherlands
Effects of the Inquisition
Expelled tens of thousands of Muslim and
Jewish scholars and skilled traders and
manufacturers.
Many of those expelled during the
inquisition fled to Italy and were catalysts
for developments in the Italian renaissance.
Their loss severely hurt Spanish
development due to the decline of the
Spanish middle-class.
The Decentralized States
Holy Roman Empire
Italy
Both would not realize centralization or
unification until the late 19th century!!!!
Holy Roman Empire
Consisted of about 300 semi-autonomous
German states
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Center of Habsburg power was in Austria, and
the Habsburg heir was routinely elected HRE
since the late 1400s
Decentralization
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No levying of taxes
No raising of standing armies
No ability to curtail local nobility
Height of Habsburg Power
Maximilian I (1493-1519)
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Sparked the dynastic Habsburg-Valois War
through his marriage to Mary of Burgundy
Charles V (1519-1556)
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Most Powerful ruler in 16th century Europe
Archrival was Francis I during the H-V wars
• Sacked Rome in 1527
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Controlled Spanish Empire and Austrian
Habsburg Lands
Italy: The City-State System
Northern Cities developed due to international
trade
Ruled by signori (despots) or oligarchies (merchant
aristocracies)
Constant warring between states--done by
mercenaries called condottieri
States were: Milan (Sforza), Venice, Florence
(Medici) (cultural center), Papal States (popes), &
Naples
Machievelli: wrote for Lorenzo de Medici (The
Prince and Circle of Governments)
The Decline of the Italian CityStates
Peace of Lodi (1454) established a balance of
power
Due to fear of Ottomans after conquest of
Constantinople
Foreign invasions begin in 1494 with French
Girolama Savonarola turns Florence into a mini
theocracy after Medici are ousted
Habsburg-Valois Wars are fought regarding
dynastic thrones in Italy
1527 – Sack of Rome symbolically ends the
Renaissance
The Renaissance – What is it?
According to Burckhardt, the Renaissance
is a distinct break from the Middle Ages, in
which the culture of antiquity is revived in
the form of humanism
Oftentimes, the Renaissance is considered
the very beginning of Modern European
History
Economics drives the
Renaissance!
During the middle ages, manorialism
developed due to the fact that money
virtually disappeared from use in Europe
and trade nearly came to a complete halt.
Renaissance economic developments were
dominated by the rise of capitalism and the
disintegration of manorialism (feudal
bargaining).
Renaissance Capitalism
As renaissance society became more
settled, they began to produce surpluses and
began to trade with other regions.
This growth of trade led to the development
of towns and the rise of a merchant class.
Towns eventually became interdependent
and needed trade to survive.
Money again was used and barter
eventually came to a halt.
Reasons for the Growth of
Capitalism
Crusades: increased trade
Exploration: As developing states got $,
they outfitted parties to explore and find
routes to get to the riches in the east. This
led to new riches, new trade routes, and new
diseases, such as the plague.
Gold: precious metals expanded the
European economy, fueled inflation, and
put more currency in European economies.
Another Reason: The Growth of
Towns/Merchant Class
Led to the eventual decline of the power of
the nobility and the shift away from land
being the only source of wealth and power.
Led to the growth of trade
Led monarchs to develop stronger armies
and navies to protect trade and commercial
interests.
More Reasons: Population
Growth/Cottage Industries
Population growth created a pool of
laborers and possible consumers. This
growth was partially checked by the plague
during some decades.
Cottage Industries began to develop as the
agricultural revolution allowed some
families to leave the farm and concentrate
on skills such as weaving, furniture making,
etc.
Another Reason: New
Techniques and Inventions
Inventions such as the printing press,
banking systems, bills of exchange, and
double entry bookkeeping made
transactions easier and capital more
available. This encouraged the growth of
trade and commerce.
New inventions also encouraged the growth
of cottage industries, but the majority of
Europeans were still farmers until the late
18th century.
Areas of Trade
Began in the Italian city states because they
brought goods from the East through the
Mediterranean and sent them overland to
the rest of Europe.
Flanders: center of cloth and woolen trade
Hanseatic League dominated Baltic trade
England, Netherlands, & France dominated
Atlantic trade by the 1500’s.
Results of Economic Expansion
Decline of feudalism: money economy,
cash payment of rents, consolidation of
smaller farms
New Business Organizations: partnerships,
chartered companies, and joint stock
companies
Revival of Slavery: (there was limited
opposition to this by some church leaders)
Growth of secularism and individualism
THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE
The Italian renaissance differed somewhat
from the renaissance in Northern Europe.
While the Italian renaissance focused on
art, humanism, and education, the N.
European renaissance focused on the
reformation of the church and the birth of
Protestantism.
Why Italy?
Italy = center of early European
commercial life. So, Italians were
constantly introduced to new ideas from
other civilizations, (esp. from the Moslems
and the Byzantines).
Secularism fostered by: Italy’s favorable
econ. situation, & political cynicism
fostered by the reality of the feuding city
states, and writers such as Machiavelli.
Why Italy?
Families made wealthy by trade and
political power wanted to become the
patrons of the arts. Many such as the
Medici’s sponsored a lot of art, because
they wanted to prove they were more
powerful than the other wealthy families.
Contact with past Roman glory was more
immediate, due to Italy’s location.
Characteristics of Humanism
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Revival of antiquity in philosophy, literature, and
art
Strong belief in individualism and the great
potential of human beings
Focused on studying of ancient languages
• Use of vernacular to translate Latin and Greek
• Printing press used to spread knowledge of the ancients
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Largely rejected Aristotle and Scholasticism in
favor of Cicero, Livy, Virgil, and Plato
Advocated liberal arts education for a well-rounded
individual
• Grammar, rhetoric, poetry, history, politics, moral
philosophy
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Secular spirit
• Life should be enjoyed rather than lamented!
Civic Humanism
Education should prepare leaders who
would be active in civic affairs
Participation in public affairs was essential
for human development
Men should not become hermits, but
instead must work within the government to
help better society
Major Humanist Figures
Petrarch: known as the father of humanism
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Characterized the Middle Ages as the “Dark
Ages”
Wrote poetry in the vernacular like Dante
Machiavelli: The Prince
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Observed the foreign invasions of Italy and the
attempt of Cesare Borgia to unite Italy
“the ends justify the means;” beginning of
“realpolitik.”
“It is better to be feared than loved.”
A ruler must behave both like a lion and like a
fox.
More Important People
Boccaccio: Decameron
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Over 100 stories that provide a social commentary
on 14th century Italy
Aimed to impart wisdom of human character
Lorenzo Valla: “critical analysis” of classical
documents--esp. church docs.
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Donation of Constantine proven false
Pico Della Mirandola: Oration on the Dignity
of Man
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Because they are created by God, humans have
unlimited human potential that should be realized
More Important Dudes
Marsilio Ficino
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Founded the Platonic Academy – translated
Plato’s works into Latin
Castiglione: Book of the Courtier
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Most important work on Renaissance Education
Specified the qualities of a true gentleman.
• Emphasized civic duty, versatility, and moral
conduct.
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Ideal “Renaissance Man” – Virtu
• Both intellectually and physically accomplished
Italian Renaissance Art
Quattrocento – Florence
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Massive patronage came from wealthy
merchant families who commissioned countless
works from the great artists
Patronage also came from local churches who
increasingly saw art as a means of glorifying
God
Cinquecento – Rome
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Renaissance Popes spends lots on Renaissance
art!!!
“Artist as Genius”
Italian Renaissance Art
Techniques and Characteristics
3-D Realism
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Perspective
Chiaroscuro
Individualism – glorification of individual
Classicism – especially in sculpture
Use of geometry and math for harmony
Secular – For example, Portraiture
Famous Renaissance Artists &
Sculptors
Quattrocento – Early Renaissance
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Giotto – St. Francis
Brunelleschi – Il Duomo
Lorenzo Ghiberti – Florentine Baptistery Doors
Donatello – Bronze David
Masaccio – Expulsion and Tribute Money
Botticelli – Birth of Venus and Primavera
Famous Renaissance Artists &
Sculptors
Cinquecento – High Renaissance
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Bramante - Tempietto
Da Vinci – The Renaissance Man
• Mona Lisa and Last Supper
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Raphael – School of Athens
Michelangelo – Architect, sculptor, and painter
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Sistine Chapel Ceiling
Marble David
Pieta
Dome of St. Peter’s Cathedral
Venetian School
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Titian – Man in a Red Cap
THE N. EUROPEAN
RENAISSANCE
As trade grew and the medieval social,
economic, and political institutions began to
break down, the Renaissance spread
northward.
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The Northern Renaissance develops along with
the Reformations.
Northern “Christian” Humanism
Similar to Italian humanism in that both
rejected medieval scholarship and valued
classical civilizations.
Different from Italian humanism because it
placed more emphasis on purifying the
Christian religion and encouraging a return to
simple Christian piety.
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Emphasized the early Christian writers for answers
on how to improve society and the church
Actions of N. Humanists
Attacked the abuses of the Catholic church.
De-emphasized the observance of ritual as
the core of religious life.
Worked to produce new translations of the
Bible from the original Hebrew and Greek
texts and revived the study of these
languages.
Emphasized education and power of the
human intellect to bring about change and
moral improvement
Erasmus (1466-1536)
Dominated the intellectual thought of the
N. renaissance
Published revised Greek and Latin editions
of the New Testament.
His book, In Praise of Folly, satirized
ignorance, superstition, immorality and
hypocrisy of Church leaders
Criticized corruption of the church and
called for men to lead simple Christian lives
The Northern Renaissance In
England
Sir Thomas More (1478-1535) wrote
Utopia: described an ideal society based on
socialism. Held that through human efforts,
man could construct a perfect world.
Other English names include:
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Francis Bacon: Novum Organum: Inductive
method
Spenser: Faerie Queen
Marlowe: Dr. Faustus
Shakespeare: numerous works
The French Renaissance
Montaigne: Essays: directions for how a
“good” man should live. (Civic duty and
simple piety)
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Codified a growing sense of skepticism in the
Renaissance world
Rabelais:
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created the modern French language with the
help of John Calvin.
Satirized both government and church practices
Characteristics of N.
Renaissance Art
More emphasis on detail
Use of oil paints rather than tempera
More emotional than Italian style
Works often preoccupied with a different
subject matter than Italian Renaissance
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Everyday life due to lack of classical
motivation
Major Artists of the N.
Renaissance
Flemish Style
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Jan Van Eyck – Arnolfini and His Wife
Bosch – Work often depicts death
Peter Brueghel the Elder – Peasant Life
Germany
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Albrecht Durer – Most famous of all!
• Knight, Death, and the Devil
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Hans Holbein the Younger – The Ambassadors
Fugger Family – Major patron of Northern art
The Printing Press
The most important invention of the 15th
century was the printing press, generally
credited to Johann Gutenberg (c. 1450).
Printing by moveable type was cheap and
greatly increased the circulation of books.
Printing also increased the need for
education, fostered the use of propaganda,
and allowed scholars from remote areas to
share ideas and scientific findings.