APEURO: Unit 1, Renaissance and Exploration - Contextualizing the Renaissance and Discovery

Why This Matters

The Renaissance and Discovery are pivotal events in world history that transformed the way people thought, interacted, and understood their place in the world. This period, spanning from the 14th to the 17th century, marked a significant shift from the medieval to the modern era, influencing the development of Western civilization, global politics, and the concept of identity. Understanding the Renaissance and Discovery is essential for grasping the AP theme of Globalization and Contact, as it highlights the complex interactions between European powers, indigenous cultures, and the environment, shaping the modern world order.

Key Events & People

• The Black Death (1346-1353): A pandemic that devastated Europe, leading to significant social, economic, and cultural changes.
• Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519): A polymath and artist who embodied the Renaissance humanist ideals, creating iconic works like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper.
• Christopher Columbus (1451-1506): An Italian explorer who led the first European expedition to the Americas in 1492, sponsored by the Catholic Monarchs of Spain.
• The Medici Family (15th-16th century): A powerful banking dynasty that sponsored artists, architects, and thinkers, shaping the cultural and economic landscape of Florence.
• The Treaty of Tordesillas (1494): A treaty dividing the New World between Spain and Portugal, establishing the principle of papal authority over the Americas.
• The Age of Exploration (15th-17th century): A period of European exploration and colonization, marked by the discovery of new trade routes, resources, and cultures.
• The Inquisition (1478-1834): A Catholic Church tribunal established to root out heresy and enforce orthodoxy, leading to the persecution of Jews, Muslims, and other minority groups.
• Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543): A Polish astronomer who proposed the heliocentric model of the universe, challenging geocentrism and the authority of the Church.
• The Protestant Reformation (1517-1648): A movement led by Martin Luther and John Calvin, challenging Catholic dogma and leading to the emergence of Protestant denominations.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The Black Death led to a significant decline in the European population, creating labor shortages and economic opportunities.
• Effect: The resulting social and economic changes contributed to the rise of a new middle class, which fueled the growth of cities and trade.

• Long-term consequence: The emergence of a wealthy and educated middle class laid the groundwork for the Renaissance and the Enlightenment.

• Cause: The Treaty of Tordesillas established the principle of papal authority over the Americas, leading to the colonization of the New World.

• Effect: The colonization of the Americas led to the displacement and marginalization of indigenous cultures, as well as the transfer of European diseases and technologies.

• Long-term consequence: The colonization of the Americas had a profound impact on the global balance of power, shaping the modern world order and the concept of identity.

• Cause: The Age of Exploration was driven by the desire for new trade routes, resources, and markets, as well as the need to spread Christianity.

• Effect: The Age of Exploration led to the discovery of new lands, cultures, and resources, as well as the transfer of ideas, technologies, and diseases.
• Long-term consequence: The Age of Exploration laid the groundwork for the modern global economy, shaping the relationships between Europe, the Americas, and other regions.

Essential Vocabulary

• Humanism: A philosophical and cultural movement emphasizing the potential of human beings to achieve great things through education, reason, and individualism. (Example: Leonardo da Vinci's art and inventions embody humanist ideals.)
• Mercantilism: An economic theory advocating for the accumulation of wealth and resources through trade, colonization, and the exploitation of natural resources. (Example: The Spanish and Portuguese empires practiced mercantilism in the Americas.)
• Papal Authority: The power and influence of the Catholic Church, particularly in matters of doctrine, morality, and governance. (Example: The Treaty of Tordesillas established papal authority over the Americas.)
• Heliocentrism: A model of the universe proposing that the Sun is at the center, rather than the Earth. (Example: Nicolaus Copernicus proposed the heliocentric model.)
• Enlightenment: A philosophical and cultural movement emphasizing reason, individualism, and the scientific method. (Example: The Enlightenment thinkers, such as Voltaire and Rousseau, built upon the ideas of the Renaissance and the Age of Exploration.)
• Colonization: The process of establishing settlements and exploiting resources in a new region, often involving the displacement and marginalization of indigenous cultures. (Example: The Spanish and Portuguese empires colonized the Americas.)
• Globalization: The process of increasing interconnectedness and interdependence between different regions and cultures. (Example: The Age of Exploration and the subsequent trade networks laid the groundwork for modern globalization.)
• Imperialism: The practice of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, exploitation, and the imposition of one's culture and values. (Example: European powers practiced imperialism in the Americas and other regions.)

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Black Death occurred in the 13th century, not the 14th century.
• Correction: The Black Death occurred from 1346 to 1353, marking a significant turning point in European history.
• What students often get wrong: Christopher Columbus was the first European to reach the Americas.
• Correction: While Columbus led the first European expedition to the Americas, the Vikings had established a settlement in North America around 1000 AD.
• What students often get wrong: The Treaty of Tordesillas established the principle of papal authority over the entire world.
• Correction: The Treaty of Tordesillas divided the New World between Spain and Portugal, establishing papal authority over the Americas.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the impact of the Black Death on European society and culture. Be sure to discuss the social, economic, and cultural changes that occurred as a result of the pandemic. (Possible evidence: The writings of Boccaccio, the rise of a new middle class, the growth of cities and trade.)
• Possible essay prompt: Evaluate the significance of the Treaty of Tordesillas in shaping the modern world order. Be sure to discuss the implications of the treaty for European powers, indigenous cultures, and the environment. (Possible evidence: The colonization of the Americas, the transfer of European diseases and technologies, the emergence of new global powers.)
• Possible essay prompt: Discuss the role of humanism in shaping the Renaissance and the Age of Exploration. Be sure to analyze the ideas and values of humanist thinkers, such as Leonardo da Vinci and Erasmus. (Possible evidence: The art and inventions of Leonardo da Vinci, the writings of Erasmus, the emergence of a new middle class.)

Quick Self?Check

1. What was the primary cause of the Black Death? a) The plague b) The Crusades c) The decline of the Roman Empire Answer: a) The plague. The Black Death was caused by the bubonic plague, which spread rapidly throughout Europe.
2. Who proposed the heliocentric model of the universe? a) Nicolaus Copernicus b) Galileo Galilei c) Isaac Newton Answer: a) Nicolaus Copernicus. Copernicus proposed the heliocentric model in his book De revolutionibus orbium coelestium.
3. What was the primary purpose of the Treaty of Tordesillas? a) To establish papal authority over the Americas b) To divide the New World between Spain and Portugal c) To promote trade and commerce between European powers Answer: b) To divide the New World between Spain and Portugal. The Treaty of Tordesillas established the principle of papal authority over the Americas, dividing the New World between Spain and Portugal.

Last?Minute Cram Sheet

• The Black Death occurred from 1346 to 1353.
• The Treaty of Tordesillas was signed in 1494.
• Christopher Columbus led the first European expedition to the Americas in 1492.
• The Renaissance began in the 14th century and lasted until the 17th century.
• The Age of Exploration was driven by the desire for new trade routes, resources, and markets.
• The Inquisition was established in 1478 and lasted until 1834.
• Nicolaus Copernicus proposed the heliocentric model of the universe in 1543.
• The Protestant Reformation began in 1517 and lasted until 1648.
• The Medici Family sponsored artists, architects, and thinkers in Florence.
• The Age of Exploration led to the transfer of European diseases and technologies to the Americas.
• The Treaty of Tordesillas established papal authority over the Americas.
• The Black Death led to significant social, economic, and cultural changes in Europe.