Reasons, Rulers, and Renaissance Figures

Church Patronage of the Arts

Because they wanted to express their love of God by spending money to build and decorate churches. Others hoped that offerings of beautiful works of art would lead God to forgive their sins. Some Popes sponsored the arts because they hoped to inspire loyalty to the Church.

Challenges to Papal Power

Because they also disliked the power of the Pope and they wanted to collect their own taxes and make their own laws. They wanted the same power as the leaders of Italy's city-states.

Navigation Tools for Exploration

Because with the compass they could find out which direction they were traveling and they measured their latitude with an astrolabe.

Seeking New Trade Routes to Asia

Because they thought they would discover a new route to Asia and they would not have to pay high prices to Italian merchants. They also wanted to gain control of the rich trade with the East themselves.

Authority of Absolute Monarchs (Louis XIV)

Because they believed King Louis XIV's power came from God, so if they disobeyed him, they were offending God, and therefore, would go to hell. Also because as he was an absolute monarch, he controlled everything and he could kill anyone he wanted to.

Actions of Powerful States and Rulers

• They built palaces to show the rest of the world his wealth and power.
• Used their powerful military to expel Jews and Moors, as King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella did.
• Expand their territory.
• Support voyages of exploration.
• Improve the navy and modernized the army like the Czar of Russia did.

Impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade

Because European slavers lured Africans into wars against their neighbors. They even provided them with guns and other deadly weapons. Then the slavers bought men, women, and children captured in wars. Although Europeans wanted the youngest and healthiest Africans, the loss of so many of its best people and other problems created by the wars caused Africans to suffer for centuries.

Definition: City State

City state: a state which consists of just one city.

Key Historical Figures

• Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci
• Martin Luther, St. Vincent de Paul
• Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan
• King Louis XIV, Cardinal Richelieu
• Hernan Cortes, Francisco Pizarro