Renaissance, Reformation, and Colonial Empires: Key Concepts

Humanism and the Renaissance

Humanism was a movement of cultural rebirth that originated in Italy in the 15th century. Its main features include:

• Based on classical culture
• Interest in the human being
• Consideration of the human being as the center of the world

Humanism spread thanks to printing, academies, and universities.

The Renaissance can be divided into two main phases:

• Quattrocento (1400-1500): Applied to Italian art.
• Cinquecento (1500-1600):

The main features of Renaissance art are:

• Separation of art from the church
• Inspiration from Greek and Roman art
• Artworks taking the human being as a reference

The Reformation

Issues of Lutheranism

• Christians are saved by faith.
• All believers have equal access to God.
• Two sacraments are recognized.
• The scriptures are the only doctrine.
• Christ's sacrifice happened only once.
• No heavenly intermediaries are needed to intercede with God.

The Council of Trent

The Council of Trent was a meeting between Catholics and Protestants to resolve their differences.

Renaissance painters used color, composition, and background scenes. They discovered perspective, their figures had harmonious proportions, and aimed for beauty. There were four great artists in the Cinquecento: Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian.

The Counter-Reformation

The Counter-Reformation was a reform movement within the Catholic Church. These changes provoked long, violent religious wars, intolerance in Europe, and the creation of the Inquisition.

Spanish Empire and Colonialism

Revolt of the Comuneros

The Revolt of the Comuneros started because of the increase in taxes. Peasant rebels and the rebellion of the nobles was due to conserving the highest positions. Juan Padilla, Juan Bravo, and Francisco Maldonado, the leaders of the revolt, were executed.

Problems During Philip II's Reign

• War with France
• Confrontation with the Turks and England
• Revolt in the Low Countries
• The Invincible Armada

During 1500-1650, 12 million slaves were moved from Africa to America.

Crisis in the 17th Century

• Bad harvests and outbreaks of the plague
• The expulsion of the Moriscos
• Death caused by war and emigration

Pre-Columbian Civilizations

Inca Civilization

• Located in the western part of South America
• Ruled by a king
• Divided into four groups
• Main economic activity: cattle raising and agriculture
• Polytheistic

Mayan Civilization

• Occupied the Central America region
• Feudal society
• Hierarchy between farmers and the ruling class
• Agriculture was the main economic activity
• Polytheistic

Aztec Civilization

• Occupied most of Mesoamerica
• Ruled by an emperor
• Dependent on their possessions
• Agriculture was the main economic activity
• Polytheistic