AP European History Study Guide Chapter 10 – READ THE BEGINNING!

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Review Questions
The Renaissance in Italy
1) What does the word renaissance mean?
Rebirth
I. Describe how this period differed from the medieval period.
Contrasting the medieval period, Renaissance Europe, “…was characterized by a growing national
consciousness and political centralization, an urban economy, based on organized commerce and
capitalism, and growing lay and secular control of thought and culture, including religion.”
2) What were city-states?
Trade rich cities became city states which dominated economic and political life. City states were also
considered the bankers of Europe.
I. The major ones?
The Duchy of Milan, Republic of Florence and Venice, the Papal States, and the kingdom of Naples.
II. What was life like in the city-states?
Life in the city states, except for Venice, was characterized by social division and anarchy. The powers
of the city-states fell into the hand of despotisms.

III. Where was the Renaissance centered?

Italy
IV. Why?
Italy was the gateway between Eastern and Western Europe. Because of it’s location it first
experienced many traditions and beliefs.
3) How were the people socially divided in Italy?
Competition for political power divided the people socially in Italy.
I. Explain the classes.
1. The old rich or grandi- people in this class were usually the nobles and merchants and ruled the
city.
2. The emergent newly merchant class, capitalists and bankers- Known as the popolo grosso (fat
people). This group challenged the old rich for political power.
3. Middle rank guild masters, shop owners and professionals- Small business people the new rich
policies (instead of conservative, old rich policies.)
4. The popolo minuto (little people) - The lower economic class which consisted of 1/3 the
population.
4) Who was Cosimo de Medici?
Cosimo de Medici was the wealthiest man in Florence and a statesman.
I. How did he rule?
He controlled Florence internally, behind the scenes by manipulating the elections and constitution. He
kept the Signori (council of 6-8 men who governed the city) loyal to him to help him further.
5) What is humanism?
Humanism was the scholarly study of Latin and Greek classics and ancient church fathers. (For its own
purposes as well as the hope in reviving respected ancient norm and values.)
I. Describe its main characteristics.
The main Characteristics of humanism are: the promotion of civic responsibility, and political liberty,
and also studia humanitatis (a liberal arts program that studided grammar, rhetoric, poetry, history,
politics, and moral philosophy). Mainly humanism was far more secular than religious as it focused
and studied the greatness of man rather than that of a higher power.

6) Who was Francesco Petrarch (1304-1374)?

He was considered the father of humanism. He was a poet with many famous works and he served the
Visconti family in Milan.
I. What was he called?
Petrarch
II. What was his most famous work?
A collection of love sonnets addressed to Laura.
7) Who was Dante (1265-1321)?
He was a writer, poet, and humanist
I. What did he write?
He wrote Vita Nuova and Divine comedy Form.
8) Who was Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375)?
He was a pioneer of humanist studies.
I. What did he write?
Decameron
9) Who was Baldassare Castiglione (1478-1529)?
He was a writer and humanist.
I. What did he write?
The Book of Courtier
II. Describe the book?
The book rediscovered knowledge of the past and used that knowledge to model and challenge the
present. It embodied high ideals of Italian humanism.
10) Who was Christine de Pisan (1363-1434)?
The Italian daughter of Charles V. She was an expert of classical French and Italian Languages and
literature.
I. What did she write?
The Treasure of the City of Ladies
II. What is she known as?
She was known as the daughter of Charles V, and as an expert of classical French and Italian Languages
and literature.

11) What was the Florentine Academy?

The Florentine Academy was an informal gathering of influential humanists.
I. What was it devoted to?
It was devoted to the revival of the works of Plato.
12. Who was Lorenzo Valla (1406-1457)?
He was a Renaissance scholar.
I. What did he write?
Elegances of the Latin language and the Donation of Constantine.
II. Why was he a hero to later Protestants?
He was a hero to later Protestants because, although he was a Catholic, in his Donation of Constantine
he wrote the grant which claimed territories which the Roman emporer Constantine donated to the
pope.
13. What is civic humanism?
Civic Humanism is the belief that education should promote individual virtue and public service.
14. How did the art of the Renaissance differ from the art of the medieval period?
Medieval art was abstract and formulaic whereas renaissance art embraced the natural world and human
emotions.
a. What new techniques were used?
Renaissance artists used new techniques of symmetry, proportionality, shadowing, and linear perspective.
15. Describe Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) and his works.
Da Vinci was a true master of many skills, a universal person. These skills include painting, inventing,
experimenting, writing (poetry), architecting, and so on. He has many famous works such as the last supper
which depicts Jesus before crucifixion, the Vetruvian Man which is now used as the symbol of man, and
most famously the Mona Lisa which depicts “the most beautiful woman in the world”. These are only a few
of his works; he truly was a jack of all trades.
16. Discuss the art of Raphael (1483-1521).
Raphael was a painter. His most famous works were the Madonna’s and the School of Athens. Madonna
depicts Madonna holding baby Jesus. This piece of art uses the technique of mannerism, which distorts a
subject (baby Jesus) to effect perception of the painting. The School of Athens shows Plato and Aristotle
surrounded by many other great philosophers. Many piece of Greek and Roman architecture can be seen in
this piece as well. This piece shows many humanistic ideals as it includes philosophy which was a main
focus of humanists as well as Greek and Roman culture.
 17. Discuss the art of Michelangelo (1475-1564).
Michelangelo was a sculptor and painter. His most famous works are David, and the Cistine Chapel. David
is a (naked) statue of David preparing to go into battle of Goliath. The purpose of David being naked is to
show the beauty of man to the world. Again these are humanistic ideals portrayed in the artwork. The
Cistine Chapel was painted on the ceiling of the Cistine Chapel. It is a work of great beauty and detail,
which shows many biblical stories and figures.
18. Discuss the art of Donatello (1386-1466).
Donatello was a sculptor. His famous works include The Equestrian Mount, and David. The Equestrian
Mount shows an Equestrian riding his horse. This statue was sculpted out of bronze and again shows many
humanistic ideals. There were many statues of this kind in the time of the Greeks and Romans. Donatello’s
David is the first freestanding statue of a naked man since Roman times. It depicts a feminine looking
Davind standing of the head of Goliath. This statue made a bold statement as it brought back Roman
culture and also hinted at feminine nudity.
Italy’s Political Decline: The French Invasions in 1494 to 1527
19. What was the Treaty of Lodi (1454-1455)?
The Treaty of Lodi brought Milan and Naples into alliance with Florence in order to keep Italy safe from
foreign invasion.
a. What did it succeed in doing?
It united Milan, Napes and Florence in order to keep peace and safety from foreign invasion. It
succeeded in keeping internal cooperation.
b. What event ended the arrangement?
The arrangement ended in 1494 when Naples threatened Milan.
20. Who was Charles VIII of France (r. 1483-1498)?
Charles VIII of France was the successor of Louis XI with a vision to conquer Italy, in order to gain
territory.
a. What did he accomplish?
He conquered Florence, the Papal States and Naples. Later the League of Venice sent him into retreat.
21. Who was Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527)?
Niccolo Machiavelli was a humanist and a student of ancient Rome who lived during the time of the Italian
Renaissance.
a. What were his main beliefs/concerns regarding Italy?
He believed that, “Italian political unity and independence were justified at any means.” He also held
republican ideals that he wanted to remain in Italy. These ideals were that strong and determined
people could struggle successfully with fortune. He wanted Italy to stop feuding so that they could
drive away foreign invaders.
b. What did he write and describe his book.
Machiavelli wrote The Prince. In this book he rejected traditional Christian outlook that the state
should be subjected to divine law, and instead approached a totally secular view of politics.
Revival of Monarchy in Northern Europe
22. Name some of the signs that revealed that monarchs gained power after 1450.
When the nobility and clergy declined, they were less able to stop the growing monarchies. Townspeople
worked in royal offices, instead of the nobility and the clergy working in royal offices. This bond between
the king and town broke the feudal society and allowed the monarchies to rise. Sovereign state powers of
tax, war and law were now in the hand of the monarchies.
23. What was the gabelle and alcabala?
The gabelle and alcabala were taxes of France and Spain. The gabelle was a salt tax in France and the
acabala was 10% sales tax in Spain. These were methods of raising money in monarchies.
24. Name the monarchs of Europe, at the end of the 15th/beginning of the 16th century.
France: Louis XI, Charles VIII, and Louis XIII, Spain: Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabelle of Castile,
England: Edward IV, Richard III, and Henry VII.
The Northern Renaissance
25. How did the Renaissance differ in Northern Europe as compared to Italy?
The biggest difference between the Renaissance in Northern Europe and Italy was humanism. Humanists in
Northern Europe came from more diverse social backgrounds and were more devoted to religious reforms
than the Italians. Their art styles and mediums also differed because of their climate and regional
differences.
 26. How did the printing press change European culture?
The printing press revolutionized the spread of ideas and political and religious propaganda. Because texts
were so much easier to access literacy began to affect people everywhere. Humanists also gained
importance as their audiences expanded vastly. Anyone who could read during this era became of instant
authority.
a. Who was credited with inventing it?
Johann Gutenberg
27. Who was Desiderus Erasmus (1466-1536)?
Erasmus was the most famous northern (Christian) humanist. Through printed works he gained fame both
as an educational and religious reformer.
a. Where was he from and what was his nickname?
He was from Rotterdam, Holland. His nickname was Erasmus (The Prince of Humanists?)
b. What were his beliefs?
He believed that the Christian religion offered humans with guidelines of moral conduct and that
religion and learning are bound together. He believed that humans had the ability to reform
institutions.
c. What did he write/re-write?
He wrote/re-wrote Adages.
28. Who was Thomas More (1478-1535)?
Thomas More was the best known English humanist.
a. Where was he from and what did he write?
He was from England and wrote Utopia.
b. Describe his book.
His book depitcied an imaginary society which was based on reason and tolerance. Social and
political injustice was overcome by techniques used in a communistic society. (property and goods
were all a commonality)
c. Why was he executed?
He was executed because he refused to recognize King Henry VIII’s marriage to Anne Boleyn.
29. Who was Francesco Jimenez de Cisneros (1437-1517)?
He was the key figure in the Protestant Reforms through the Catholic Church in Spain.
a. Where was he from and what did he write?
He was from Spain and he wrote Complutensian Polyglot Bible.
Voyages of Discovery and the New Empires in the West (Pages 340-349)
30. Who was Henry the Navigator?
He was the brother to the king of Portugal. He was important figure in the Portuguese Empire and the
Age of Discovery.
a. Where was he from and what did he discover?
He was from Portugal and discovered the Madeira Islands off the coast of Africa as well as Indian
31. Who was Bartholomeu Dias?
He was a Portuguese explorer and noblemen of the Portuguese royal household.
a. Where was he from and what did he discover?
He was from Algarve and discovered the Cape of Good Hope on the tip of Africa.
32. Who was Vasco de Gama?
He was a Portuguese explorer.
a. Where was he from and what did he discover?
He was from Portugal and he discovered India (he was the commander of on of the first ships to sail to
India.)
33. Who was Christopher Columbus?
He was a Genoese seaman who wanted to sail west straight to India.
a. Where was he from and what did he discover?
He was from Genoa, Italy and he discovered America.
34. Who was Hernan Cortes?
He was a Spanish conquistador .
a. Where was he from and what did he do?
He was from Spain and he conquered the Aztec empire.
35. Who was Francisco Pizarro?
 He was a Spanish conquistador.
a. Where was he from and what did he do?
He was from Spain and conquered the Incan empire.
36. Who was Bartolome de Las Casas?
He was a clerical critic of Spanish conquistadors.
a. What did he argue?
He argued that conquest wasn’t necessary for conversion.
37. What were the main motives behind the exploration of the new world?
The main motives behind the exploration of the new world were the siege of land, the gain of wealth and labor,
and the opportunity to expand religion. The new world offered opportunities in all of these areas and the
opportunities looked promising to all of Europe.
38. What were the three main components in the colonial economy of Latin America?
The three components of the colonial economy in Latin America were mining, agriculture and shipping.
a. Briefly describe each component?
Early conquistadors were interested in silver mining wich was the chief source of metallic wealth.
Spanish vrown received 1/5 of all revenues which in turn gave the crown a monopoly over the
production and sale of mercury (needed for silver). It was produced by forced labor.

The main institution of Spanish colonial agriculture was the hacienda, a large estate. Laborers
were subjected to their owners and weren’t free to move. The hacienda economy produced
foodstuffs for mining area and urban centers and leather goods used in mining machinery. In the
West Indies the basic means of agriculture was a plantation. Other islands used black slave
laborers to supply Europe’s sugar needs.

Urban service occupations (government offices, the lega professions, and shipping) were another
area of economic activity. These workers were Peninsulares or Creoles.
b. What was the encomienda?
Encomienda was a social device used to lure the Native’s into labor. It entitled a certain number of
Indians a formal grant to the right of labor.
39. How did colonization of the Americas change Europe intellectually and economically?
Intellectually colonization affected Europe as it questioned the geographic knowledge of the
world, which led to questioning of other traditional knowledge. It also shed light on the treatment
of Native Americans, which brought up human issues. However enlightenment thinkers believed
the Columbus’s discoveries that new era were opened in communication and globalization.

Economically colonization affected Europe as there was an influx of spices and precious metals.
These materials caused prices and the inflation rate to rise (excess coinage also contributed) in the
16th century. It was a gradual increase but none the less large. New wealth helped governments
and entrepreneurs to sponsor research and expansion in printing, shipping, mining, textile,and
weapons industries. At this time capitalistic virtues were high, and new wealth and industrial
development gave the poor and ambitious higher expectations, while reactionary tendencies of the
wealth heightened. These events all began the early steps of reformation.

Essay Questions
a. Discuss how Renaissance ideas are expressed in the Italian art of the period, referring to
specific works and artists
During the Renaissance there were many new cultural and traditional ideas which affected Italian art,
but the greatest of those were the humanistic ideals portrayed in Michelangelo’s David, Raphael’s
School of Athens, and Botticelli’s Birth of Venus.

Paragraph 1: The focus and glorification of man and mankind was one major humanistic ideal which
was seen through David.
Evidence:
David is naked in order to show the beauty of the human body.
David was a religious figure in Greek and Roman ( humanistic ideals bring back culture from these
times.)
 Paragraph 2: The reintroduction of many cultural aspects from ancient Greek and Roman times was
also another prominent humanist ideal, this includes philosophy. These characteristics can be found in
the School of Athens.
Evidence:
There are many Greek and Roman philosophers found in the painting.
They are the focal point of the piece and seem almost god-like.
Greek and Roman architecture is seen in the background of the picture.

Paragraph 3: Again, many humanistic ideals focus on the reintroduction of Greek and Roman culture.
Specific religious culture of the Romans and Greeks are portrayed in the Birth of Venus.
Evidence:
Venus was a pagan goddess (she was not worshiped in renaissance times/it was bad to worship her.)
They painting glorifies her and makes her seem as if she is any other goddess at the time.

Through these three pieces humanistic ideals are strongly present.

b. European monarchs of the late 15th and early 16th centuries are often referred to as the “new
Monarchs.” What was “new” about them? Do their actions warrant this label?

Do the following for BOTH prompts: Complete an outline for each of the prompts.
1) Write a thesis statement. It should include the main ideas that you will discuss in each paragraph. Make
sure that it answers the question.

1) What is the main idea of your first paragraph? This should be a complete sentence.
a. What evidence will you use to support this idea?
2) What is the main idea of your second paragraph? This should be a complete sentence.
a. What evidence will you use to support this idea?
3) What is the main idea of your third paragraph? This should be a complete sentence.
a. What evidence will you use to support this idea?
4) Write a conclusion for each of the prompts.