THE BIRTH OF THE

MODERN WORLD

 1. the modern period

a) Demographic and economic recovery

During the second half of the 15th century the major epidemics disappeared
and the birth rate increased→ population rose. The rise demand more land
cultivation and more crops, an agricultural surplus was generated and sold.

Improvements in shipping gave rise to trade in the seas: Mediterranean, Baltic,

North. This led to an increase in the production of hand-made goods,
manufacturing and the growth of the cities. The need for capital to travel and buy
goods resulting in the growth of the banking system. Bills of exchange were
created to facilitate trade and payments.

b) The rise of the bourgeoisie

Bourgeoisies made their money from capital, which they invested in profitable
activities (trade, manufacturing, banks). The first capitalist companies emerged
and foundations of merchant capitalism were laid. Some trading and banking
families accumulated huge fortunes and had great political influence.
 1. the modern period (ii)
c) The strength of the monarchy
In the 15th century the monarchs took back the power
that the feudal nobility had accumulated during the Middle
Ages. Authoritarian monarchies were established.

Monarchs created permanent armies and set up

bureaucratic systems and treasuries to control the
administration and finances of the kingdom. They also
created diplomatic unions with partner countries.
2. the humanism

Medieval times → theocentrism: God is the centre

→
Humanism anthropocentrism: the human beings were the centre of nature and
presented them as free beings capable of rational thought.

Humanists rediscovered the art and culture of Greeks and Romans. They created
academies, where manuscripts were translated. Famous humanists: Erasmus of
Rotterdam, Petrarch, Pico della Mirandola, Thomas More, Machiavelli, Vesalius,
Copernicus.

Ideals:
-New man: the man is the most perfect of God's creation. Is the centre os the
universe.
-Freedom and reason: human is a free being responsible for his actions and
capable of rational thought. Reflection and scientific research.
-Scientific interest: they used the observation and experimentation.
-Rediscovery of antiquity: classical authors (Plato, Aristotle) were models.
-Human progress: they believed in God and the Christian faith, which were
compatible with reason and contribute to human progress.
-Education: teaching should be based on dialogue and reasoning.
3. THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION

At the end of the Middle Ages, people began to question the attitudes of the Church. These
included:
1. The luxurious lifestyles of the high clergy.
2. The lack of culture and weakening of moral standards of the clergy who set a bad
example.
3. The buying and selling of ecclesiastical positions for personal economic benefit.
4. The selling of papal bulls and indulgences

In 1517 Martin Luther, nailed a list of 95 theses against the Catholic faith and the church.
He condemned the wealth of the Church, denied the value of indulgences and advocated a
new religion based on:
1. Salvation through faith: Only faith in God could lead to eternal salvation, regardless of
acts.
2. Authority of the Bible: should be read and interpreted by believers without
intervention of the Church.
3. Universal priesthood: all baptised people were priests.

The Lutheran doctrine denied the sovereignty of the Pope, removed religious orders
and the worship of images and reduced the sacraments to two: baptism and the
Eucharist (communion).
3. THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION (ii)
Lutheran church
Supported by German princes and nobles who wanted to strength their authority
against Charles V and the Pope.
Countries: Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Norway.

Calvinist Church
Calvinism started in Switzerland by John Calvin.
Predestination: only few people were predestinated for salvation.
Spread: France (Huguenots), England (Puritans), Scotland (Presbyterian).

Anglican Church
Began in England with King Henry VIII. The Pope would not allow him to annul his
marriage to Catherine of Aragón. In 1534 Henry VIII declared the Act of Supremacy
(the king is the supreme head of the Church of England).
→Video: Why did Henry VIII executed his wives?
4. THE CATHOLIC COUNTER-REFORMATION

The Council of Trent

To stop the spread of the Protestantism, the Catholic authorities began a reform of their own
Church known as the Counter Reformation.

Pope Paul III convened the Council of Trent (1545-1563) which was created to correct the
errors of the Church and establishing the dogmas and rites required of Catholics.

Many religious orders were reformed and new ones created, including the Society of Jesus,
which was founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in 1540.

The Inquisition
To ensure the Protestantism did not spread to Catholic countries, the Pope created the
Roman Inquisition in 1542. They persecuted and punished those who deviated from the
dogmas of the Church.

They subjected those suspected of heresy to a public trial (Auto-da-fé). The accused had to
renounce their beliefs in order to return to the Church, if they did not, they were convicted and
condemned, often to burn at the stake.
4. THE CATHOLIC COUNTER-REFORMATION (ii)

Wars of Religion
This religious division caused confrontations and wars
between Catholics and Protestants. Religious
intolerance spread throughout Europe. After more than
a century of wars and persecution, religious tolerance
finally prevailed. This promoted coexistence between
people of different religions.