Chapter 16: transformation of the west 

1.  Chapter 16:transformation of the west

2. That “other” Renaissance • Italy begins to decline as a Renaissance “center” around 1500 • The Northern Renaissance: focused in France, Germany, & England after 1450 • Northern Renaissance focused on religion more than Italian Renaissance; but still mainly involved in culture, architecture, and the arts

3. Power Politics • Interest in military conquest grew throughout Europe. • Decline in “feudal” alliances • Monarchy’s grow stronger; kings push for expansion • Alliances made, but “just for looks” • Example: Francis I (king of France) forms alliance with Ottoman Turk leader. But his main goal is to have this alliance act as a distraction towards his real target – the ruler of Austria & Spain.

4. “Down like the Economy” – Lil Wayne • ECONOMY & TECHNOLOGY: • Stronger iron products in the West (Europe) • Increased trading contacts w/ Asia • Printing introduced in 15th century; Johannes Gutenberg (no relation) • Gutenberg (still no relation) improved the printing technology previously developed by the Chinese • This leads to increase in book distribution – helps Renaissance writers reach a larger audience; also leads to increase in literacy rates

6. “We are Family!... Get up everybody and SING!” (but seriously…DON’T!) • New Family Structure: • Later marriages – usually not until late-20’s • Family was focused on the “nuclear” family and not the extended family living together • Nuclear family – yo mama, yo daddy, yoseesters, yobruthas • Extended family – all of the above PLUS: yo aunties, yo uncles, yo grandparents, yo cousins. • These changes to family structure started occurring in the 16th century • Linked family’s with property; most people could NOT marry unless they had property or access to property • Late marriages also limited overcrowding because families had fewer children! (like an old school birth control method! – Nueces County needs this…like now!!!) • GOT IT?! Good!

7. The Protestant & Catholic Reformations • During the 16th century religious upheaval began to occur in Europe • Religious Upheaval! Ahhhh! >:0

8. The original Martin Luther (no not King Jr.) • Martin Luther         • German monk • In 1517, he nailed a document to the door of a castle church in Germany • The document had his 95 theses (propositions) • BIG idea – he protested against the pope’s representatives for selling indulgences (grants for salvation) in exchange for money. Luther believed that only faith could grant salvation. • Luther also argued that priests should be allowed to marry and that the bible should be translated from Latin so others could read/understand it. • Luther picks up support from followers during the mid-16th century

9. Other Christian Groups • England: • King Henry VIII – set up the Anglican Church to challenge the pope’s attempt to enforce his first marriage (failed to “produce” a son/heir) • Side-Story: Henry VIII had 6 wives (possibly more); he executed 2 of them for not “producing” a son/heir…well allegedly executed them • France/Germany/Others • Jean Calvin – Frenchman; “Calvinism” claims that God had a pre-destination or pre-determination of those who would be granted salvation • Calvinism was accepted in parts of Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands, Hungary, and in England & Scotland

10. “We will not go quietly into the night” – President Whitmore, ‘Independence Day’  SWEET movie • Catholic Church did NOT restore religious unity, but did defend key areas of Europe for the Catholic faith. • Under a Catholic Reformation church councils revived Catholic doctrine and refuted any Protestant ideas (Protestant = a sect w/in Christianity)

11. End of Christian Unity in the West • Protestant & Catholic reformations had several results during late 16th & 17th centuries: • Religious Wars: • France was the scene of battles between Calvinist & Catholic forces; • The Edict of Nantes (1598)ended this struggle • Thirty Years War (1618-1648): • German Protestants vs. Holy Roman Empire (also supported by Spain) • Devastating for Germany (cut population by as much as 60%) • Reduced German power and prosperity for almost a full century • Ended with the Treaty of Westphalia (1648) • English Civil War (1640’s - 1660): • Religious issues plus battle of parliament’s rights to control royal actions • Full resolution came in 1688-1689 (The Glorious Revolution) • Parliament won sovereignty over the king

12. The Commercial Revolution • Economic structure of Europe was redefined in the 16th century • Increase in trade; new goods available to them • Price inflation began the commercial revolution; inflation was caused by the large amounts of gold and silver being brought back from Latin America • European merchants brought back new goods from various trading areas (India, Africa, Latin America) • Technological improvements made in metal-works and in mining • Merchants, and even peasants, were more prosperous than before.

13. Commercial Revolution (cont.) • Not all prospered though…those who did NOT have access to property or goods still suffered. • Proletariat – the people without access to wealth-producing property • Another rise in population growth and rising food prices made it difficult for the poor (in some cases they had to sell their land for food)  • Peasant uprisings/protests began at end of 16th century until about 1650. • Peasants and townspeople wanted greater protection from poverty • France: • Protestant & Catholic peasants rose together against landlords and taxes

14. Witches!!! • During same time period, outburst against suspected witches arose. • Between 60,000 and 100,000 suspected witches were accused and killed! • The witchcraft persecutions reflected resentment against the poor; this was often done by communities who were unwilling to accept responsibility for their poverty. • Role of Women – women were most often the targets of persecution

15. The Scientific Revolution! • Scientific Revolution – period of advances associated w/ the development of wider theoretical generalizations; changed thinking from the Middle Ages • Improved microscopes & telescopes helped advancements in biology and astronomy • Copernicus – used astronomical observations and mathematic calculations to prove that the Earth was NOT the center of the universe, rather, it revolved around the sun • Johannes Kepler – studied planetary motion; used work from Copernicus • Isaac Newton – published Principia Mathematica; set forth the basic principles of all motion; defined the forces of gravity in mathematical detail; helped explain planetary orbit described by Kepler

16. Scientific Revolution. (cont.) • Became popular among educated Western Europeans • New scientific institutions set up with government aid to advance research

17. John Locke • Englishman • Argued that people could learn everything they needed to know through their senses and reasoning; faith was irrelevant in this matter

18. Absolute Monarchy vs. Parliamentary Monarchy • Absolute Monarchy – concept of government developed during the 17th century; featured monarchs (kings) who passed laws WITHOUT parliaments; appointed their own professional armies and bureaucracies; established state churches and imposed state economic policies (taxes) • Example: France – King Louis XIV… “I am the state.” • Parliamentary Monarchy – originated in England and Holland during 17th century; kings were partially “checked” by legislative powers in parliaments. • Nation State – areas unified by a common language and culture; promote political values and traditions of their region

19. The Enlightenment • The “aftermath” of the Scientific Revolution • An intellectual movement • 18th century • Centered in France but spread throughout the “Western world” • Applied scientific methods to human society • Rational laws could help describe social and physical behavior • Produced a basic set of principles about humans: • Human beings are good, but improvable, and can be educated to be better; reason is the key to truth ------------------------------------------------------- • Random Side Note: The Encyclopedia originated during the Enlightenment!