Glossary
Age of Exploration
A historical period, primarily from the 15th to the 18th centuries, marked by extensive overseas voyages by European explorers seeking new trade routes, resources, and territories.
Example:
Christopher Columbus's transatlantic voyages were a defining moment of the Age of Exploration, fundamentally altering global geography and cultural exchange.
Commercial and Agricultural Capitalism
An economic system characterized by private ownership of capital, free markets, and the pursuit of profit, applied to both trade and farming, which began to emerge during the Renaissance.
Example:
The rise of powerful merchant families like the Medici, who invested in banking, textiles, and trade, illustrates the burgeoning of commercial and agricultural capitalism.
Exploration and Colonization
The historical period during which European powers embarked on extensive voyages of discovery, leading to the establishment of overseas colonies and global trade networks.
Example:
Vasco da Gama's successful sea voyage around Africa to India opened new routes for Exploration and Colonization, bypassing traditional land-based trade routes.
Feudal Power
The system of political and social organization prevalent in medieval Europe, based on land ownership, loyalty, and a hierarchy of lords and vassals, which began to decline during the Renaissance.
Example:
The increasing centralization of monarchical authority during the Renaissance gradually eroded the decentralized nature of feudal power, leading to stronger nation-states.
Great Schism
A period from 1378 to 1417 when the Catholic Church was divided by the presence of two, and later three, rival popes, each claiming legitimate authority.
Example:
The Great Schism severely damaged the prestige and authority of the papacy, contributing to widespread calls for church reform that would later fuel the Reformation.
Hundred Years' War
A series of conflicts fought between England and France from 1337 to 1453, primarily over dynastic claims to the French throne and territorial disputes.
Example:
Joan of Arc's inspirational leadership helped rally French forces and played a crucial role in the eventual French victory in the Hundred Years' War.
Middle Ages
The historical period in Europe spanning from the 5th to the 15th century, often characterized by feudalism, the dominance of the Church, and a focus on the afterlife, preceding the Renaissance.
Example:
During the Middle Ages, most Europeans lived in rural, agrarian communities, with life largely dictated by the rhythms of the seasons and the local lord's authority.
Rediscovery of Classics
The re-emergence and widespread study of ancient Greek and Roman texts, art, and philosophical ideas during the Renaissance, which profoundly influenced European intellectual and cultural development.
Example:
The translation and circulation of Plato's works during the Rediscovery of Classics inspired new humanist philosophies that emphasized human potential and reason.
Renaissance
A transformative period in European history, beginning in the late 14th century, characterized by a renewed interest in classical art, literature, and philosophy, leading to significant advancements and a shift in societal values.
Example:
The artistic masterpieces of Michelangelo, such as the Sistine Chapel ceiling, are iconic examples of the creative explosion during the Renaissance.
Secular Studies
Areas of intellectual inquiry and learning that are independent of religious doctrine, focusing instead on human reason, empirical observation, and worldly affairs.
Example:
The detailed anatomical drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, based on direct observation rather than religious dogma, exemplify the growing importance of secular studies.