Download Part I - The Medieval Mind

Summer reading: AP European History
Name ________________________________
Due Date: Thursday, August 27, 2009
Summer Reading Packet, 2009-10
The required summer reading for this class is William Manchester’s, A World Lit Only By Fire.
This book can be purchased from local bookstores. As you read, remember that “History is not
just what happened; it’s who tells us what happened.” The primary purpose in reading this
book is to gain increased knowledge and perspective about the main characteristics and figures
of the Renaissance and the Reformation. At the same time, you must read critically.
Remember, Manchester is presenting only one of many interpretations of the Renaissance and
its relationship to the Middle Ages.
This study guide is divided into three parts: questions to answer as you read, a who's who list (alphabetical) of major figures you
will encounter as you read, and evaluation questions to answer after you have completed the book. Answer the questions
completely, summarizing in your own words. Do not simply recopy whole passages from the book.
Notes for A World Lit Only by Fire
Test on this book the first Friday of the semester.
Part I - The Medieval Mind
Describe the Dark Ages.
What role did Christianity play in the Middle Ages?
Why does Manchester say that the medieval world was not a "civilization"?
Summer reading: AP European History
What were the characteristics of the medieval mind?
What factors in the 15th century contributed to the beginning of the end of the Middle Ages?
Part II - The Shattering
In what ways was the 15th century a violent time?
What were some of the problems of the Roman Catholic Church?
How was the population of Europe distributed in 1500?
Describe medieval towns
Summer reading: AP European History
Describe life for peasants
Describe life for knights.
Describe the religious beliefs of the average European.
Describe common attitudes toward marriage and sexuality.
How did most great artists support themselves during the Renaissance?
Summer reading: AP European History
Explain the development of printing. What was its impact?
What kinds of education were available?
What role did ancient classical literature play in the Renaissance?
What did humanists believe/stand for?
Describe the Renaissance popes.
What were indulgences? Why were they so controversial?
Summer reading: AP European History
Describe Luther's early religious beliefs and experiences.
 Why did he post his 95 Theses?
 What were the effects?
Summarize the major events that led to Luther's break with the Roman Catholic Church.
In what ways had the groundwork for the Reformation been laid before Luther?
Of what importance was the use of vernacular language (not Latin) to the Reformation?
For what abuses did Luther criticize the Roman Catholic Church?
Summer reading: AP European History
Who supported Protestantism and why?
In what ways did humanism threaten the Church?
How did politics contribute to Luther's success?
What other Protestant movements developed besides Lutheranism?
What was Erasmus' position on the Reformation?
How did humanists respond to the Lutheran Reformation?
Summer reading: AP European History
Describe Calvinism.
Describe the sack of Rome in 1527.
How did the Roman Catholic Church respond to the Reformation?
Explain the reasons for and events of the English Reformation.
Part III - One Man Alone
What factors contributed to the end of the medieval world?
What motives did Europeans have for exploration"
Summer reading: AP European History
Assess the achievements/contributions of:

Martin Luther

Prince Henry the Navigator

Dias

DaGama

Columbus

Cabot

Ponce de Leon

Cortes

Balboa

Magellan
What role did politics play in Magellan's voyage?
What does Manchester think accounts for Magellan's success?
Summer reading: AP European History
Do you agree with Manchester's assessment of Magellan as "the world's greatest explorer"? Why or
why not?
Who's Who: Describe the historical importance/major contributions of each:
 Boccaccio

Cesare Borgia

Borgia family

Botticelli

John Calvin

Carlos I (Charles V)
Summer reading: AP European History

Castiglione

Copernicus

Dante Alighieri

Durer

Elizabeth I

Erasmus

Ferdinand and Isabella
Summer reading: AP European History

Francis I

Fugger family

Galileo

Gutenberg

Henry VII

Henry VIII

John Hus

Julius II
Summer reading: AP European History

Kepler

Leonardo da Vinci

Luther

Machiavelli

Mary I ("Bloody Mary")

Maximillian I

Medici family
Summer reading: AP European History

Michelangelo

More

Petrarch

Pico della Mirandola

Rabelais


Savonarola
Tetzel

Torquemada
Summer reading: AP European History

Zwingli
Critical Evaluation
Summarize Manchester's thesis in a single sentence. (What point is he trying to prove in writing this
book?)
Manchester includes a fair amount of sexual material in this book. Do you think it adds or detracts?
Why?
What kinds of people get the most attention in this book?
Who gets the least attention?
Is anyone missing entirely? Is this a problem? Why or why not?
Summer reading: AP European History
Read the "Acknowledgements and Sources" and skim through the bibliography. Do most of the sources
seem to be primary (written at the time - Renaissance) or secondary (written later)?
Does that influence how you evaluate this book? How?
Does Manchester have any evident biases that come through in his writing?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of this book as an overview of the Renaissance?