Download Middle Ages ren ref

Aaron Brezinski
May 27, 2010
Middle Ages ren ref
1. What is Feudalism?
Feudalism is a social, political, and economic system that dominated all aspects of
medieval life.
2. What is Manorialism?
It is the economic part of feudalism. It centered on a lord’s estate or manor.
3. What was the Role of the Church?
Spiritual- it was a central part of medieval life, from baptisms to marriages.
Secular- they had economic and political power. It was the largest landholder, and they gained
wealth through tithing and had its own laws and courts which frequently clashed with the kings’
authority. Some priests ran schools.
4. What were the reasons and impact of the crusades?
In the 1050’s the Seljuk Turks invaded the Byzantine Empire and conquered the Palestine (Holy
Land). Muslims and Jews considered this their “Holy Land”. The Pope called for a crusade to free
the Holy Land.
The Pope wanted to increase his power. Christians believed they had to be in control of the Holy
Land. Nobles wanted to gain wealth. Adventures wanted excitement and to travel. Serfs hoped
to escape oppression.
5. What was the impact of trade fairs?
It ended feudalism because serfs could pay in cash instead of services. Merchants would settle
in big towns or at major crossroads.
6. What is the Renaissance and why did it start in Italy?
Renaissance means “rebirth”. It was a golden age of art, literature, and science. It started in
Italy because it was a large city-state with thriving centers of trade and manufacturing. They
were wealthy merchants. They had the money to pursue other interests.
7. What was the new outlook during the Renaissance?
People now enjoyed worldly pleasures. Humanists could enjoy life without insulting God. People
cared more about the here and now and worldly concerns, rather than God. They were still
Catholics.
8. Give two examples of art and literature from during the Renaissance.
An example of art is the painter Leonardo de Vinci. An example of literature is Dante’s Divine
Comedy.
9. What was the impact of the printing press?
It allowed for books to become more available, which rapidly increased literacy and spread
ideas.
10. What was the Reformation?
The reformation led to the renaissance, strong monarchs, and problems within the church.
11. What was Protestantism?
The Protestantism was when a German monk named Martin Luther (in 1517) promoted new
ideas that faith in God alone, not the Pope, granted pardon for sins. It started the Protestant
Reformation. Followers of his beliefs became Lutherans, eventually Protestants (because the
protested Papal authority).
12. What was the Counter Reformation?
This one happened in the Catholic Church. It was designed to keep the Catholic faith strong and
to keep them from converting to Protestantism. In 1545 Council of Trent reaffirmed Catholic
beliefs and they worked to end abuses. Ignatius Loyola founded the Jesuits. They were
missionaries who helped spread Catholicism around the world.