Unit 3: The Renaissance, Reformation and Exploration
Unit 3 covers the historical era from 1300 to 1600 called The Renaissance. The Renaissance marks the beginning of the “modern era” in world history when Western Europe recovered from the Middle Ages and experienced a “rebirth” in trade, learning, political stability, and cultural innovation. New scholars, called Humanists, believed that people were capable of doing anything. The Renaissance was known for innovation in art. Artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci used new techniques of realism, perspective, and classical designs from Greece and Rome. Authors emphasized human emotions, criticized medieval authority, and inspired a new wave of rulers. As the feudal system broke down and lords lost power, nations began to form under the rule of powerful kings. During this era of change, many people began questioning the practices of the Catholic Church and hoped to reform religious practices. During this Protestant Reformation, leaders like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church and formed new denominations of Christianity. The Catholic Church responded to these new Protestant faiths by sending Jesuit missionaries to make new converts.
Unit 3 covers the historical era from 1300 to 1600 called The Renaissance. The Renaissance marks the beginning of the “modern era” in world history when Western Europe recovered from the Middle Ages and experienced a “rebirth” in trade, learning, political stability, and cultural innovation. New scholars, called Humanists, believed that people were capable of doing anything. The Renaissance was known for innovation in art. Artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci used new techniques of realism, perspective, and classical designs from Greece and Rome. Authors emphasized human emotions, criticized medieval authority, and inspired a new wave of rulers. As the feudal system broke down and lords lost power, nations began to form under the rule of powerful kings. During this era of change, many people began questioning the practices of the Catholic Church and hoped to reform religious practices. During this Protestant Reformation, leaders like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church and formed new denominations of Christianity. The Catholic Church responded to these new Protestant faiths by sending Jesuit missionaries to make new converts.