AP EUROPEAN HISTORY Fall Unit I 10/11

Renaissance, Reformation & Religious Wars

Historically, the “break” in European history between the medieval period and that of “modern”
Europe, is known as the Renaissance. In 14th and 15th century Italy, the revival of classical learning, new
secular values rivaled traditional religious doctrine. People began to adopt a rational, objective approach to
the world, focusing on the achievements/potential of humans and individuals. Italian humanism, secularism,
individualism and materialism founded in Italy took on a much more “Christian” context in northern Europe.
Between 800 and 1400 a.d., Europe was a largely feudal, agricultural-based society, with life dominated by
the Roman Catholic Church. “New monarchs” brought about political centralization and while economic
wealth was not just agrarian in nature. Although historians disagree with the extent to which the
Renaissance marked a significant change in mindset, the Renaissance was definitely an age of magnificent
artistic and architectural achievement. Serious “corruption” and years of diminished respect for the RCC
increased calls for reform. The printing press enabled the widespread distribution of the ideas of the leading
reformers of the day – Luther and Calvin. Taking advantage of the “Reformation,” political leaders
increased their national power, while the RCC was forced to implement significant reforms. One of the key
results of the political turmoil created by the Reformation were the late-16th and early-17th century religious
wars that broke out across Europe. The “secularization” of European life increased as religion became
increasingly immersed in the power politics of competing European monarchs. The late 15th century
witnessed the beginning of European expansion across the Atlantic. Through voyages of exploration the
known world changed drastically- and with it, the outlook of Europeans.

How to Read the Calendar:

Page Numbers: Pages listed will be discussed on that date!

SG = Study Guide Questions are due on the date they appear.
PS: Primary Source. This is your Western Civilization Primary Source Book. If you have NOT been given
specific questions to answer, answer the Consider Questions at the beginning of the assigned reading.

Summer
Assignments Due
Sept 6 7 8 9 10
THE Greek Philosophers CH 13 HW #2
Labor Day Holiday Chapter 12 MC RENAISSANCE Reading &
Test and Short Ch. 13 HW #1 Questions
Answer Questions (Blackboard)
Print and Bring to
Class Italian Wars
Timeline

13 14 15 16 17
CH 13 HW #3 CH 13 HW #4 CH 13 HW #5 Renaissance CH 13 HW #6
Primary Source Quest
(PS) p. 11 – 12 All reading & class
School of Athens work up through
Consider ? HW #5

More calendar ………………… on next page.

 20 21 22 23 24
New Monarch THE CH 14 HW #2 CH 14 HW #3 New Monarchs
Power Paragraph REFORMATION Quiz
The Prince PS CH 14 HW #4
(see Blackboard CH 14 HW #1
for both!)
27 28 29 30 OCT. 1
RELIGIOUS WARS CH 15 HW #2 CH 15 HW #3
CH 14 HW #5 CH 14 HW #6 AND EXPANSION (and EC)

Reformation CH 15 HW #1 Bring Primary

Causes/Results Source Book to
QUIZ Class Today!

4 5 6 7 8

CH 15 HW #4 CH 15 HW #5 TEST REVIEW UNIT I UNIT I

Print out IN CLASS & M.C. TEST ESSAY TEST
Of Cannibals and TUTORIAL
bring to class!