Modern era - Renaissance and Reformation

3 min read

The Renaissance :

  • cultural and intellectual movement
  • began in Italy
  • in the 14th cen
  • characterised by the renewed interest in Greek and Roman culture, art, lit. , philosophy
  • emphasised individualism, human potential, pursuit of knowledge

Causes:

  • Decline of feudalism
  • growth of trade and commerce
  • discovery of new scientific knowledge
  • invention of printing press

Events:

  • development of new artistic styles
  • rise of classical learning - greek and roman

Impact:

  • establishment of modern ideals like rationalism, human rights, democratic values
  • rise of humanism and individualism
  • transformation in art and lit
  • advancements in science

Key figures:

  • Leonardo da vinci
  • Michelangelo

The Reformation:

  • religious movement
  • began in 16th cenn
  • led to division of christianity into protestant and catholics

Causes:

  • corruption in catholic church
  • rise of nationalism
  • invention of printing press

Events:

NINETY FIVE THESIS:
  • in 1517
  • by Martin luther, german monk
  • criticised catholic church's practice of selling indulgences
    • Selling indulgences - a Catholic practice in the Middle Ages that involved the sale of a certificate that supposedly absolved the purchasers of past sins and released them from purgatory after death.
    • The Catholic Church defended this practice by arguing that it provided an opportunity for sinners to repent and receive forgiveness.
    • Critics claimed that the Church was exploiting people’s beliefs and that the certificates were not actually effective in absolving sins.
DIET OF WORMS:
  • in 1521
  • Martin was summoned
  • he refused to retract
  • lead to his excommunication
    • Excommunication: the action of officially excluding someone from participation in the sacraments and services of the Christian Church.
COUNCIL OF TRENT:
  • catholic church convened
  • in 1545
  • to address the issue raised by the reformists
  • reaffirmed the doctrines of catholics and implemented the reforms within the church
THIRTY YEARS WAR
  • 1618 - 1648
  • between protestant and catholic states
  • fought mainly on german soil in the holy roman empire

Impact:

  • division of christianity
  • birth of religious war due to schism (split or division between strongly opposed sections or parties, caused by differences in opinion or belief) in christianity
  • growth of individualism
  • stressed on personal belief and interpretation of scriptures

Key figures:

  • Martin Luther

Continuation:

  • the industrial revolution in England followed the footsteps of this
  • IR emphasised on human capabilities and quest for enlightenment

Imperialism:

"policy of exerting influence and expanding a nation's dominion through diplomacy or military force"

Types:

1. Colony:
  • entirely ruled by another country
2. Protectorate:
  • own govt but partly under the control of another country
3. Sphere of influence:
  • country exerting political and economic influence apart from its own territory
4. Economic imperialism:
  • controlled indirectly by a foreign business entity or economy of another country

Concept:

  • Territorial acquisition and dominance for economic and strategic advantage
  • Economic exploitation and resource control
  • Implementing policies to showcase the cultural superiority and assimilation
    • British formulating education policies in Bharat
  • Strategic advantage in geopolitics
    • Britain colonising Singapore

Imperialism and Industrial Revolution:

  • escalated demand for raw materials
    • cotton demand spiked in britain's industries
  • emergence of new markets for the surplus industry produced goods
  • infra advancements for economic gains
  • financial institutions backing imperial powers
    • HSBC financing trades in the colonies
  • Communication revolution
    • railways
    • telegraph lines - All red lines
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