LL溫書室 · 文藝復興與宗教改革

Practice Exam Questions

Quick Reference (Key Notes from textbook)

Renaissance (14th‑17th century)

• Began in Italy, then spread across Europe. Means "rebirth" of Greek‑Roman civilisation.
• Why Italy: ① Prosperous Mediterranean trade after Crusades; ② Wealthy sponsors e.g. Medici family (Florence); ③ Autonomous city‑states with free‑thinking environment; ④ Surviving Greek‑Roman heritage, scholars fled from fallen Eastern Roman Empire (1453).
• Core spirit: Humanism — value human beings, focus on secular life, human feelings & individual achievement.
• Features:
  1. Emphasise humanism; art includes religious AND everyday human themes, realistic painting with perspective & shading.
  2. Revive classical Greek‑Roman culture (architecture, sculpture).
  3. Encourage personal striving & creativity.
  4. Dare to question old authority & Church ideas.
• Important people: Dante (Divine Comedy), Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo (David), Raphael (School of Athens), William Shakespeare.
• Gutenberg’s moveable‑type printing: cheaper books → speed‑up spread of Renaissance ideas.
• Impacts: Paved way for Reformation, Age of Exploration(new sea routes), Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment. Europe shifts from God‑centred to human‑centred.

Reformation (16th century)

• Causes: Church corruption (selling indulgences & church offices); European monarchs disliked Church owning land & interfering national politics.
• Key event: 1517 Martin Luther posted the Ninety‑five Theses in Germany → start of Reformation.
• Luther’s beliefs: Salvation by faith only; Bible is highest authority; ordinary people can communicate directly with God.
• Outcomes:
  1. Second major split of Christianity. Protestantism appears (Lutheranism, Calvinism, Anglican Church).
  2. Catholic Church carried out internal reforms.
  3. Political & economic power of Roman Catholic Church weakened across Europe.