Explain the meaning of the following terms:

The Protestant Reformation, Roman Catholics, Counter-Reformation, Humanism, Heretic, Mercantilism, Nation-State, Gold, Glory and God and Absolutism. 


1. Protestant Reformation: This movement was started by a German clergyman Martin Luther against the corrupt practices of the Roman Catholic church in the 16th Century. As a result of this movement, Christianity was divided between the Roman Catholic and the Protestant Churches.

2. Counter-Reformation: This movement was started by the Roman Catholic Church to counter the effects of the Protestant Reformation, which was spreading very rapidly, is known a counter-Reformation. According to this movement, the Catholic Church tried to reform itself of some of its objectionable practices.

For example, now the Bishops were appointed on the basis of ability. This movement tried to recover the last influence of the Roman Church.


3. Humanism: It is a philosophy of life. It stressed the importance of man and his sentiments rather than the religious matters. During the Renaissance period, the influence of Humanism was much evident in art, science and literature.

The exponents of Humanism believed that the worldly problems of man should be solved first and then the man should think about God, Heaven etc.


4. Heretics: All those persons who criticised their corrupt and objectionable practices of the Roman Catholic Church were called 'Heretics'. They were heavily punished by the Pope.

Sometimes they were burnt alive. John Huss, a professor of Prague University was also declared 'Heretic' by the Pope and was burnt alive by his orders.

5. Mercantilism: It is a theory of economics which measured the wealth of a country according to a number of precious metals, particularly gold. The exponents of this theory insist that a country should export the maximum quantity of goods and should restrict its import in order to maintain the balance of trade and to increase her gold reserves.

6. Nation-States: The Nation-States were established in the Renaissance Period. These States were governed by a strong political ruler. These States used to keep themselves free from all kinds of foreign interference, political or religious.

The Nation-States used to have a common language and common philosophy. They were governed by a uniform Code of Laws.

7. Gold, Glory and God: During the end of the 15th and the beginning of the 16th centuries, the European nations had only three motives Gold, Glory and God. Most of the nations were after the material wealth i.e. Gold.

Some other nations were inspired to achieve Glory of being the discoverers of new lands or founders of new Empires. Still, there were some other nations who were inspired by the zeal of spreading their religion i.e. the message of God.

8. Absolutism: In the 16th century there was the emergence of the new political system which is known as absolutism or despotism. The European rulers, who believed in the divine rights of the King.


They said that they had got the power to rule directly from God. They preached that if the people disobeyed them, they would be disobeying God.



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How did the spread of Islam, the crusades and growth of cities help in bringing about the Renaissance in Western Europe?

1. Spread of Islam : During the Middle Ages, a new religion-Islam spread rapidly. In 1493 the Turks conquerred constantinaople. As a result most of the Christian scholars fled from Constantinople to Italy and some of other places.
They spread among the people the spirit of reasoning, enquiry and free thinking which led to the Renaissance Movement.

2. The Crusades : During the crusades many fanatic lords and barons had died. Moreover the people came in contact with the developed culture of the Arabs. The new ideas inspired them to think freely.
They started learning the superstitions and narrow mindedness which proved helpful in bringing the Renaissance.

3. Growth of Cities and Towns : The decline of feudalism promoted the growth of free cities where trade, commerce and industry grew quite rapidly. The trading class became rich and it set up several schools and colleges. The spread of learning struck at the roots of the superstitions.

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Which practices of the Roman Catholic Church and Churchmen of 15th and 16th centuries did the reformers objects to ?

1. They raised objection against the luxurious and immoral life of the Churchmen.


2. The reformers also objected the undesirable methods of extracting money from the common man.


3. They objected to the practice of selling the offices of the Church to inefficient, immoral and corrupt persons.


4. They protested the Pope's authority to raise such taxes and fees as would make the Pope and his Bishops to live in luxury.

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Describe changes that Renaissance brought about in the contemporary life of the people.


The Changes are: 

1. The age old superstitions and evil practices came to an end. The new ideas rational outlook and scientific beliefs were adopted by the people.


2. Renaissance preached humanism. It inspired the contemporary writers, artists and philosophers to take up man as their main subject.


3. People discarded the old values and adopted scientific outlook.


4. Many schools and colleges were established at various places. The education spread rapidly.

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Identify any four writers whose thoughts and works contributed to the origin of Renaissance.

1. Petrarch : He was a great poet and historian of Italy. He is regarded as the first among the 'Humanists'. He criticised the contemporary society and its system of education.

2. Dante : He was the greatest among the Renaissance poets. He also belonged to Italy. In his epic poem 'The Divine Comedy' the criticized the religious beliefs and practices of his age.

3. Thomas Moore : He was a great scholar of England. In his famous book 'Utopia' he ridiculed the malpractices and social evils of his times.

4. Erasmus: He was a great Dutch poet. In his famous work 'The Praise of Folly' he ridiculed the corrupt practices prevalent in the Church of his times.

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