- Define and explain the reasons for the emergence of the Renaissance. Was the Renaissance truly a re-awakening? Or something truly unique?
Answer
The meaning of renaissance is ‘re-birth’. Renaissance, however, remained from 1350-1600. Renaissance emerged because of the secular hunger to discover the text, for introducing political and social change that can improve the conditions of the continent. The monasteries and the courts of Europe consisted of the old texts and manuscripts, but change in the views of scholar paved the way to huge reappraisal and reevaluation of classical work and this become possible because of the Renaissance. Moreover, Renaissance was truly a reawakening, because it lead to the renewal of the classical learning, and it comprised of most of the scholastic and legal studies that became popular in the Universities of Italy. The writer, architects, sculptors, and artists starts looking back to Roman as well as Greek times in order to seek motivation and ideas from the ancient writings or texts. Political and social changed was observed during renaissance due to the focus on rational and secular understanding of the universe that changed previous concept of the spiritual and religious understanding. It was an age of the transition that spread slowly in the north and west to France, Germany, Spain and England.
- The Catholic Church would remain powerful for many centuries after the Middle Ages, yet it weakened considerably between the years 1300-1500. Do you agree or disagree and why?
Answer
I agree with the fact that the Catholic Church enjoyed dominance for many years and then its power weakened between 1300 and 1500. It is because of the emergence of Renaissance during 1300-1500, people did not accepted old religious institutions that are based on the orthodox traditions and traditional methods of thinking. Further, the radial reformation of Protestants was authoritative that paved the way to the development of several political authorities. The radical reformers prompted revolts among the peasant classes and artisan of western and central Europe because the doctrine of church has not made significant inroads into the ideas and beliefs of the people belonging huge segment of European population. However, the radical reformers tried to transform the beliefs of folk and popular religion onto a latest version of the improved and modified Christianity that negotiate directly to the spiritual and worldly needs and requirements of the oppressed, which weakened the power of the Catholic Church. Moreover, the power of the Catholic Church weakened because instead of delivering the spiritual leadership and properly guiding and directing towards the rapid change, the church became preoccupied with its processes, administration staff, and revenue collection.
3. Explain why Europe, especially Western Europe, enjoyed a reawakening in the years roughly between 1000 and 1350.
Answer
Europe, particularly Western Europe got benefits from reawakening during 1000-1350 because of renaissance. Europe got freedom from the dominance and power of the feudal nobility and aristocracy of land. Rich merchants and aristocrats had to share their power and authority, and with the decline of their power the two groups had to make effort for the power based on the conflicting interests, beliefs, and outlooks. Further, the Western Europe got advantages from reawakening because the instability prevailing in the states due to the internal conflicts between the nobles and merchants declined. The states, however, managed to keep Holy Roman Empire as well as Papacy. Modern political thought and practice emerged, Republicanism was protected and Depotism succeeded. The class war between nobles and merchants lead to finding the solutions for the resolution of conflicts by adopting one-man rule. The famine, diseases, and the bad economic conditions also encouraged a shift to the despotism. For example, the continent was hit by the bubonic plague, and the citizens lost their confidence on the ability of the government to cope with such circumstances and emergencies, so new theories and policies emerged for protecting people and safeguarding liberty and republicanism.
4. Explain and analyze the reasons why a national monarchy emerged in England, and why it succeeded in state-building between roughly 1066 and 1300. Be sure to give specific examples.
Answer
A national monarch emerged in England in order to change the prevailing conditions of the state, where state was considered simply as a territory comprising of individuals speaking same language, considering themselves as the part of the community. Monarchy, however, emerged in order to form a dynasty, a unique political institution, or a national state that would use the system of taxes and war in order to harness the power and authority of nobility and state’s material resources so that they can be used for the betterment of all individuals living in the state. Moreover, the national monarchy became victorious in state building in 1066-1300 because the monarchs introduced such systems, and rules that paved the way to the growth of the entire state. For example, monarchs established certain rights and laws under which the state became completely inherited from one generation to another, which ultimately give birth to the dynasty. It became impossible for the West to become dominant on other land and people without having any backing that is facilitated by the European states. further, Monarch and their courts were the major players in the state formation process. They played an effective role in the development of the centralized government and absolutism. The King is, however, considered invincible under the absolutism. They established courts, which further formed the administration of justice for governing the laws, collection of taxes, formation of laws for publications of the books and regulations of the occupations.
