Question

Discuss how Renaissance, Reformation and Geographical discoveries heralded the modern age?

Answer 1

• Renaissance:        

1. The Italian city-states were centres of cultural activities since the fourteenth century. With the coming of the scholars and artists from Constantinople there was a surge of enthusiasm and interest in studying classical literature and art of Greeks and Romans in the Italian city states.
2. The study of humanities became popular. Petrarch, Father of Humanism, Erasmus, the Prince among Humanists and many others highlighted the principle of Humanism.
3. Renaissance paintings and sculptures were realistic and naturalistic.
4. The advances in science were inspired by Ptolemy, Archimedes, Euclid and others. The curiosity kindled by the renaissance played a decisive role in the discovery of new land routes and remapping of the world.

• Reformation:

1. The critical thinking and inquisitive spirit of Renaissance humanism helped people question about the malpractices of the Catholic Church.
2. Martin Luther played a major role by introducing his her famous Ninety Five Theses.
3. He opposed the corruption of the Church, finally his reformation made him take a break from the Catholic Church and establish Protestant Church leading to Protestant
4. The Protestant Reformation posed a threat to the Catholic Church. This made the Church start a Counter Reformation.

• Geographical discoveries:

1. As a result of the discovery of new lands and new sea routes, the economic centre of Europe shifted from the Italian city states to Spain and Portugal.
2. Spanish discovery of the New World led to the conquest of Mexico and South America.
3. Many items were exchanged between America and Europe, but the deadly diseases led to the extinction of the natives in most parts of the America.
4. The mass extinction of the natives led to the import of slaves from Africa.
5. The Trans-Atlantic trade flourished.
6. The chief features of commercial revolution were the emergence of banking, joint-stock companies and growth of trade.