IMPORTANT TERMS

Renaissance:
A French word meaning rebirth.

Renaissance man:
A person with many interests and skills.

Documents of Indulgences:
A document issued by the church which guaranteed a written
promise to absolve the holder of all his sins.

Humanism:
A movement which gave priority to present life rather than life
thereafter.

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 Q 1. What do you mean by Renaissance? From where did it start?
Ans. The meaning of Renaissance is rebirth. It is a French word. It gave a
new dimension to art and culture and created awareness among the
people. It started from Italy.

Q 2. Who made the first printing press?

Ans. Johannes Gutenberg made the first printing press.

Q 3. Who was 'Renaissance Man'?

Ans. The term 'Renaissance Man' stood for the person who had interest in
various fields, skills and innovations. Many individuals of the
Renaissance period had deep interests in art and culture.

Q 4. Mention a few reasons that were responsible for the emergence of

Renaissance.
Ans. Following reasons were responsible for the emergence of
Renaissance:
(i) Emergence of middle class.
(ii) Growth of printing press and literature.
(iii) Fall of feudalism.

Q 5. What was the status of women in business families?

Ans. In business families, the women used to co-operate with their
husbands. They looked after the business because their husbands
were away from work.

Q 6. Name a few who played a crucial role in bringing Renaissance

movement.
Ans. (a) Dante (b) Erasmus
(c) Petrarch (d) Thomas moore

Q 7. Who was Martin Luther?

Ans. Martin Luther was one of the greatest exponents of the reformation
of Catholic Church. He vehemently opposed the excesses of the
church.

Q 8. How did the invention of printing press prove a deciding factor

for the Renaissance movement?
(i) It made people aware of new literature.
(ii) It played an important role in awakening of people.
(iii) It provided intellectual knowledge.

Q 9. Who was Michelangelo?

Ans. Michelangelo was a great artist of Renaissance. "The Fall of the Man"
and "The Last Judgement" are considered to be the masterpieces of
art throughout the world. His paintings gave deep interpretation to
human life and humanity.

Q 10. Who was Ibn Rushd?

Ans. Ibn Rushd was the philosopher of Spain. He made an attempt to
resolve the differences between philosophical knowledge and
religious beliefs.

Q 11. What had the students in universities to do for prior to the

starting of printing?
Ans. Before the start of printing, the students had to read a few hand
written copies or texts of manuscript. It was very difficult to make
available every student a copy of that text.

Q 12. Who was Andreas Vaselius?

Ans. Andreas Vaselius (1514-64) was a professor of medicine in Padua
University. He dissected the human body. It led to the beginning of
modern physiology.

Q 13. What do you understand by realism?

Ans. Anatomy, physics, geometry and a sense of beautification gave a
new form to Italian art. Later on, it came to be known as realism.

Q 14. What was the name of the book composed by Jacob?

Ans. The Civilisation of the Renaissance in Italy.

Q 15. When was Humanism adopted in curriculum of the Universities

in Italy?
Ans. Humanism was adopted in curriculum of the universities in Italy
during 14th century.

Q 16. What do you understand by classical architecture?

Ans. During the period, the Roman history was read and the remains were
dug up by archaeologists. It inspired a new style of architecture that
was revival of the imperial Roman style. It was called classical
architecture.
Q 17. Who was Thomas moore?
Ans. Thomas Moore was a great writer of England. Utopia' was his literary
masterpiece.

Q 18. What do you know about Ptolemy's 'Almagest'?

Ans. Ptolemy's Almagest was a work on astronomy. It was written in
Greek before 140CE Later it was translated into Arabic.

Q 19. Write any two features of humanist thought.

Ans. Two features of humanist thought were:
(i) To encourage dignity of humans beings.
(ii) Freedom of human life from control of religion.

Q 20. 'All men are bad and ever ready to display their vicious nature'.
Who said this and Why?
Ans. It was said by Machiavelli. He was of the opinion that human desires
are insatiable and he was motivated to face every fair and unfair
means to meet them.

Q 21. What kind of impression do you get about the status of women in
business families?
Ans. Women were very supportive. They co-operated their husbands in
every bit of business. In families of merchants and bankers, wives
looked after the business when the male members were away on
work.

Q 22. What were the thoughts of Balthasar Castiglione?

Ans. Balthasar Castiglione was an author and diplomat. She wrote a book
named, "The Courtier in which she defined the potentials of men
and women and suggested women to bear certain delicate
tenderness with an air of feminine sweetness in all their gestures
and actions whatever they do.

Q 23. What was the the view of German reformers in regards to

Salvation?
Ans. According to German reformers, salvation can be attained only
when all kinds of social oppression is ended. They opined that God
has created all people equal and they were not supposed to pay
taxes and had the right to choose their priests.
Q 24. What was the view of the Christians about the earth?
Ans. The Christians believed that the earth was at the centre of universe
around which moved the celestial planets. It was a sinful place. The
earth became immobile because of the burden of sin.

Q 25. What was the declaration of Copernicus about the earth?

Ans. The Christian society believed that the earth was at the centre of
universe. But Copernicus rebutted this belief and told that the earth
including all the other heavenly bodies rotate round the sun.

Q 26. What was the concept of Humanism?

Ans. Humanism laid stress on the importance of man and his sentiments
rather than the religious views. The worldly problems of man should
be solved first then men should think about God.

Q 27. Who pronounded the theory of earth as part of solar system?

Ans. Johannes Kepler propounded this theory. Kepler in his
Cosmographical Mystery demonstrated that the planets move
around the sun not in circle but in ellipses.

Q 28. Who was the leader of the Protestant Reformation Movement?

What were its chief gospels?
Ans. Martin Luther was the leader of the Protestant Reformation
Movement. Its chief gospels were the following.
• A person is not required to be priest in order to establish contact
with God.
• It is faith that guides people to the right path and entry into
Heaven that is salvation.

Q 29. Define 'Document of Indulgences'

Ans. The church issued 'Document of Indulgences'. The church opined
that these documents could free man from the burden of the sins
that he had committed. By selling these documents, the church was
earning money.

Q 30. What virtues were equally necessary for both men and women as
per Castiglione?
Ans. As per Castiglione, the following virtues were equally necessary for
men and women.
• To shun affection
 • To be naturally graceful
• To be naturally well mannered
• To be clever and prudent
• To be neither proud, envious nor evil tongued

Q 31. Which factors took Italian cities and courts beyond the World?
Ans. Following factors took the cities and the courts of Italy beyond the
world:
• Trade and travel
• Military conquests
• Diplomatic contacts

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 Q 1. Mention a few characteristics of Venice and Genoa cities.
Ans. Characteristics of Venice and Genoa cities:
(i) These were independent states.
(ii) Both were different from the parts of the European cities.
(iii) Both these cities were governed by an assistance from wealthy
merchants and bankers.
(iv) Ideas of citizens sprout on surface in these cities.

Q 2. Which factors were responsible for the widening of European skills?

Ans. Following factors were responsible for the widening of European
skills:
• Archaeological discoveries
• New technologies of navigation
• Classical consideration of Rome and Greece
• Expansion of Islam and the Mongol conquesta
• Opportunity to learn from India, Arabia, Iran, Central Asia and China

Q 3. Do you think that the Renaissance started a new age?

Ans. Undoubtedly, it can be said that the Renaissance started a new age.
The reasons are as follows:
(i) The Renaissance broke the feudal bonds and established nation-
 states.
(ii) Before the Renaissance period, the church was the supreme
authority. People had complete faith in the authority of the church.
But in the Renaissance period, rational thinking and logical thought
were dominant.
(iii) It brought about new ideologies in art and literature. Art and
literature began to prosper and reached at its glory. Intellectuals and
philosophers attacked on the social norms of the society through
their writings. Many painters showed the evils of society through
their paintings.

Q 4. Enlist the names of women intellectually creative during the

period of Renaissance in Europe.
Ans. The women like Cassandra Fedele and Isabella d'Este were educated
in Latin and Greek. Fedele proved that woman can also become a
humanist scholar and requested every woman to acquire humanist
education. She said, "Even though the study of letters promises and
offers no reward for women and no dignity, every woman ought to
seek and embrace these studies". Her writings brought into focus the
general regard for education in that age.
 Another lady Isabella d'Este ruled the state while her husband was
absent and the court of Mantua was famed for its intellectual
brilliance. Women's writings revealed their conviction that they
should have economic power, property and education to achieve an
identity in the male dominated world.

Q 5. Why did the movement break out against the Catholic Church?
Ans. The movement broke out against the Catholic Church due to the
following reasons:
• The Catholics were closely related with the king and power for
many centuries.
• They preferred a life full of luxury.
• Their life was completely different from common man.
• The Catholics were regarded more as the representatives of king
than God as they had the power of extracting taxes.
• Because of such powers, they became unscrupulous which finally
led to revolt by common man.

Q 6. Which factors led to voyages discoveries?

Ans. Following factors led to the voyages discoveries:
• Motive of enslaving people
• Encouragement to trade and commerce which led to earning
money
• Desire to earn name and fame

Q 7. Which factors indicate success of nation-states?

Ans. The following points indicate the success of nation-states:
• It brought an end to all forms of slavery.
• New ideas emerged.
• There was much progress in the field of agriculture, industry and
trade.
• It was responsible for the establishment of constitutional form of
government in many countries.
• Rise of educated people, i.e. intellectual middle class.

Q 8. The humanists made distinction between middle age and modern

age. How?
Ans. The humanists opined that after the collapse of Roman empire, the
dark age had begun. Later on, scholars followed them and assumed
that a new age had begun in Europe from 14th century. After the
fall of Roman empire, they used the term "Middle Age' for one
 thousand years. They argued that the church had complete
control over the people. The period of Modern age started from
15th century.

Q 9. What was the view of Leon Batista Alberti on architect?

Ans. According to Alberti, an architect was a professional who
beautifully fixed or assembled the parts of architecture and
amassed bodies by the varied skilled and unskilled persons. The
same is used by mankind for shelter. His expertise in his work
made them immortal.

Q 10. What did William Tyndate say in favour of Protestantism?

Ans. William Tyndate said that clergy had forged the process, order
and meaning of the ancient texts particularly because it was in
Greek and Latin, not accessible to the common man. It was with a
view to maintain their authority above the king and even above
God himself. William Tyndate even intended to translate the Bible
in mother tongue in order to lead the mass with real light.

Q 11. What was the contribution of Galileo?

Ans. It was Galileo who established knowledge distinct from belief.
Galileo told that knowledge is based on observation and
experiment. He further told that scientific process is required to
know the things in their real forms. He also told that beliefs are
based on hearsay, myth, concoction and conjecture which is
always untrue.

Q 12. Discuss the important changes that took place during

Renaissance
Ans. The important changes that took place during Renaissance was
the separation of private and public spheres of life. According to
this change, public sphere was meant by the area of Government
and of formal religion while private sphere was confined to the
family and personal religion. This way, a man was supposed not to
be simply a member of one of the three orders but he was also a
person in his own right. Later on it brought the sense of equal
political rights to all individuals.

Q 13. Write a note on the following:

(i) Spirit of Inquiry (ii) Spirit of Humanism
 (i) Spirit of Inquiry: It developed scientific ideas among the people
and they abandoned the supersitious beliefs and rituals that
sustained in the entire society. It paved way for new invention
which changed the way of life.
(ii) Spirit of Humanism: It is also one of the significant features of
Renaissance Writers of this age gave top priority to matters
relating to the life of men and laid emphasis on human welfare.
Humanism supported freedom to individual and criticised the
unjust restriction imposed on people by religion.

Q 14. What was Counter Reformation Movement?

Ans. Counter Reformation Movement came into being as a result of the
Reformation movement. Many defects had come into Catholicism
but the Roman Catholic Church did not pay heed to it. That is why
this movement was spreading rapidly. According to the Counter
Reformation, the Catholic Church tried to reform itself of some of
ita objectionable practices. For example, now the Bishops were
appointed on the basis of ability.

Q 15. Italian towns were the first to experience the ideas of Humanism.
Why?
Ans. A large number of classics were composed by the Roman and
Greek scholars. Due to lack of education, these books remained
unread. But during thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, education
spread in Italy. After the spread of education these books were
translated. These books introduced humanistic views to the
people of Italy. Subjects of humanism started to be taught in
schools and colleges of Italy. Anthropology, natural science,
astronomy, medicine and mathematics fell under the category of
this subject. These were the reasons responsible for Italian towns
to experience the ideas of humanism first.

Q 16. What was the political system that emerged in nation-states?

Ans. King was the supreme authority. He was considered to be the
representative of God on the earth. The king was free from the
intervention of pope and the feudal lords. The powerful
monarchies had strong courts of appeal. The courts could
challenge and condemn the decisions of the feudal lords. The rich
middle classes financed, supported and strengthened the king.

Q 17. What were the effects of Glorious Revolution?

Ans. Glorious Revolution occurred in England in 1688. Following were
the effects of the
Glorious Revolution:
(a) It ended the despotic rule of the Stuart King.
(b) It resulted in the formation of nation-state in England.
(c) It laid down the foundation of the independent judiciary.
(d) It established democracy.
(e) It marked the victory of Protestants.

Q 18. Nation-states marked a step forward in man's progress. Discuss.

Ans. Emergence of nation-states established humanism. The nation-
states also struck a death blow to the feudal system. These states
led the people on their way to social. economic and political
growth. They united the people belonging to a common culture.
These states were able to promote the spirit of nationalism by
releasing their people from the clutches of the Pope and the
priests.

Q 19. Write the contribution of Leonardo-da-Vinci.

Ans. Leonardo-da-Vinci was a great artist of Italy. He was very talented.
Vinci was a poet, singer, painter, sculptor, philosopher, scientist
and engineer. He knew many languages. During Renaissance
period, he painted many pictures. 'Mona Lisa' and 'The Last
Supper' are his famous paintings. These paintings are still admired
throughout the world.

Q 20. Discuss the underlying principles of presumption constituting

independent city states in Italy.
Ans. The government in those city states was of democratic type
whereas government of Venice city was republican. Some others
were court cities ruled by princess. Underlying principles of
constituting these city-states can be summed up as under:
(i) It was an Institute of Commonwealth. It was the supreme authority
of city-states through the Council.
(ii) There was a Council constituted by members, all gentleman of the
city who had attained the age of 25 years.

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 Q 1. Discuss the different scientific aspects reflected in the works of
sixteenth century Italian artists.
Ans. Following facts reflect the different scientific aspects in the works
of Italian artists:
(i) Andreas Vesalius (1514-64), a Belgian and a professor of medicine at
the university of Padua was the first to dissect human body. This
was the beginning of modern physiology. The artists went to the
laboratories and studied skeletons there. They started working once
they learnt the body structure of human beings.
(ii) Fragments of art discovered from the ruins of Roman Empire,
became helpful to the Italian artists as perfectly proportioned men
and women were sculpted there. On the basis of this study, one of
the sculptors Donatello made life like statues in 1416.
(iii) Leonardo da Vinci was a painter and artist. He painted Mona Lisa
and The Last Supper. His self-portrait is vibrant and catchy.
(iv) Scientific taste in arts like sculptures naturally had to emerge life-
like vibrancy in the artefacts.

Q 2. What were the demerits of the nation-states?

Ans. 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 interference, ie political or
religious. Following were the demerits of the nation-states:
• Attitude of King: The king was the supreme authority. Being
despotic, their self-interest was supreme. The Pope and feudal lords
could not force them to work in the interests of the state and its
people.
• National Interest: States became self-interested and individualistic
after the creation of nation-states. International interests were
ignored. An environment of animosity also appeared because of the
clash of interests of different nation-states.
• Feeling of Selfishness: There developed a feeling of selfishness
among the people. This resulted in the feeling of hatred in the minds
of people for other nation-states.

Q 3. Describe the changes brought by the Renaissance in the

contemporary life of the people.
Ans. Renaissance brought the following changes in the contemporary life
of the people:
(i) Old age superstitions and social evils came to an end.
 (ii) New ideas and scientific beliefs began to gain much importance.
(iii) It also laid emphasis on humanism.
(iv) People began to discard old values.
(v) It inspired the contemporary writers and philosophers.
(vi) Many universities were established to provide education.
(vii) Education and knowledge began to spread quickly.

Q 4. How did the Italian culture revive after the fall of Western Roman
empire?
Ans. There were some changes that took place after the fall of Western
Roman empire These changes revived the culture of Italy. After the
fall of Western Roman empire, political and cultural centres in Italy
were destroyed. There was no unified government at that time.
Italy was a weak and divided country. Pope was sovereign in his
own state but not quite strong in European politics.
Regions of Western Europe were reshaped by feudal relations.
These regions were unified under the Latin church. The Byzantine
empire brought changes in Eastern Europe. A common civilization
was being created by Islam in the west. The above-mentioned
changes were responsible for bringing about the revival of Italian
culture.

Q 5. The seventeenth century Europeans witnessed the world as

different. Explain.
Ans. Europeans witnessed the world different due to the following
reasons.
• A distinct urban culture was developed. People living in towns
started thinking as more civlilised than rural people.
• Towns started to grow in many European cities.
• Florence, Venice and Rome were the main towns which became
centres of art and learning.
• The rich and aristocratic people patronised artists and writers.
• Invention of printing press made books available to many people.
• People began contrasting their modern world with the ancient one
of the Greeks and Romans. This was the beginning of the
development of a sense of history in Europe.

Q 6. What were the causes of Renaissance in Western Europe?

Ans. Following were the main causes of Renaissance in Western Europe:
• The Crusades: Many fanatic lords and barons died during the
 crusades. Besides this, people came in contact with the developed
culture of the Arabs. The new ideas inspired them to think freely.
They started learning about the superstitions and narrow
mindedness which proved helpful in bringing Renaissance.
• Spread of Islam: During the period of the Middle Ages, Islam
spread rapidly. Constantinople was conquered by Turks in
1493.This resulted in the fleeing of most of the Christians from
Constantinople to Italy and some other places. They spread among
the people the spirit of reasoning and free thinking. All these led to
the Renaissance.
• Emergence of cities and towns: Growth of free cities took place
due to the decline of feudalism. In these cities, trade, commerce
and industry grew quite rapidly. The trading class became rich.
They did some welfare works also. They set up many schools and
colleges.

Q 7. What were the main characteristics of Renaissance?

Ans. The meaning of Renaissance is rebirth. Renaissance resulted in
coming out of nation- states out of darkness of medieval ages.
Because of Renaissance, these nation-states saw the light of
modern era. Men became rational and scientific in their approach.
New ideas and style came into prominence.
The main characteristics of Renaissance are as follows:
• Cities of Italy emerged as the first centre of the Renaissance.
• Architecture and literature developed.
• A new style came into prominence.
• New towns came into existence.
• Humanism, free thinking and reasoning emerged.
• Men became rational and scientific in their approach.

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 P A S S AGE BASED QUES T I O N S
Q 1. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows:

Niccolo Machiavelli wrote about human nature in the fifteenth

chapter of his book. The Prince (1513),
So, leaving aside imaginary things, and referring only to those which
truly exist, I say that whenever men are discussed (and especially
princes, who are more exposed to view), they are noted for various
qualities which earn them either praise or condemnation. Some, for
example, are held to be generous, and others miserly. Some are held
to be benefactors, others are called grasping: some cruel, some
compassionate; one man faithless, another faithful; one man
effeminate and cowardly, another fierce and courageous; one man
courteous, another proud; one man lascivious, another pure; one
guileless, another crafty: one stubborn, another flexible; one grave,
another frivolous; one religious, another sceptical; and so forth.
Machiavelli believed that 'all men are bad and ever ready to display
their vicious nature partly because of the fact that human desires
are insatiable'. The most powerful motive Machiavelli saw as the
incentive for every human action is self-interest.

QUESTIONS
(i) Who was Niccolo Machiavelli?
(ii) Why was he famous for?
(iii) What did Niccolo Machiavelli believe in?

ANSWERS
(i) Niccolo Machiavelli was a famous historian of Florence. He is
 regarded as the Father of the Modern Political Science.
(ii) Machiavelli wrote "The Prince' in 1513. In it, he described the
 political problems of that period which Italy had to face. He also laid
the principles of administration.
(iii) He believed that all men are bad and ever ready to display their
vicious nature partly because of the fact that human desires are
insatiable. The most powerful motive for every action is self-interest.

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Q 2. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows:

Giovanni Pico della Mirandola (1463-94), a humanist of Florence,

wrote on the importance of debate in On the Dignity of Man (1486).
'For [Plato and Aristotle] it was certain that, for the attainment of
the knowledge of truth they were always seeking for themselves,
nothing is better than to attend as often as possible the exercise of
debate. For just as bodily energy is strengthened by gymnastic
exercise, so beyond doubt in this wrestling-place of letters, as it
were, energy of mind becomes far stronger and more vigorous.'

QUESTIONS
(i) What do you know about Giovanni Pico della Mirandola? What did
he write?
(ii) What did he say about the importance of debate in 'On the
Dignity of Man"?
(iii) Name the two spheres in which Renaissance brought about
revolutionary changes.

ANSWERS
(i) Giovanni Pico della Mirandola was an Italian Renaissance
philosopher. He wrote on the importance of debate in 'On the
Dignity of Man'. At the age of 23, he proposed to defend religions,
philosophy, natural philosophy and magic against all the outcomes
 about which he had written a famous book "On the Dignity of Man."
(ii) He discussed the importance of debate in "On the 'Dignity of Man'.
For Plato and Aristotle, it was certain that, for the attainment of the
knowledge of truth they were always seeking for themselves,
 nothing is better than to attend as often as possible the exercise of
debate.
(iii) The two spheres in which Renaissance brought about revolutionary
changes were:
(a) Social sphere of life in Europe
(b) Political sphere of life in Europe

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 MAP SKILLS
Q 1. On the map, mark and locate the following Italian States. Rome,
Venice, Padua, Genoa, Mantua and Florence.

Ans.

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