Humanism and the Renaissance: A New Era in Europe
Humanism and the Renaissance
A new mentality emerged in 14th-century Italy, placing man at the center of the world. This humanism spread throughout Europe during the 15th century, culminating in the 16th-century Renaissance.
Characteristics of Humanism
- Exalted reason and freedom
- Inspired by Greco-Roman culture
- Interest in science and technical progress, fostering a new scientific spirit
- Use of vernacular languages (French, Spanish, Italian, etc.)
Erasmus of Rotterdam was the most prominent humanist. The
Read MoreThe Parthenon and Pergamon Altar: Ancient Greek Masterpieces
A) General Documentation: The Parthenon
1. Name:
Parthenon (Abode of the Virgin)
2. Architect:
Iktinos, with Callicrates as an assistant. Phidias oversaw the work and sculpted the reliefs.
3. Commissioner:
Pericles
4. Location:
Acropolis, Athens
5. Chronology:
447-438 BC
6. Dimensions:
31m x 69.5m x 13.72m (floor); Columns: 10.5m high, 1.8m diameter
7. Materials:
Pentelic marble
8. Wall Treatment:
Isodomic masonry
9. Construction System:
Post and lintel (arquitraved)
10. Beneficiary:
The city of Athens
B)
Read MoreThe Restoration in Spain: A Political History (1874-1898)
A New Political System
Spanish Conservatives were satisfied with the Restoration of the Bourbon dynasty because they expected the new monarchy to restore political stability and end any attempt at democratic and social revolution. Antonio Cánovas del Castillo was not seeking a return to the era of Isabel II, but a new political model that would overcome some of the endemic problems of liberalism: the partisan character and exclusion of moderates during the Elizabethan reign, military intervention
Read MoreFrom Ancien Régime to the USSR: A Historical Overview
Ancien Régime (16th-18th Centuries)
Characteristics:
- Estate-based society
- Agrarian economy focused on agriculture, livestock, and labor
- Growing importance of commerce
- Absolute monarchy
Society
- Nobility (high and low)
- Clergy (high and low)
- Third Estate (peasants, bourgeoisie, and commoners)
Domestic System
Artisans worked outside the control of guilds.
Enlightenment (18th Century)
Also known as the “Age of Reason,” this era saw philosophers critique traditional customs and privileges, emphasize reason and science,
Read MoreSpain and the Disaster of ’98: Loss of Empire
The End of an Era: Spain in 1898
A Europe at Peace, Spain Isolated
While Europe enjoyed a period of peace known as the Great Paz, Germany, under Chancellor Bismarck’s leadership and through strategic alliances with Austria, Russia, and Italy, held a prominent position on the continent. France navigated the Third Republic, and Great Britain basked in the glory of the Victorian era. Meanwhile, European powers focused on the conquest of Africa and Asia. The United States, having overcome its Civil
Read MoreThe Enlightenment and its Impact: A Historical Overview
The Enlightenment
The Enlightenment, an intellectual movement, spread across Europe and America during the 18th century, culminating in the publication of the Encyclopédie in France between 1751 and 1772. Key characteristics of the Enlightenment include:
- Emphasis on Renaissance anthropocentrism.
- Confidence in human reason, accepting only logical and rational explanations.
- Belief in progress and an optimistic view of the future.
- Advocacy for the right to happiness in this world, with rulers responsible