Causation: Renaissance and Age of Discovery - AP European History

Which explorer is credited with discovering the Pacific Ocean?

Vasco Núñez de Balboa. Spanish explorer who crossed Panama and sighted the Pacific in 1513.
Which invention made long-distance sea travel more feasible during the Age of Discovery?

The caravel. Small, maneuverable Portuguese ship ideal for ocean exploration.
Which Renaissance figure is known for his heliocentric model of the universe?

Nicolaus Copernicus. Astronomer who proposed that Earth orbits the sun, not vice versa.
What was the societal impact of the Renaissance on the status of artists?

Elevated status of artists. Artists gained recognition as intellectuals rather than mere craftsmen.
Which empire was a dominant power in the Mediterranean during the Age of Discovery?

The Ottoman Empire. Controlled eastern trade routes, motivating Europeans to find alternatives.
What was the effect of the Renaissance on religious thought in Europe?

Encouraged individual interpretation. Humanism promoted personal faith over institutional religious authority.
What was the impact of the printing press on literacy rates in Europe?

Increased literacy rates. Mass-produced books made reading accessible to broader populations.
What was the primary goal of the Age of Discovery?

To find new trade routes. Europeans sought direct routes to Asia to bypass Ottoman middlemen.
Which Renaissance artist sculpted 'David' and painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling?

Michelangelo. Renaissance master sculptor and painter of religious masterpieces.
What architectural style is characterized by symmetry and use of columns during the Renaissance?

Classical architecture. Renaissance revival of Greek and Roman architectural principles and forms.
What was the main material sought by Europeans in the East Indies during the 15th century?

Spices. Valuable preservatives and flavorings that drove Asian trade expeditions.
Which treaty divided the New World between Spain and Portugal in 1494?

Treaty of Tordesillas. Papal treaty that divided newly discovered lands between two powers.
What term describes the exchange of goods and ideas between the Americas and Europe?

Columbian Exchange. Massive transfer of plants, animals, diseases, and cultures between continents.
Identify the city-state known as the birthplace of the Renaissance.

Florence. Wealthy banking families like the Medici fostered artistic and intellectual revival.
What was the predominant intellectual movement during the Renaissance?

Humanism. Emphasized human potential and classical learning over medieval scholasticism.
What innovation allowed for more accurate navigation during the Age of Discovery?

The astrolabe. Ancient Greek instrument improved for determining latitude at sea.
What was the primary language of scholarship during the Renaissance?

Latin. Universal scholarly language that connected European intellectual communities.
Which family was a prominent patron of the arts in Renaissance Florence?

The Medici family. Wealthy banking dynasty that funded artists like Michelangelo and Botticelli.
Name the Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire.

Hernán Cortés. Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztec Empire in Mexico.
Which artist is known for his work 'School of Athens'?

Raphael. High Renaissance painter known for harmonious compositions and idealized figures.
What is the term for the economic theory emphasizing national wealth through colonies?

Mercantilism. Economic policy promoting exports and accumulating precious metals through colonies.
Which Italian city was known for its glass production during the Renaissance?

Venice. Maritime trading republic famous for Murano glass and artistic innovation.
Identify the city that was the center of the Northern Renaissance.

Antwerp. Major Flemish trading center where Renaissance art and ideas flourished.
Which navigator first claimed Brazil for Portugal in 1500?

Pedro Álvares Cabral. Portuguese explorer who accidentally discovered Brazil en route to India.
What was the primary motivation for European exploration during the Age of Discovery?

Economic gain. Europeans sought wealth through trade routes, gold, and colonial resources.
Name the explorer who first reached India by sea, sailing around Africa.

Vasco da Gama. Portuguese explorer who opened the sea route to Asia in 1498.
What was the primary religious movement that began as a response to the Renaissance?

The Reformation. Protestant movement challenging Catholic authority, sparked by Renaissance humanism.
Which explorer is credited with discovering the New World in 1492?

Christopher Columbus. Genoese navigator whose voyages initiated European colonization of Americas.
Which economic innovation facilitated trade and exploration during the Renaissance?

Joint-stock companies. Allowed investors to pool resources for expensive trading ventures.
Who painted the 'Mona Lisa' and 'The Last Supper'?

Leonardo da Vinci. Master artist who epitomized Renaissance genius in art and science.
Name the Portuguese prince instrumental in promoting exploration during the 15th century.

Prince Henry the Navigator. Portuguese royal who established navigation schools and sponsored expeditions.
What invention by Johannes Gutenberg revolutionized information dissemination?

The printing press. Allowed mass production of books, spreading Renaissance ideas rapidly.
Which 16th-century council was convened to address the Reformation?

Council of Trent. Catholic Church's response to Protestant Reformation, clarifying doctrine.
Identify the painting technique developed during the Renaissance for realistic depth.

Linear perspective. Mathematical technique creating illusion of three-dimensional depth on flat surfaces.
Name the author of 'The Prince', a treatise on political power.

Niccolò Machiavelli. Political theorist who advocated pragmatic leadership over idealistic rule.
What was Christopher Columbus's intended destination on his 1492 voyage?

Asia. Columbus sought a western route to reach Asian spice markets.
Which period of European history is known for the rediscovery of classical antiquity?

The Renaissance. Cultural movement reviving Greek and Roman art, literature, and philosophy.

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