Cultural and intellectual change
The Renaissance (1400-1600): Cultural and Intellectual Change
- Renaissance Humanism: Emphasised the value and agency of human beings, looked back to Greco-Roman culture, focusing on understanding human nature through study of philosophy, literature, and the arts.
- Artistic Evolution: Stark shift in artistic style from medieval to more realistic depictions, popularisation of perspective in artwork by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci or Michelangelo.
- Scientific Innovations: Pioneering contributions to astronomy, physics, and anatomy by men like Galileo Galilei and Andreas Vesalius.
- Literary Contributions: Proliferation of influential works from authors like William Shakespeare, enhancing the development of national languages and literature.
The Reformation and Counter-Reformation (1500-1650): Cultural and Intellectual Change
- Religious Schism: Divergence in religious thought leading to formation of various Protestant denominations, each with unique cultural practices and beliefs.
- Impact on Art and Literature: Reformation influenced expression in art and literature, with Protestant regions preferring simpler designs compared to intricate Catholic art.
- Intellectual Movements: Emergence of deeper questioning of church doctrine and papal authority, fostered by intellectuals like Martin Luther.
The Age of Exploration (1400-1700): Cultural and Intellectual Change
- Ethnocentric Views and Challenges: Initial ethnocentric views of colonisers challenged by diverse cultures, faiths, and social structures encountered in newly discovered lands.
- Knowledge Expansion: Enormous expansion in geographical, botanical, and ethnological knowledge due to travel and exploration.
- Food and Lifestyle Transformations: Introduction of new foods, animals, and plants from the Americas led to dramatic changes in European diets and agriculture.
The Scientific Revolution (1550-1700): Cultural and Intellectual Change
- Emergence of the Scientific Method: Establishment of empirical evidence and systematic experimentation as the basis for theory, a departure from prior reliance on religious doctrine.
- Decline of Aristotelian Physics: Breakdown of the medieval view of the universe, replaced by heliocentric model promoted by Copernicus, Galileo, and Kepler.
- Impact on Religion: Revolutionary scientific discoveries often clashed with religious dogma, leading to significant cultural conflict and change.