History Learning Activity

The word “renaissance” means reformation. It is usually used

to refer to the period of fervent “rebirth” in the fields of art,
culture, literature, science, and politics.
To understand why the renaissance happened, we must first
understand the conditions of Europe at the time. Europe was
in the medieval period, which is also called “the dark ages”. It
had earned this title due to the amount of inactivity during this
period. There were no notable scientific achievements, great
leaders or empires, nor any great advances in art and culture.
During this time, feudalism was prevalent, which was known
for oppression of the lower class, which made up the majority.
All these causes created famine, drought, pandemics, and
major mistreatment and oppression of the lower class.
This all set the stage for a major reformation. This
renaissance started in Florence, Italy. Florence at the time was
ruled by the Medici Family. They used there economic and
political influence to spread ideas of humanism and reform all
over Italy, this earned the country the term “cradle of the
renaissance”.
One key challenge which opposed the spread of the
renaissance was the non-availability of information to the key
and essential lower class. In the end, two main mediums were
used to get information out to the people. The first was the use
of art, literature, and sculpture, done by great artists such as
Leonardo Da Vinci, Shakespeare, Michelangelo, Rafael, and
Donatello. The second was the invention of the printing press,
which allowed for the creation of ideals such as free press.
Through these mediums, ideas of humanism and the spirit of
inquiry and discovery were propagated. This led to the people
for the first time asking questions about what they were doing
and who they were following. This led to more people learning
how to read and write, and also helped many now great and
renowned people to reach their stature. The renaissance also
led to major discoveries in science, such as the telescope,
eyeglasses, and of course, the scientific method, which would
lay the foundation for all future science discoveries.
Some Europeans took to the seas to start exploring the world
and what was beyond their continent. This period was known
as the Age of Discovery, during which several important
discoveries were made. Continents and major regions such as
the Americas, India, and the Far East were discovered.
In the spirit of enquiry, we must also question the accuracy of
modern-day information about the renaissance. Despite taking
place in the 15th-16th century, the renaissance was only first
written about in 1855, when Jules Michelet wrote about it in
his book “The History of France.”. One glaring issue in
Michelet’s books was that he only focused on the cultural
flowering of Europe during this time, not the trade, finance, or
finance.
During this time, some people started questioning the catholic
church and the pope, one of these people was Martin Luther, a
German saint, and he would eventually lead Europe into a time
known as the reformation, in which people questioned the
ideals and practices of the catholic church and separated
themselves into a new group, the protestants.

St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, it was largely inspired by the

renaissance
William Shakespeare, who wrote many Leonardo Da
Vinci’s Mona Lisa
great stories

The Reformation
At the dawn of the 16th century, the Catholic Church, once a
beacon of spiritual guidance, found itself mired in a crisis of
faith and authority. Deep-rooted corruption, political intrigue,
and a growing disconnect from the core tenets of Christianity
had eroded its moral foundation. The sale of indulgences, a
practice whereby individuals could purchase forgiveness for
sins, epitomized the Church's commercialization of salvation.
Amidst this spiritual decay, a German monk named Martin
Luther emerged as a catalyst for radical change. Inspired by
the teachings of the Bible, Luther challenged the Church's
authority and its distorted interpretation of Scripture. Unlike
his predecessors, Luther possessed a powerful tool: the
printing press. This revolutionary technology allowed him to
disseminate his ideas widely, bypassing the Church's
censorship and reaching a mass audience.
On October 31, 1517, Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to
the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. These
theses, a scathing critique of the Church's practices, ignited a
firestorm of controversy. Luther's arguments, grounded in
biblical principles, resonated with many who were
disillusioned with the Church's corruption.
The printing press played a pivotal role in amplifying Luther's
message. His works, such as the German translation of the
Bible, were rapidly printed and distributed throughout Europe.
This accessibility to the Word of God empowered individuals to
interpret Scripture for themselves, challenging the Church's
monopoly on religious truth.
Luther's teachings, along with the ideas of other reformers like
John Calvin and Ulrich Zwingli, gave birth to the Protestant
Reformation. This movement sparked a religious revolution
that reshaped the course of European history. The Protestant
Reformation led to the establishment of new denominations,
the decline of papal authority, and the rise of nation-states.
The impact of the Reformation extended far beyond religious
matters. It fostered intellectual and cultural renewal, inspiring
scientific inquiry, artistic expression, and political thought. The
Protestant emphasis on education and literacy contributed to
the development of modern society.
While the Reformation brought about significant positive
change, it also led to religious conflict and persecution. The
Thirty Years' War, one of the most destructive wars in
European history, was a direct consequence of religious
divisions.
Despite its tumultuous beginnings, the Protestant Reformation
ultimately led to a more diverse and tolerant religious
landscape. It challenged the absolute authority of the Church
and paved the way for individual conscience and religious
freedom.
A picture of indulgences being sold at the church

Martin Luther, a German Monk.

 The Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution, a period of profound transformation,
marked a pivotal moment in human history. Originating in
Great Britain during the late 18th century, this era ushered in
a new age of technological innovation, economic growth, and
societal upheaval.
At the heart of the Industrial Revolution lay a series of
technological breakthroughs that fundamentally altered the
way goods were produced and consumed.
The invention of the steam engine, a marvel of engineering,
revolutionized transportation, manufacturing, and energy
production. Its application in railways and steamships
facilitated the movement of goods and people across vast
distances, shrinking the world and fostering global trade.
The textile industry was among the first to embrace these
technological advancements. The spinning jenny, the water
frame, and the power loom dramatically increased textile
production, lowering costs and making cloth more accessible
to the masses. This surge in textile manufacturing fuelled the
growth of other industries, such as iron and coal mining, as
well as the construction of factories and infrastructure.
As industries expanded and mechanized, the demand for
labour soared. This led to a mass migration of people from
rural areas to urban centres, giving rise to sprawling industrial
cities. These burgeoning cities, with their dense populations
and polluted environments, presented a host of social and
environmental challenges. Poor living conditions, disease, and
social unrest became commonplace.
The Industrial Revolution also had a profound impact on social
structures and labour relations. The rise of the factory system
led to the emergence of a new working class, often subjected
to harsh working conditions, long hours, and low wages. Child
labour became widespread, as children were employed in
factories and mines to supplement family income. However,
this period also witnessed the growth of labour unions, which
fought for workers' rights and better working conditions.
The Industrial Revolution was a double-edged sword. While it
brought about unprecedented prosperity and technological
advancement, it also exacerbated social inequalities and
environmental degradation. The exploitation of workers, the
pollution of waterways and air, and the displacement of
traditional livelihoods were some of the darker sides of this
transformative era.
In conclusion, the Industrial Revolution was a complex and
multifaceted phenomenon that reshaped the course of human
history. It laid the foundation for the modern world, driving
economic growth, technological innovation, and social change.
However, it also brought about significant challenges,
including social inequality, environmental degradation, and
urban poverty. Understanding the historical context and the
social, economic, and environmental impacts of this era is
crucial for addressing the challenges and seizing the
opportunities of the 21st century.

A Factory during the period of the industrial revolution