The West in the World, 4th Edition (Sherman)

Chapter 10: A New Spirit in the West

Critical Thinking Questions

  1. A New Spirit Emerges: Individualism, Realism, and Activism


  1. Why is the idea of the Renaissance considered controversial? What is a general definition of the Renaissance?


  2. What factors might explain why the Renaissance began in the Italian city-states?


  3. What were some of the defining characteristics of the Renaissance?


  4. What were the interests of the humanists? How were female humanists treated?


  5. What was the role of patrons and patronage during the Renaissance?


  6. How did the invention of the printing press facilitate the spread of Renaissance ideas?


  1. The Politics of Individual Effort


  1. What made the Italian city-states so prone to conflict?


  2. Why did individual effort become so important in this context?


  3. What problems did Florence confront in the fourteenth century?


  4. What made the republic of Venice more stable than Florence?


  5. How did the Visconti and Sforza families rule Milan?


  6. What was distinct about Naples' government?


  7. How did the popes rule the papal states? What advantages and disadvantages did they face?


  8. What were Machiavelli's ideas about diplomacy and political power?


  1. Individualism as Self-Interest: Life During the Renaissance


  1. Why was crime such a serious problem in Renaissance cities?


  2. How did Jews experience the growth of intolerance during this period?


  3. What were the different sources of economic prosperity for the Italian cities?


  4. Why was slavery reintroduced? Where did the slaves come from?


  5. What was the significance of the family during the Renaissance? How did the importance of family alliances impact women?


  6. How did people raise their children?


  1. An Age of Talent and Beauty: Renaissance Culture and Science


  1. What were the origins of the majority of Renaissance artists?


  2. What were the sources of inspiration for Renaissance architectural achievements?


  3. What did Michelangelo's David symbolize? How did the standing of sculpture as an art form change in this period?


  4. What new techniques did painters employ?


  5. What were pseudoscientific studies? How did science contribute to innovations in the visual arts?


  6. What were the numerous talents and interests of Leonardo da Vinci?


  1. Renaissance of the "New Monarchies" of the North: 1453 - 1640


  1. How did the Italian Renaissance spread to France?


  2. What was the impact of the Italian Renaissance in England? How were Renaissance ideas encouraged?


  3. What made London typical of Renaissance cities?


  4. How were Renaissance ideas incorporated by Shakespeare into his plays?


Sherman: The West in the World, Fourth Edition
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