Exploring the Renaissance: A 5-Minute Overview

The Renaissance was a pivotal period in European history, marking a cultural rebirth from the 14th to 16th centuries. Originating in Italy, it emphasized humanism, individualism, and a revival of classical Greek and Roman arts and philosophy. The movement spread across Europe, fueled by the Medici family's patronage and the advent of printing. It led to significant advancements in literature, arts, and science, with figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Copernicus. The era saw the decline of feudalism, rise of capitalism, and the Protestant Reformation. Despite its decline due to political and religious pressures, the Renaissance's legacy of humanism and individualism continues to influence modern society.

What does the term 'Renaissance' mean?

• Revolution

• Revival

• Rebirth

• Reformation

Which city is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance?

• Rome

• Milan

• Venice

• Florence

Who was a famous backer of the Renaissance movement in Florence?

• The Este family

• The Sforza family

• The Medici family

• The Borgia family

Which invention helped spread Renaissance literature to the masses?

• The steam engine

• The telescope

• The compass

• The printing press

Which of the following is NOT a notable piece of Renaissance literature?

• Dante's Divine Comedy

• Machiavelli's Prince

• Shakespeare's Hamlet

• Homer's Iliad

What was a major societal change during the Renaissance?

• The rise of a capitalist market economy

• The decline of trade

• The rise of feudalism

• The fall of capitalism

Who led the Protestant Reformation?

• Ignatius of Loyola

• Henry VIII

• Martin Luther

• John Calvin

Who discovered the Americas in 1492?

• Christopher Columbus

• Vasco da Gama

• Ferdinand Magellan

• John Cabot

Which astronomer proposed the heliocentric model of the solar system?

• Galileo Galilei

• Nicolaus Copernicus

• Isaac Newton

• Johannes Kepler

What was one reason for the decline of the Renaissance?

• The rise of feudalism

• The spread of the Black Death

• The invasion of Italian territories

• The fall of Constantinople