THE MODERN AGE:
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
BEGINNING AND END
When did the Modern Age begin?
It began with the discovery of America in 1492 by Christopher
Columbus. The Catholic Kings had given him money to find a new route to the
East Indies. Instead, he discovered a new continent.
When did the Modern Age end?
It ended with the French Revolution in 1789.
SOCIETY AND ECONOMY
What was society like in the Modern Age?
It was divided into 3 groups:
-
Nobility (including the royal family, lords, ladies,
etc.)
-
Clergy (including church officials, bishops, priests,
etc.)
-
Commoners (including burghers, who lived in cities -
and peasants, who lived in the country)
What special privileges did the nobility and clergy have?
The nobility and clergy could govern and they didn’t have to
pay any taxes to the king. They also had their own special courts.
Which groups didn’t have any special privileges?
The commoners didn’t have any special privileges, and they had
to pay taxes. They included the burghers, who lived in cities, and the
peasants, who lived in the country.
Who were the burghers?
The burghers were commoners who lived in cities. They were a
new and important social and economic group. Some were rich, but others
weren’t. They included doctors, lawyers, shopkeepers and artisans.
Who were the peasants?
The peasants were commoners who lived and worked in the
countryside. They were the largest social group, and they were usually very
poor.
What economic changes took place?
The main economic activity was still agriculture, but
international commerce was growing fast and industrialisation was starting. The
first banks were created and the first factories were built.
POLITICS, RELIGION AND SCIENCE
Why did monarchs in the Modern Age have to collect so
much money in taxes?
European monarchs became more powerful. They unified and
expanded their territories. They created permanent armies, chose ambassadors
and diplomats, and developed organized administrations with civil servants.
They collected new taxes to pay for all of this.
This represented the beginning of modern states (a bit like our
central governments today).
Who was Martin Luther and what did he do?
Martin Luther was a German monk. In 1517, he published
criticisms of the Catholic church, which he considered corrupt. This was the
beginning of the “Protestant Reformation”. As a result, Christians divided into
Protestants and Catholics.
What was the Inquisition?
The Inquisition was a Catholic Institution that persecuted,
tortured and condemned people who didn’t agree with the Church or the Catholic
faith. In Spain, the Inquisition began in 1478 with the Catholic Monarchs,
Fernando and Isabela, and didn’t end until the early 19th century.
What invention made it possible for many more people to
access culture and education, and who invented it?
The printing press made it easier for people to share ideas
about science and culture, and even revolutionary ideas, such as Martin
Luther’s criticisms of the Catholic church. It was invented by Johannes
Gutenberg.
What do historians often call the 18th century, and why?
The 18th century is often called the “Enlightenment” (La
Ilustración) or the “Age of Reason” by
historians, because during this time, many scientific discoveries were made and
people began to emphasize reason and analysis. Enormous advances were made in
philosophy, mathematics, medicine, astronomy and physics.
Who carried out these scientific and humanistic advances: ?
Function of pulmonary circulation -
The Scientific method -
The Law of Gravity and Motion -
The description of the planets’ revolution around the sun -
The father of modern philosophy -
The father of modern ecology -
Function of pulmonary circulation - Miguel Servet
The Scientific method - Francis Bacon
The Law of Gravity and Motion - Isaac Newton
The description of the planets’ revolution around the sun -
Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler
The father of modern philosophy - Descartes
The father of modern ecology - Linnaeus
THE SPANISH MONARCHY
Who were the Catholic Kings, and what did they do?
The Catholic Kings were Fernando II of Aragón and Isabela I of
Castilla.
They increased their power and created a modern state with many
officials. They conquered many new territories, and gave money to Columbus for
his journey in 1492. They were intolerant of other religions, so they expelled
the Muslims and Jews, and started the Inquisition.
What dynasty ruled Spain in the 16th and 17th centuries?
Who were its most important monarchs, and what did they do?
The Habsburg dynasty, also known as the “House of Austria”,
ruled Spain in the 16th and 17th centuries. The most important Habsburg kings
were Carlos I and Felipe II, who dominated Europe and colonised and conquered
America. Felipe II also made Madrid the capital of the kingdom, and built the
monastery of El Escorial.
What Spanish kings belonged to the House of Austria
(Habsburg dynasty)? (in chronological order)
Carlos I, Felipe II, Felipe III, Felipe IV, Carlos II
What caused the War of Succession?
The War of Succession happened when the last Habsburg king,
Carlos II, died without an heir.
Who was king after the War of Succession? What dynasty
did he belong to, and what century did he rule in?
Felipe V became King of Spain after the War of Succession. He
was the first king of the Bourbon dynasty, and he ruled in the early 18th
century.
What dynasty did Felipe V, Felipe VI and Carlos III
belong to?
They belonged to the Bourbon dynasty.
Why was Carlos III an important king?
Carlos III was king during the Enlightenment (“Ilustración”),
and he started many plans to modernise Spain. He improved Spain’s roads and
highways, established Royal Factories to promote industry, built monuments,
created Royal Academies and the Botanical Garden, and many other things. He is
sometimes called “El Mejor Alcalde de Madrid” for all of the improvements he
made..
ART AND CULTURE
What artistic style was typical of the 15th and 16th
centuries, and what was it inspired in?
The Renaissance (“Renacimiento”) style was typical of the 15th
and 16th centuries.
It was inspired by ancient Greek and Roman art, and by new
knowledge of human anatomy and perspective.
Name 2 Renaissance artists and their most famous works.
Two famous Renaissance artists are Leonardo Da Vinci, who
painted the “Mona Lisa” and the “The Last Supper”, and Michelangelo, who
painted the Sistine Chapel and made the sculpture of “David”.
When was the Baroque style developed, and what was it
like?
The Baroque style was developed in the 17th century and the
first half of the 18th century. It used lots of curved lines, decorations and
dramatic effects, such as contrasts between light and dark areas.
What two styles were inspired by ancient Greek and Roman
art?
The Renaissance and Neoclassical styles.
ART AND LITERATURE IN SPAIN
Name an important writer from the beginning of the 16th
century.
Santa Teresa de Jesús and the poet Garcilaso de la Vega
Name an important 16th century painter in Spain.
El Greco
What period of time does the Spanish Golden Age (“Siglo
de Oro”) correspond to?
The Spanish Golden Age goes from the middle of the 16th century
to the end of the 17th century.
Name a great Spanish painter from the Golden Age, and one
from the 18th century.
Ribera, Murillo and Velázquez were all painters during the
Golden Age.
Goya was an important painter in the 18th century.
Name three writers from the Spanish Golden Age.
Quevedo, Góngora, Lope de Vega, Calderón de la Barca, Miguel de
Cervantes…
What important Spanish painter from the 16th century
painted “The Burial of the Count of Orgaz” (“El Entierro del Conde de Orgaz”)?
El Greco
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