Ap European History Exam Study Guide Units 1,2 &3 Questions and Answers

Italian Renaissance - ANSWER-The Italian Renaissance was the beginning of the Renaissance, a period of great cultural change and achievement in Europe that spanned the period from the end of the 13th century to about 1600. Jacob Burckhart - ANSWER-A 19th century historian who claimed the Renaissance period stood in distinct contrast to the Middle Ages city-states - ANSWER-Small independent states mostly in the central and northern Italian peninsula that caused much competition and were not politically unified between the 10th and 15th centuries. Signori - ANSWER-Despots who controlled much of Italy by 1300. Oligarchies - ANSWER-rule of merchant aristocracies commenda system - ANSWER-contract between merchant and "merchant-adventurer" who agreed to take goods to locations and return with the proceeds(for 1/3 of profit condotierri - ANSWER-mercenary generals of private armies who were hired by cities for military purposes Republic of Florence - ANSWER-(included Republic of Genoa) was the center of the Renaissance during the 14th and 15th centuries, was dominated by the Medici family Medici family - ANSWER-Dominated the Republic of Florence, were the bankers of the Catholic Church Cosimo de' Medici - ANSWER-() allied with other powerful families of Florence and became the unofficial ruler of the Republic of Florence, was the most powerful of the Medici rulers. Lorenzo de' Medici (the Magnificent) - ANSWER-the son of Cosimo de' Medici. Was a significant patron of the arts. Was damned to hell by Savanarola Duchy of Milan - ANSWER-ruled by the Sforza family after 1450. Was a major enemy of Venice and Florence until the Peace of Lodi in 1454 Sforza family - ANSWER-ruled the Duchy of Milan after 1450