Changing Cultural Traditions Short and Long Important Question Class 11 History Chapter-5 Book-Themes in World History

 

1. What changes took place in Europe between the fourteenth and the seventeenth centuries?

Answer:

• The number of cities grew and a new "urban culture" developed.

• Florence, Venice and Rome became centres of arts and learning.

• With the invention of printing, books became available in far-off cities.

• The Church's beliefs were proven wrong by scientists, and scientists began to understand the solar system.

• Every person could choose the religion according to his wish.

2. What was the Renaissance and what were its impacts?

Answer:

Renaissance means "rebirth", which refers to the changes in the fields of arts, literature, science and philosophy in Europe during the fourteenth to the seventeenth centuries.

In 1860, Burckhardt explained this in detail in his book "The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy."

The Renaissance gave birth to humanist culture, which challenged the dominance of the Church and encouraged the individual to think and make decisions independently.

3. What were the reasons for the revival of Italian cities?

Answer:

• After the fall of the Roman Empire, the power of the Italian cities had diminished, but they prospered again due to trade.

• Italy's coastal ports revived due to trade with the Byzantine Empire and Islamic countries.

• In the twelfth century, trade through the 'Silk Route' began, which boosted trade in Western Europe.

• The cities of Italy became independent city-states, among which were the republics of Florence and Venice.

4. How were universities established in Europe and what was the contribution of humanism in this?

Answer:

• The first universities were established in the cities of Italy.

• The universities of Padua and Bologna became major centres of jurisprudence.

• The growth of trade and commerce increased the demand for lawyers and notaries, making jurisprudence a popular subject.

• The humanists promoted religious education as well as the teaching of grammar, history, ethics and poetry.

5. Who were the 'Renaissance men'?

Answer:

• A 'Renaissance man' was a person who had interests and expertise in many fields.

• There were many scholars in the Renaissance, who were proficient in arts, science, diplomacy, and theology.

• Example: Leonardo da Vinci – painter, scientist, engineer and mathematician.

6. How was the periodisation of Europe viewed according to the humanistic view of history?

Answer:

The humanists divided the history of Europe into five parts:

• 5-14 centuries - Middle Ages

• 5-9 centuries - Dark Ages

• 9-11 centuries - Early Middle Ages

• 11-14 centuries - Late Middle Ages

• 15th century onwards - Modern Era

However, recent historians consider this periodisation to be inappropriate, as it negates the cultural richness of a period by calling it a 'Dark Age'.

7. What contribution did Arab scholars make during the Renaissance?

Answer:

• In the fourteenth century, the texts of Plato and Aristotle were translated by Arab scholars.

• Arab scientists made contributions to natural science, mathematics, astronomy, and medicine.

• Ibn-Sina (Avicenna) and Al-Razzi (Rhazes) contributed to medical science.

• Ibn Rushd (Averroes) combined philosophy and science.

8. How did Realism come into Renaissance art?

Answer:

• In 1416 Donatello created lifelike statues.

• Artists studied medicine to understand the structure of the human body.

• Three-dimensional (3D) images were created using geometry and optics.

• Oil painting techniques made the paintings more colourful and natural.

9. What impact did the development of printing art have on society?

Answer:

• The availability of printed books increased, which led to the spread of education.

• Now students are not dependent only on teachers' notes.

• Ideas and information began to circulate more quickly.

• By the end of the fifteenth century Renaissance culture spread throughout Europe.

10. How did the debates take place within Christianity?

Answer:

The Church was criticized for unnecessary rituals and taxes.

Church practices such as 'Indulgences' were opposed.

People started believing that man has been created free by God and he has the right to find happiness in his life.

11. What was the Protestant Reformation?

Answer:

• In 1517 a monk named Martin Luther launched a movement against the corruption in the church.

• He said that man does not need a priest to connect with God.

• This movement was called 'Protestant Reformation'.

• The churches of Germany and Switzerland broke their ties with the Pope and the Catholic Church.

12. What was the Catholic Reformation?

Answer:

The Church began its reforms and emphasized service to the poor and simplicity.

Ignatius Loyola founded an organization called 'Society of Jesus' in Spain and Italy.

The Jesuits contributed to education and social service.

13. What was the Copernican Revolution?

Answer:

• In Christianity it was believed that the Earth was the center of the universe.

• Nicolaus Copernicus proved that the Sun is the center of the universe and the Earth revolves around it.

• Kepler and Galileo further strengthened this theory.

• Galileo's treatise 'The Motion' proved the theory of gravity.

14. What impact did the Renaissance have on the status of women?

Answer:

• Women's education and participation in public life was limited.

• Only women from wealthy merchant families assisted in trade.

• Some women were intellectually active, such as Cassandra Fedele and Isabella d'Este.

15. What was the importance of Scientific Revolution?

Answer:

• Science now became based on observation and experiments.

• The Academy of Paris was founded in 1670 and the Royal Society of London in 1662.

• Newton's theory of gravitation gave a new direction to science.