Renaissance: Reformation - Age of Discovery

(Approximate Date) Literacy

1400

During the Renaissance, more people were becoming literate (thanks to schools and the printing press for greater access to materials), so more people began to read and critique the Bible. More people began to question the Catholic Church because they had the ability to find the contrasts between the Bible and the practices of the Church.

(Approximate Time) Humanism

1400

Humanistic thinking was fueled during the Renaissance, leading individuals to educate themselves and become more skeptical in the Church's practices. They depended on themselves to look into religious texts for reference rather than the Church alone, before breaking off altogether.

Summary

Period: 1400 to 1600

The Renaissance directly influenced the Reformation and Age of discovery due to the major increase in education and thinking, along with navigational advancements to make long distance trade more feasible.

Printing Press

1436

The printing press was invented during the Renaissance but also contributed to the Reformation because protests against the Church could be recorded and spread. Luther's words in particular were distributed and others congregated with him to initiate the Reformation.

(Approximate Time) Trade

1450

Trade had dramatically increased during the Renaissance, but nations were constantly looking for more efficient ways to travel than by land or the infamous Silk Road. Columbus, for example, was looking for a quicker route to India when he found the Americas, and many other discoveries followed.

Advancements in Ships

1451

Due to the vast increase of education and constructive thinking from the Renaissance, ships like the caravel were created and became widely used by European explorers. The ships could hold more cargo and travel further distances, contributing directly to the Age of Discovery.

Fall of Constantinople

1453

The fall of Constantinople during the Renaissance led Europeans to look for more efficient trade routes and improved vessels to make longer journeys. This directly influenced the Age of Discovery because Europe sent out on explorations for new trade routes and wealth.

Dias Sails Around Africa

1488

Bartolomeu Dias was the first explorer to round the southern tip of Africa by sea from Europe to India because of the innovation in navigational technologies. Without the pushes in education and thinking during the Renaissance, journeys during the Age of Discovery like Dias's would not have been possible.

Desiderius Erasmus

1490

Desiderius was a prominent thinker during the Renaissance era and spread the concept of humanism. He was a Catholic priest and scholar/philosopher who published works to catalyze the Protestant Reformation.

Martin Luther

1517

Martin Luther was a theologian, priest, professor, and author so education (especially relating to Christianity) was very important to him and many other at the time. He believed that everyone should read the Bible for themselves instead of relying on the popes' false translations to understand the true path to salvation.

(Approximate Time) Cartography

1600

Portuguese map makers (cartographers) during the Renaissance are considered the first to begin piecing together maps of land. Maps of the whole globe were not created until years later, but general proportions of land could be drawn and examined to be further explored.