Chapter 3: “Renaissance, Reformation and the Wars of Religion”.
- Describe the consequences of the spread of printing.
- How did printing challenge the Church orthodoxy?
- Describe (in basic terms) the new cosmological model proposed by Copernicus.
- Who was Martin Luther?
- Mention the three competing powers in Europe at this moment (1500-1600).
- Who was Charles V?
- What was France looking for in Italy, at this time (1480-1515)?
- Who was François I? Mention the main characteristics of his kingdom (agriculture, manufacture, trade).
- Why was the structure of power in France “centralized” (page 48)?
- What was the “Concordat” with the Pope?
- What are the main contributions of François I to the French culture? (pages 49-51).
- How would you define “Renaissance Humanism”? (page 52-53)
- How were the Protestants perceived in France? Why?
- What was the nature of the “Wars of Religion”? Explain briefly (page 55-56).
- Explain, very briefly, the massacre of St. Bartholomew.
- Explain the content of the Edict of Nantes.
Chapter 4: “The Grand Century of the Sun King.”
- Who was Louis XIV? Explain briefly his notion of “power”.
- What was the situation of France at this moment in terms of economy, population and territory?
- What was the situation of France at this moment in terms of infrastructures, industry and trade expeditions?
- Who was Richelieu? What was his notion of “power”?
- Why was Louis XIV the object of a quasi-religious cult? (pages 68-70)
- Something more about Louis’ notion of “power”: how did he understand the concept of “theocracy”?
- What is “Gallicanism”?
- What are the first economic problems appearing during Louis’ regime? (page 72).
- Why did he revoke the Edict of Nantes? Talk about the consequences of this decision (page 73).
- What is the “French exception”?
Chapter 5. “The Enlightenment and the Fall of the Monarchy.”
- Who was the Duc d’Orleans, and what was his attitude in regards to the nobility?
- Who was Louis XV?
- How would you describe the economic situation (industry) of France at this moment?
- What can be said about infrastructure and education?
- How can you describe the political opposition to Louis’ regime?
- England ruled the seas at that time. What were the consequences for France?
- Explain -briefly- the Seven Years War.
- What is the traditional political regime in England? What is the traditional political regime in France? Explain the differences.
- How would you define the Enlightenment?
- What is “cultural relativism”?
- What is the meaning of this sentence written by Saint-Just: “happiness is a new idea in Europe”? Why does it imply a critique to the power of the Church?
- What did “the philosophers” think about absolute monarchy?
- Who was Louis XVI? What was his reaction to the revolutionary movements?
