Key Historical Events: 1453-1600 – Conquests, Discoveries, and Renaissance
Key Historical Events: 1453-1600
Significant Events
- 1453: Fall of Constantinople to the Turks
- 1492: Discovery of America
- French Revolution: A period of radical social and political upheaval in late 1700s France.
- New Ideas: Antrocentrism (Humanism)
Early European Powers
The primary European powers during this era were Portugal, England, France, and Spain.
The Catholic Monarchs
- Marriage of the Catholic Kings: Isabel of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon.
- Institutions created by the Catholic Monarchs:
- The Holy Brotherhood
- Royal Audiences (Courts)
- The Inquisition
Key Events of the Catholic Monarchs
- The end of the Reconquista with the conquest of Granada.
- The Discovery of America.
Treaty of Tordesillas
The Treaty of Tordesillas (Valladolid) divided newly discovered lands outside Europe between Portugal and Spain.
Pre-Columbian Civilizations
The Incas were located in the Andes. The Mayans and Aztecs were in the area of present-day Mexico and Central America.
Spanish Conquistadors
- Francisco Pizarro and the Inca Empire
- Hernán Cortés and the Aztec Empire
Spanish Exploration
Basque Núñez de Balboa discovered the Pacific Ocean in 1513.
Important Spanish Institutions
- The House of Trade in Seville
- The Council of the Indies
Viceroyalties
The Viceroyalty of New Spain and the Viceroyalty of Peru were created. Each viceroyalty was divided into governorates or provinces, and each governorate into corregimientos or municipal districts and royal audiences (courts).
Notable Locations
The port of Huelva stands out in Andalusia.
Notable Figures
- Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca
- Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada
- Dominican monk Fray Bartolomé de las Casas
Spanish Monarchs
Key Spanish monarchs of the era were Charles I (also known as Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire) and Philip II.
Charles I (Charles V) Conflicts
- Battles during the reign of Charles I:
- Battle of Villalar (War of the Communities)
- Battle of Mühlberg against the German Protestants
- Leaders of the Revolt of the Comuneros: Padilla, Bravo, and Maldonado.
- Conflicts during the reign of Charles I:
- Revolt of the Comuneros in Castile
- Revolt of the Germanies in Valencia and Mallorca
Philip II Conflicts
- Rise of the Moors in the Alpujarras of Granada
- The revolt involving the royal secretary Antonio Pérez in Aragon
Battle of Lepanto
Philip II’s forces were victorious at the Battle of Lepanto.
Conflict with England
England was a major adversary of Philip II.
Main Economic Activities
The main economic activities were agriculture, livestock, handicrafts, and trade. Payment methods included the use of bills of exchange, banks, and joint-stock companies.
Challenges to Spanish Trade
Continuous attacks by English, French, and Dutch pirates damaged Spanish trade.
Population
The population of Europe exceeded 80 million, while Spain’s population was approximately 6 to 7 million.
Social Strata
The social strata consisted of the monarchy, nobility, clergy, and peasantry, along with the bourgeoisie and craftsmen in the cities.
Humanism
Humanism was a new intellectual movement. Key elements included the invention and development of printing and the founding of new universities.
Key Humanists
- Erasmus of Rotterdam
- Antonio de Nebrija
- Juan Luis Vives
The Reformation
German monk Martin Luther initiated the Reformation. Major responses included the Council of Trent and the creation of the Society of Jesus.
Renaissance Cities
Important Renaissance cities included Florence, Venice, and Rome.
Florence Cathedral
The Florence Cathedral is also known as the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flowers.
Palaces in Florence
Notable palaces include the Pitti Palace and the Medici Palace.
Artistic Inspiration
Art was inspired by the classical antiquity of Greece and Rome.
Renaissance Architects
Major architects included Brunelleschi, Alberti, Bramante, and Michelangelo.
Michelangelo’s Dome
Michelangelo designed the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Michelangelo’s Sculptures
Magnificent sculptures by Michelangelo include the Pietà in the Vatican, David, and Moses.
Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel.
Renaissance Artists
Key Renaissance artists include Fra Angelico, Botticelli, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo.
Spanish Renaissance Styles
Styles included Plateresque, Classicism, and Herrerian.
Plateresque Style
Plateresque was a distinctive Renaissance art style in Spain.
Monastery of San Lorenzo del Escorial
The Monastery of San Lorenzo del Escorial is a significant monument.
Spanish Sculptors
Notable sculptors include Alonso de Berruguete and Juan de Juni.
El Greco
El Greco was an outstanding painter.
Monuments in Granada
The Palace of Charles V and the Cathedral of Granada are great monuments.
Cities in Jaén
Úbeda and Baeza are notable cities in Jaén.