The European Renaissance transformed Europe and the world. What caused the startling changes that occurred in Western Europe between the late 1300s and the early 1700s? Was it money and the desire for wealth? Was it the love of art and beauty? The search for a more meaningful life?
Look back through the lessons in this module, and think about the causes behind the economic, social, and religious changes in Europe during the Renaissance.
Question 1
What conditions in Europe led to the Renaissance in art and culture? Was it mostly a political and economic movement, or mostly a cultural movement?
Question 2
What do you think the world would look like today if Europe had not experienced its Age of Discovery? Explain how the world might be different if there had been no European exploration and expansion. Include at least two examples of how the world would look or act if things had gone differently.
