Renaissance and Reformation Webquest
Before you begin this WebQuest, please make sure you have your accompanying packet ready to go. While there will be occasional parts of this WebQuest which require you to respond online, the majority of your work will be done on this packet, and then submitted at the end of the class period that we're working on it. If you need to complete parts for homework, then do so.
You will move through the following tasks to gain a better understanding of the daily, political, intellectual, religious, and artistic life of the Renaissance, Reformation, and Counter-Reformation. You should proceed through the tasks in order; the material from Task One will help you to better understand Task Two and so on. You will find links to the next task at the bottom of each page, or you can return here.
Task One: Italian Renaissance
1. Watch the "Crash Course" Video below and answer the corresponding questions in your packet.
2. Let's try a "Google Advanced Search"
4. Respond in a comment
Based on the video you watched and the material you read, was there a such thing as the Renaissance? Why or why not? Answer it in this form below.
- In the search box labeled “this exact word or phrase,” type Italian Renaissance. Every result you receive will have those words in exactly that order.
- In the search box labeled “none of these words,” type Dark Ages. None of your results will contain this phrase.
- Limit your search results to English.
- In the search box labeled “site or domain,” type .edu. This will make sure you receive results from educational domains. This does NOT mean that the material is immediately more reliable, but it’s certainly a start.
4. Respond in a comment
Based on the video you watched and the material you read, was there a such thing as the Renaissance? Why or why not? Answer it in this form below.
Task Two: Northern Renaissance
This one's easy guys! Just watch the video below about the Northern Renaissance and answer the corresponding questions in the packet.
Task Three: Intellectual and Daily Life in the Renaissance
1. Money, money, money
Listen to the story, “In Italy, Art As A Window Into Modern Banking.” (Listen to it. Don’t just read the associated story; it’s a little different). Then, examine the slideshow of images on the same page. Use the audio and visual to answer the associated questions in your packet.
2. Renaissance and Human Philosophy
Using the article found on the Library of Congress’ site on “The Vatican Library and Renaissance Culture,” define the Renaissance philosophy of humanism, and describe its influence in the Italian and Northern Renaissances.
3. How to Take Over the World in Three Easy Steps
Watch the biography of Machiavelli
Listen to the story, “In Italy, Art As A Window Into Modern Banking.” (Listen to it. Don’t just read the associated story; it’s a little different). Then, examine the slideshow of images on the same page. Use the audio and visual to answer the associated questions in your packet.
2. Renaissance and Human Philosophy
Using the article found on the Library of Congress’ site on “The Vatican Library and Renaissance Culture,” define the Renaissance philosophy of humanism, and describe its influence in the Italian and Northern Renaissances.
3. How to Take Over the World in Three Easy Steps
Watch the biography of Machiavelli
Read the following excerpt from Machiavelli's "The Prince"
Concerning Cruelty and Clemency, and Whether it is Better to be Loved than Feared
Upon this a question arises: whether it is better to be loved than feared or feared than loved? It may be answered that one should wish to be both, but, because it is difficult to unite them in one person, it is much safer to be feared than loved, when, of the two, either must be dispensed with. Because this is to be asserted in general of men, that they are ungrateful, fickle, false, cowardly, covetous, and as long as you successed they are yours entirely; they will offer you their blood, property, life, and children, as is said above, when the need is far distant; but when it approaches they turn against you. And that prince who, relying entirely on their promises, has neglected other precautions, is ruined; because friendships that are obtained by payments, and not by nobility or greatness of mind, may indeed be earned, but they are not secured, and in time of need cannot be relied upon; and men have less scruple in offending one who is beloved than one who is feared, for love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserved you by a dread of punishment which never fails.
Nevertheless a prince ought to inspire fear in such a way that, if he does not win love, he avoids hatred; because he can endure very well being feared whilst he is not hated, which will always be as long as he abstains from the property of his citizens and subjects and from their women.
Answer the associated questions in the packet.
4. Extra, Extra, Read all About It
Read the following short article, and answer the associated questions about Johannes Gutenberg and the invention of movable type in the West:
Concerning Cruelty and Clemency, and Whether it is Better to be Loved than Feared
Upon this a question arises: whether it is better to be loved than feared or feared than loved? It may be answered that one should wish to be both, but, because it is difficult to unite them in one person, it is much safer to be feared than loved, when, of the two, either must be dispensed with. Because this is to be asserted in general of men, that they are ungrateful, fickle, false, cowardly, covetous, and as long as you successed they are yours entirely; they will offer you their blood, property, life, and children, as is said above, when the need is far distant; but when it approaches they turn against you. And that prince who, relying entirely on their promises, has neglected other precautions, is ruined; because friendships that are obtained by payments, and not by nobility or greatness of mind, may indeed be earned, but they are not secured, and in time of need cannot be relied upon; and men have less scruple in offending one who is beloved than one who is feared, for love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserved you by a dread of punishment which never fails.
Nevertheless a prince ought to inspire fear in such a way that, if he does not win love, he avoids hatred; because he can endure very well being feared whilst he is not hated, which will always be as long as he abstains from the property of his citizens and subjects and from their women.
Answer the associated questions in the packet.
4. Extra, Extra, Read all About It
Read the following short article, and answer the associated questions about Johannes Gutenberg and the invention of movable type in the West:
Task Four: Renaissance Art
Ah, the arts. Leonardo– Donatello– Raphael– Michelangelo– they’re not just Ninja Turtles. For this section, you’ll be doing some basic visual analysis.
1. The Human Form
1. The Human Form
- First, please go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s website to read the following article: “Anatomy in the Renaissance.”
- Once you have finished reading the article, click on the button at the top of the page which reads “View Works of Art.” Choose ONE example from the slideshow that you like, and click on it.
- Use the questions in your packet to help you analyze the image.
Task Five: Causes of the Protestant Reformation
So remember how the first Great Schism was a big deal because it meant that we wound up with TWO main versions of Christianity back in Middle Ages? Well, things are about to get a whole lot more complicated. Calvinists, Anabaptists, and Anglicans, oh my! Luckily, all you have to do is watch a few videos and answer some questions in your packet.
1. Problems in the Papacy, Tickets to Heaven, and the Rise of Individualism
This is one of the best short videos I’ve found on the subject of the Protestant Reformation. The history professors talking really know their stuff, so pay attention. It’s probably best to answer the questions in your packet as you watch, with this one.
1. Problems in the Papacy, Tickets to Heaven, and the Rise of Individualism
This is one of the best short videos I’ve found on the subject of the Protestant Reformation. The history professors talking really know their stuff, so pay attention. It’s probably best to answer the questions in your packet as you watch, with this one.
2. Martin Luther and the Revolt Against the Church.
If there’s one figure you need to really understand in the Protestant Reformation, it’s Martin Luther. Again, it’s probably best to answer the questions as you watch.
If there’s one figure you need to really understand in the Protestant Reformation, it’s Martin Luther. Again, it’s probably best to answer the questions as you watch.
Task Six: Consequences of the Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation wasn’t just ONE way of thinking about Christianity– one of the things that make it so important are the various branches and interpretations that develop during the next hundred years or so. And it’s important to note that the Catholic church did not just sit idly by during all of this turmoil in Western Europe.
1. Henry VIII, Self-Determination, and Free Will.
No, they don’t all go together. But they DO all have something to do with the Protestant Reformation. Again, watch the following video and answer the associated questions.
1. Henry VIII, Self-Determination, and Free Will.
No, they don’t all go together. But they DO all have something to do with the Protestant Reformation. Again, watch the following video and answer the associated questions.
2. Jesuits and the Inquisition
Watch the video and answer the questions (last time!)
Watch the video and answer the questions (last time!)