| Term | Definition |
| Francesco Petrarch | father of the Humanism, most noted for writing poetry in the vernacular |
| Giovanni Boccaccio | Italian Renaissance writer of the Decameron, a book about people during the Black Plague |
| Niccolo Machiavelli | Italian Renaissance writer of The Prince, a book on how to become a powerful ruler |
| Martin Luther | Credited with starting the Protestant Reformation, he was a German Catholic theologian, author of the 95 Theses and founder of the Lutheran Church |
| John Calvin | French Protestant that led the Reformation movement in Switzerland – started the Calvinist church based on a much stricter interpretation of the Bible. Main concept of predestination |
| John Knox | Founder of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland, heavily influenced by Calvinism |
| Absolutism | also called an absolute monarchy, system of government where the king has power with no limitations (Louis XIV for example) |
| Politique | ruler who values politics or power over all else (Henry IV of France valued power over religion) |
| Peace of Augsburg | allowed German princes to choose between Lutheran and Catholic religions |
| Edict of Nantes | issued by Henry IV, allowed Huguenots to practice their religion and have fortified cities |
| Peace of Westphalia | end of the Thirty Years War, first modern state treaty made between countries, not kings |
| Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre | Aug 24, 1572 20,000 Huguenots killed on order of the King of France |
| Thirty Years War | 1618 - 1648, war over religion, territory and politics in the HRE |
| War of Spanish Succession | (1701 to 1714) war to prevent the union of the Spanish and French thrones (Louis XIV vs European alliance) |
| War of Austrian Succession | 1740 Frederick the Great of Prussia attacked Austrian territory when Maria Theresa took the throne |
| Seven Years War | (1756 to 1763)war in Europe, Austria/France vs Britain/Prussia, aka French and Indian War for fighting in Americas |
| Huguenots | French Protestants, mostly wealthy people |
| Bourbons | ruling family of France; started with Henry IV |
| Henry IV | aka Henry of Navarre; first Bourbon king of France, issued Edict of Nantes |
| Louis XIV | Bourbon absolute monarch of France, War of Spanish Succession; wars and policies led to high taxes |
| Maria Theresa | Hapsburg leader of Austria, War of Austrian Succession, Seven Years War |
| Frederick the Great | Kaiser (king) of Prussia, Ware of Austrian Succession and Seven Years War |
| Individualism | focus on personal achievements and needs |
| 95 theses | written by Martin Luther, list of problems with the church |
| Secularism | focus on worldly or non-religious things |
| Simony | sale of church offices |
| Italian Renaissance | focused on art and literature, more individual |
| Northern Renaissance | focused on realism and reform |
| Nationalism | people wanting a country of their own |
| Renaissance | rebirth of learning, art and culture |
| Humanism | belief in human potential |
| Oligarchies | governments run by a small group of powerful people (families) |
| Patrons | people who support a business or artists |
| Vernacular | in the common or local language |
| Christian Humanism | Northern European concept that humans can understand the Bible by reading it on their own, and who wanted to reform Christian practices |
| Indulgences | sale of forgiveness for sins |
| recant | take back a statement |
| Romanovs | Ruling family of Russia from 1613 to 1917 |
| Tudors | Ruling family of England from 1485 to 1603, responsible for creating the Church of England |
