Class 11 History Short Questions with Answers -Changing Cultural Traditions

Very Short Question With Answer (1 Mark Each)

Q1. For whom was the term ‘humanist’ used by the early fifteenth century?

Ans. By the early fifteenth century, the term ‘humanist’ was used for those masters who taught grammer, poetry, rhetoric, history and moral philosophy. Humans had the ability to make their own choices and enhance their skills, distinguishing them as 'modern' compared to 'medieval' people, whose thoughts were heavily influenced by the church. 

Q2. Why stress was given on close reading of writings of ancient Roman and Greek authors?

Ans. Ancient Roman and Greek civilisations were considered as distinctive civilisations. According to Petrarch, this distinctiveness could be understood only through the actual words of the ancient Greeks and the Romans. Therefore, Petrarch gave stress on close reading of writings of ancient Roman and Greek authors.

Q3. What do you understand by humanism? Give examples of humanism in art and literature of the Renaissance period.

Ans. Humanism is an approach in which existing problems are given importance. Writers and artists of the Renaissance period showed a special interest in the present men. So, art and literature of that period are called humanist.

Q4. When did the modern age start? Which factors contributed to it?

Ans. The modern age started with the decline of feudal system. The four factors, viz. development of trade, emergence of towns, rise of middle class in the society and the Renaissance contributed to its rise. Geographical discoveries also contributed significantly to it.

Q5. What is meant by the Renaissance?

Ans. Renaissance means ‘rebirth’. It occurred in Italy in the fifteenth century. A new movement of knowledge started in Europe after a long dark age of ignorance. The people of Europe again began to take interest in European ancient culture and civilisation.

Q6. Write down any two good effects of religious wars on the life of Europeans.

Ans. (i) These wars expanded the knowledge of geographical discoveries.

(ii) Europeans came in contact with Islamic world. They adopted the knowledge of art and science of the Islamic world.

Q7. Tell any three main features of the Renaissance.

Ans. (i) Italian towns were the first centres of the Renaissance.

(ii) A new style of art emerged.

(iii) Architecture and literature developed.

Q8. Write down any two effects of the Renaissance.

Ans. (i) Superstitions ended with the emergence of new ideas, sentiments and assumptions.

(ii) Humanism spread among people.Consequently, man became the main topic of literary and artistic works.

Q9. Who were known as the inventors of printing press? Which was the first printed book in Europe?

Ans. Gutenberg and Castor were known as the inventors of printing press. They invented printing press in the first half of the fifteenth century. The first printed book in Europe was probably the Bible.

Q10. What is meant by Reformation movement?

Ans. By the Reformation movement, we mean a movement which was launched by Martin Luther of Germany against the prevailing wrong practices in the Roman Church. Supporters of this movement abolished corrupt practices and tried to establish improved practices.

Q11. Write down any two results of the Protestant Reformation Movement.

Ans. (i) People’s attitude towards religion changed and Christianity got divided into two parts.

(ii) The Pope himself came to know about his weaknesses and saved his position by the Counter Reformation.

Q12. What were the real motivating factors behind voyages of discoveries?

Ans. (i) To enslave people by discovering new places and earning big profits from slave trade.

(ii) A strong urge of increasing trade and earning money.

(iii) To earn name and fame by obtaining spices and gold.

Q13. What were the results of growth in commerce and trade?

Ans. (i) Growth in commerce and trade made Europeans prosperous.

(ii) European countries made the discovered lands their colonies and used them as markets.

Q14. Which two persons gave the greatest contribution to the popularity of Florence?

Ans. Dante Alighieri and Giotto gave the greatest contribution to the popularity of Florence. Dant Alighieri wrote on religious themes whereas Giotto painted life-like portraits which were quite different from stiff figures made by earlier artists.

Q15. What is meant by the term ‘Renaissance Man’ ? Give an example.

Ans. The term ‘Renaissance Man’ is generally used to describe an individual who has many interests and skills. There were many great individuals in the Renaissance period who had several interests and were skilled in many arts. For example, a person could be a scholar, diplomat, theologist and artist.

Q16. Why did humanists name the beginning of the fifteenth century as the new age or modern age?

Ans. Humanists named the beginning of the fifteenth century as new age or modern age in order to differentiate it from medieval age. They argued that the Church had complete control over men’s minds as all the learning of the Greeks and Romans had been blotted out. But in the beginning of the fifteenth century, this learning revived.

Q17. Discuss in brief the subject-matter of Ptolemy’s Almagest.

Ans. Ptolemy’s Almagest was a work on astronomy. It was written in Greek before 140 CE and later it was translated into Arabic. It carries the Arabic definite article ‘al’, which brings out its Arabic connection

Q18. Give a brief introduction of Ibn Rushd.

Ans. Ibn Rushd was an Arab philosopher of Spain. He tried to resolve the contradiction between philosophical knowledge and religious beliefs. His method was adopted by Christian thinkers.

Q19. Which two things played a significant role in transmitting humanist ideas to people ?

Ans. (i) Humanist subjects began to be taught in schools and colleges.

(ii) Art, architecture and literature also played an effective role in transmitting humanist ideas.

Q20. Who was Andreas Vesalius?

Ans. Andreas Vesalius (1514 – 64) was a professor of medicine at the University of Padua. He was the first person who dissected the human body. It led to the beginning of modern physiology.

Short Question With Answer (2 Mark Each)

Ans. Revival of the Italian culture can be attributed to:

• Political and cultural centres in Italy fell into ruin after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. No unified government was there during those times.
• Pope was not quite strong in European politics although he was sovereign in his own state. For a long time, regions of Western Europe were reshaped by feudal relations and were unified under the Latin Church. 
• Changes were being brought in eastern Europe under the Byzantine Empire. Islam was creating a common civilisation in further west.

Q2. What is meant by the Renaissance?

Ans.  The Renaissance is called by the names of rebirth, reawakening, re-rise of intellectual awakening and culture, etc. After the thirteenth century such circumstances rose as made man awakened. This awakening is known as the Renaissance. 

• The Renaissance is originally a French word, which literally means ‘to rise again’. In context of analysis of European history, the Renaissance has its distinct period.  This age is generally considered between the fourteenth and the sixteenth centuries (1350 – 1550 CE). In fact, the beginning of modern Europe is accepted from the Renaissance. 
• In ancient times, Europe was at the peak of civilisation. This peak was seen in Greece and Rome. In medieval age the Greek and Roman civilisations almost vanished. They revived in the Renaissance period.

Q3. Mention the names of women intellectually creative during the period of the Renaissance in Europe.

Ans: Cassandra Fedele and Marchesa Isabella were educated in Latin and Greek.

• Fedele proved that women could become humanist scholars and requested every woman to acquire humanist education.
• Fedele emphasized the importance of women embracing studies despite the lack of rewards and dignity for women in education at the time.
• Lady Isabella Este ruled the state while her husband was absent, and the court of Mantua was known for its intellectual brilliance.

Q4. Why is it said that the Renaissance started a new age ?
Ans. The Renaissance undoubtedly started a new age. Following were its main reasons :

• The Renaissance ended conservative assumptions of ancient and medieval societies. Now people began to discuss their problems.
• It broke the feudal bonds and established nation-states.
• Before the Renaissance, people had blind faith in principles of the Church. But now they began to doubt the truthfulness of these principles and examined everything on the basis of logic.
• The Renaissance originated many new ideologies in art and literature. 

Q5. Write a short note on Humanism.

Ans. Humanism was one of the basic features of the Renaissance. Humanism means ‘to take interest in man and respect him’. 

• Humanism studies the problems of man, accepts the importance of human life and tries to improve and make prosper his life. 
• In the Renaissance period, the existing world in which we live was given importance than the next world. This is humanism. 
• The supporters of humanism were called humanists. 
• A feeling of secularism was the main ideology of humanism.

Q6. What were the chief objectives of the Reformation Movement?

Ans. Some of the chief objectives of the Reformation Movement were as follows :

• To check religious absolutism and limitless rights of the Pope and other religious leaders.
• To improve moral life of the Pope and other religious leaders.
• To remove corruption spread in the Church and divert attention of religious leaders to spirituality.
• To emphasise the establishment of a national church.

Q7. Write a short note on the Counter Reformation Movement.

Ans. The Counter Reformation Movement arose in response to the Reformation Movement, addressing defects in Catholicism that were previously ignored by the Roman Catholic Church. 

• The spread of Protestantism concerned Catholics, leading to reforms and efforts to counter it. 
• Ignatius Loyala founded the Society of Jesus, or Jesuits, who traveled to Germany and France to re-convert people and established Jesuit schools in China, Africa, India, and America. 
• This movement renewed Catholicism's popularity and slowed the growth of Protestantism. 

Q8. Compare the Venetian idea of good government with those in contemporary France.
Ans: Venice was an Italian city. This city was free from the influence of the church and feudal lords. In Venice, bankers and rich merchants played a significant role while there was absolute monarchy in France. In France, common people were deprived of their rights. 

Q9. Describe the reasons for the emergence of European Religious Reform Movement (the Protestant Movement).
Ans. The Protestant ‘Religious  Reform Movement’ implies the branch of Christianity which was started against customs and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church. Its founder was Martin Luther. Following were the reasons for the emergence of this Religious Reform Movement:

• The Church had accumulated abundance of wealth and property. The Pope and priests appointed on high posts began to lead a luxurious life due to which many people began to hate them. 
• Posts of priests in the Church were being sold. 
• The Pope and the clergy sold ‘indulgences’. 
• The Pope collected many kinds of taxes and duties from people and himself led a luxurious life. Consequently, people opposed the Church.

Q10. Compare details of Italian architecture of this period with Islamic architecture.
Ans: Following are the points of comparison:

• Huge buildings were constructed under both the Italian and the Islamic architectures.
• Decoration was prominent in both the styles.
• Arch and pillars were the important characteristics of both the Italian and the Islamic architectures.
• Beautiful cathedrals and monasteries were constructed in Italian architecture, whereas large and magnificent mosques were constructed under the Islamic style of architecture.