Important Questions: Changing Cultural Traditions | History Class 11 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Tell the forms of material on European History.
Ans: The material on the history of Europe since the fourteenth century is found in the form of documents, printed books, paintings, sculptures, buildings, and textiles.

Q2: What was the approach of the German historian, Leopold Von Ranke on an approach of a historian should be?
Ans: The historian should first collect documents from Government Depts. and give priority to writing about states and politics.

Q3: Mention the name of the book composed by Jacob.
Ans: It was “The Civilization of the Renaissance In Italy”.

Q4: When was humanism adopted in the curriculum of universities in Italy?
Ans: It was during the fourteenth century when humanism as a college subject was accepted in the curriculum.

Q5: Who had labeled culture as humanism?
Ans: It was by nineteenth-century historians.

Q6: What do you understand by classical architecture?
Ans: During this period in question, Roman history was read and remains were dug up by archeologists. It inspired a new style of architecture viz a revival of the Imperial Roman Style. It was called classical architecture.

Q7: Why according to Machiavelli all men are bad and ever ready to display their vicious nature?
Ans: Such was because human desires are insatiable and he is motivated to every fair and unfair means to meet them. It is a human, weakness and caused due to unbridled mind.

Q8: What was the women’s status in business families?
Ans: The women used to co-operate with their husbands in every bit of their businesses. In families of merchants and bankers, wives looked after the businesses when the male members were away at work.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q9: How many aims could conclude the dynamism of earth to the extent this fact was accepted by society and we read about them in our science books?
Ans: The first and foremost astronomer was Copernicus who gave an observation that planets including the earth rotate around the Sun. The second brain was that of Johannes Kepler (author of Cosmographical Mystery) who said-“Planets move around the sun not in circles but in ellipses”. The third brain was that of Galileo Galilei (author of The Motion) who stated-“Solar family constitutes several planets and sub-planets including earth revolving around the sun”. Thus, the fact that of earth’s being rotatory planet i.e. Blue Star was confirmed by three brains at distinct periods of time hence, we now read this fact and understand it easily.

Q10: What do you understand by Private and Public spheres of Life? Explain.
Ans: The private sphere of life consists of the family and personal religion while the public sphere means the area of government and of formal religion. These two spheres became separate during the period between the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries. An individual was not simply a member of one of the three orders but he was also a person in his own right. He was not just a member of the guild but he was known for himself. It subsequently became a basis for the principle that all individuals had equal political rights.

Q11: Why did the humanists divide the middle ages dr the medieval period of a millennium in the Dark Ages, The Early middle ages, and the late middle ages?
Ans: According to the humanists, the dark age had set-in after the collapse of the Roman empire in the fourth century. They enumerated a period of 500 years under the Dark Ages. This was the reason, the later historians assumed that the new age had begun in Europe from the fourteenth century. They argued that in the Middle Ages, the Church had pressed humans to forget all the learning of the Greeks and Romans. It had introduced the system of vassalage or Feudal System in order to enjoy first order in society.

Q12: Give a brief account of the new concept of human beings.
Ans: It was against the control of religion over human life.,

• Acquisition of material wealth, power, and glory is a usual instinct of human beings and cannot be tantamount to vice.
• The study of history leads a man to strive for a life of perfection hence, the Christian injunction against pleasure is untenable.
• A person of culture should learn good manners including politeness and simplicity.
• Individuals irrespective of poor and weak are capable of shaping through other means.
• Self-interest is the most powerful motive hence, a cordial and congenial environment for the proliferation of self-interest should be provided to the people.

Q13: Give a brief account of woman status in Europe during 14th to 17th century.
Ans:

• Women were given no political rights.
• Families were dominated by husbands.
• Money obtained in dowry was invested in the family businesses but women had no say in how that business should run.
• If the father could not arrange to suffice dowry, his daughter would go to the convent to live the life of a nun.
• They were keepers of the households without any public role given to them.

Thus, on the above points, we can state that the patriarchal system was strictly followed in Europe in, where women were treated as mere instruments in the hands of their husbands without any right in property and role in public life.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q14: Why would this theme named Changing Cultural Traditions? Find the reasons in context with several developments that took place during the 14th to 17th centuries in European society. Would you say it was Renaissance or circumstantial regression and revival of cultural pursuit?
Ans: The theme "Changing Cultural Traditions" is a relevant and thought-provoking topic when examining the developments that took place during the 14th to 17th centuries in European society. This period, often referred to as the Renaissance, was marked by a profound transformation in various aspects of culture, art, science, and society. Here are some reasons why this theme is appropriate in this context:

• Renaissance: The term "Renaissance" itself means "rebirth," signifying a revival of classical Greco-Roman culture. During this period, there was a resurgence of interest in classical knowledge, art, and literature. This cultural movement led to a significant departure from the traditions of the Middle Ages, resulting in changing cultural practices.
• Humanism: Humanism, a central intellectual movement of the Renaissance, emphasized the importance of individual human potential, creativity, and intellectual pursuits. It encouraged people to question traditional beliefs and to explore new ideas, thus challenging long-standing cultural norms.
• Artistic Innovations: The Renaissance witnessed a flourishing of artistic creativity, with painters like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael creating iconic works of art. Their innovations in techniques, perspective, and subject matter represented a break from medieval artistic traditions.
• Scientific Revolution: The Scientific Revolution, which began in the 16th century, transformed the way people understood the natural world. Figures like Galileo Galilei and Johannes Kepler challenged religious and philosophical beliefs with empirical observations, contributing to a shift in cultural attitudes toward science and reason.
• Printing Press: The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century revolutionized communication. The mass production of books made knowledge more accessible to a wider audience, promoting the spread of new ideas and challenging traditional religious and philosophical authorities.
• Religious Reformation: The 16th-century Protestant Reformation, led by figures such as Martin Luther and John Calvin, challenged the authority of the Catholic Church and led to religious and cultural divisions across Europe.
• Exploration and Global Exchange: European exploration during this period expanded cultural horizons as Europeans encountered new cultures and civilizations in the Americas, Africa, and Asia. This facilitated the exchange of ideas, goods, and technologies, further altering cultural traditions.
• Social Changes: Social structures were also evolving during this time. The rise of the bourgeoisie and the emergence of the nation-state contributed to shifting cultural dynamics.

In summary, the period from the 14th to the 17th centuries in European society was indeed marked by a "Changing Cultural Traditions." While the Renaissance represented a revival of classical ideals and a surge of humanistic values, it also challenged and transformed long-standing cultural norms, making it a complex mix of progression and, in some cases, regression, particularly in the context of religious conflicts. Therefore, it's appropriate to view this era as both a Renaissance and a period of circumstantial regression and revival of cultural pursuits, depending on the specific aspect of culture or society being examined.

Q15: Do you think all women in Europe during the period 14th to 17th century were equally neglected? If not, describe the social and family status of other women?
Ans: We would like to state here that the position of women in families of merchants and bankers was somewhat different than those of common women in the society. In these families, women used to work as partners to the firm or business and made responsible to look after the businesses when the male members were away at work.
A few women in European society were intellectually more creative and sensitive about the importance of humanist education. One among these women, Cassandra Fedele wished to see all women duly educated in humanism. She had stated-“Even though the study of letters promises but offers no reward for women and no dignity”. That lady was proficient in Greek and Latin and was invited to give orations at the University of Padua in Italy.
She criticized the constitution of republics in which women’s freedom was hanged on the desires of men. Another woman was the Marchesa of Mantua, Isabella d’Este who ruled the state while her husband was absent and the small state of Mantua proliferated under her skilled administration. These women writers wished economic power, property, and education to women so that they could make their respected place in men dominated society of Europe.

Q16: Do you ascribe the printed books as major aspects of bringing renaissance in Italy? Explain.
Ans: Yes, the availability of promoted books increased the pace of the renaissance in Italy. 150 copies of the Bible were first printed in the workshop of Johannes Gutenberg, the German who set-up the first printing press. Prior to that, texts existed in a few handwritten copies which could be read-only by the noble and wealthy merchants.
With the installation of the printing press, a number of universities and schools set up and scope of the curriculum had been enhanced. There was no dearth of textbooks, the translated versions of ancient Roman and Greek literature on science, architecture, language, Mathematics, moral Philosophy, etc. As printed books became available, it was possible to buy them and students did not have to depend solely on lecture notes. Thus, ideas, opinions, and information moved more widely and more rapidly than before. This developed the reading habits among people.
When the printing facility increased, the number of authors began to increase also. Authors on the concept of humanity like Francesco Barbara and Lorenzo Valla. In His Pleasure, Valla criticized the Christian’s injunction against pleasure and stressed prudence, good manners in dress, and acquisition of education in good culture. There were developed women, and writers, also. Venetian Cassandra Fedele, Marchesa of Mantua, and Isabella d’Este were pioneers among them. These writers emphasized women’s education and empowerment.
On the basis of the above points, the contribution of books to Italian society is all apparent and the Renaissance was brought to Italy with the help of books on several subjects including humanism, grammar, rhetoric, poetry, history, law, morals philosophy, religion, politics, natural sciences, etc.

Q17: 'Models of painting as found in Italy are the most catchy’. Why?
Ans: The artists in Italy were experts in more than one art. For instance, Leonardo Da Vinci was a botanist, physiologist, Mathematician, and painter, all in one. Similarly, Michelangelo Buonarroti was a Painter, Sculptor, and designer. Leonardo Da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper. He had invented the flying machine.
Buonarroti painted the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, made a sculptor “The Pieta” (in which Mary is holding the body of Jesus) and he himself had designed the dome of St. Peter’s Church. One more person i.e. Filippo Brunelleschi was an architect and sculptor. He had designed the Duomo of Florence.
The reasons why Italian art is catchy are thus, all apparent. Firstly it got the hands of scientists and mathematicians. Knowledge of Geometry helped them to understand the perspective and by noticing the changing quality of light, their pictures acquired a three-dimensional quality. Secondly, they used oil as a medium for painting which gave the greatest richness of color to paintings than before. We can observe the influence of Chinese and Persian art on these paintings. It could possibly be due to the Mongol invasion and expansion of their empire.

Q18: Imagine why would eligibility for membership to Council under the institution of the commonwealth have been confirmed to gentlemen of the City and state in Italy?
Ans: A cursory perusal of the commonwealth and government of Venice composed by Cardinal Gas Paro Contarini reveals that only gentlemen who had attained the age of 25 years, were made eligible to the Council, and common people were denied membership. Here common people were understood as those ignobly born, poor, and the people very rude and anti-social. It means cruel, unsober, insolvent, misconduct, loose-character people were deemed as common people.
Their instincts and nature are always unchangeable and nothing else but only disruption in Council, they would have made. Hence, they were denied membership. I would like to describe this criterion of selection of members to the Council, the major cause of the Renaissance which developed from the city-states of Italy. Modem democracy is owed to the city-states however, only seeming or virtual appearance has corrupted this system to the extent, that there has emerged criminalization of politics in India. Thus, we see citizenship approach had sprouted in Italy.

Q19: Will you say the Renaissance was confined to Europe during the period from the fourteenth to the seventeenth century?
Ans: No, we cannot describe it as a period of renaissance only confined to Europe because Asia and Africa almost in full were almost connected with Europe during the period in question. A number of sea and terrestrial routes were then discovered and maritime trade was in its youth. It is true that Europe could attain cultural changes by the classical civilization of Rome and Greece but technologies and skills in Asia had moved ahead of what the Greeks and Romans had known. Thus, we can state that the Europeans have not learned just from the Greeks and Romans, but from India, Arabia, Iran, Central Asia, and China also. It is a universal fact that papyrus was first invented in China and then paper paper-making technique spread to European cities.
On the above basis, we would like to state that the Renaissance in; Europe is owed to the Renaissance much before sprouted but not described in pages of history due to the Europe-centred viewpoint of historians in ‘ Asia and Africa. Apart from the expansion of maritime trade, the expansion of Islam and the Mongol conquests gave Europeans the opportunity to see ‘ and learn the technologies discovered earlier in Asia.

Q20: What were the issues on which the Protestants criticized? the Catholic Church?
Ans: Catholic Church in criticism by Protestants:

• According to William Tyndale, the clergymen had still not made available copies of the Bible in their mother tongue because they were t intended to keep them still in the dark.
• This they had done so that they might sit in the conscience of the masses through vain superstition and false doctrine to satisfy their proud ambition to bag honor from them above the King and even above God.
• Martin Luther was the leader of the Protestant Reform movement. He said a person needn’t priests to establish contact with God. It is the faith of God that can guide people to the right life and entry into heaven.
• The Church had held supreme power i.e. First Order with no specific portfolio it had in the ruling.
• Some radical opinion was that God has created all people as equal. Hence, they have the right to choose their priest and there is no need to pay taxes to the Catholic Church.
• As the Head of the Catholic Church (i.e. Pope) had failed in performing its duty to the masses, the King should be made the head of the Church in his place/state and not the Pope.
• Monasteries had been indulged in corrupt practices by the fourteenth century in Europe.