LECTURE 4:

- RENAISSANCE &
REFORMATION IN THE WEST
- MUSLIM EMPIRES IN THE EAST
 CRITICAL THINKING
Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and
rationally about what to do or what to believe. It includes
the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking.
Someone with critical thinking skills is able to do the
following :

•understand the logical connections between ideas

•identify, construct and evaluate arguments
•detect inconsistencies and common mistakes in reasoning
•solve problems systematically
•identify the relevance and importance of ideas
•reflect on the justification of one's own beliefs and values
OUTLINE
• Renaissance (rebirth) in Europe
• Reformation in Europe
• Muslim Empires
 Ottomans
 Safavids
 Mughals

• Chapters – 13, 15 and 16

(Chapter 13 is not mentioned in readings for this lecture but is part of reading for lecture
2 – hence you have to read it)
• Quiz in next lecture – Lecture 3 and 4 included
RENAISSANCE (1300 – 1600)
• Distinct period in European history that began in Italy and spread through rest of
Europe
• It was not an ‘organic’ movement – it was planned and intentional – funded by the
wealthy in Italy
• Based on the study of the classical works of the Greek and Roman philosophers of
antiquity
• They wanted to restore the glory – they wanted the citizens to be philosophical –
they wanted the ‘good’ life instead of the ‘hard’ life they were accustomed to
• The ‘beautiful’, refers to “something that we like, not only due to its overall qualities
of harmony and balance (in a place, object, living being, painting or book), but also
for its moral qualities.”
VARIOUS FORMS OF RENAISSANCE
• Intellectual Renaissance
o Idea of ‘Humanism’
o Everyone is equally capable – all should be able to write and speak with eloquence and
clarity

• Artistic Renaissance
o Beauty sells – the Renaissance artists used it to sell ideas – intellectual ideas & religious
ideas

• Architectural Renaissance
o Focus on Greek ideas of Symmetry, Harmony, Proportion

• State Renaissance
o Broadening horizons – looking outwards – exploration
WHAT LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM THE
RENAISSANCE?
PROTESTANT REFORMATION
• Reform movement that divided the western Christian Church into Catholic and
Protestant
• Background to the reformation;

o The growth of state power

o Social Changes as a result of Renaissance
o Impact of printing
o Christian Humanism – Christianity a way of life
o Corruption in Catholic Church
MARTIN LUTHER AND LUTHERANISM
• Monk and a Professor of Bible
• Catholic Doctrine – Faith and Good deeds both needed
to achieve salvation
• Luther’s philosophy – Human deeds can never be
enough for God – faith in God will lead to salvation
• Justification by Faith
• Gained followers in German states that made up the
Holy Roman Empire – Rulers took control of Churches –
State controlled churches
• Religious warfare ensued – Peace of Augsburg 1555 –
division of Christianity formally acknowledged
• States could choose their religion – individuals could not
CALVIN AND CALVINISM
• Successor to reform movement leader Zwingli in Switzerland
• Believed in the concept of salvation because of Faith
• However, ‘Eternal Decree’ – God’s will was also important – some were destined to
be saved
• Hence Calvinists believed they were chosen to spread this dogma
• Geneva became the fortress of Reformation
THE ENGLISH REFORMATION
• King Henry VIII wanted to divorce his wife – Catholic Church does not allow divorce
– he forced Archbishop of Canterbury (highest Church of England) to grant him
divorce
• In 1534 – English Parliament passed The Act of Supremacy – King became the only
supreme head on earth of the Church of England – hence broke away from Roman
Catholic Church
• The believes remained almost the same
• His son, Edward VI, introduced Protestant doctrines
• His Successor, Queen Mary, tried to return to Catholicism – burned Protestant books
etc. – by the end of her reign England was more Protestant than ever
WARS OF RELIGION IN THE 16TH CENTURY
• French wars of Religion (1562 – 1598)
Ended with Catholicism becoming the state religion – however Calvinists were free to
practice and could hold public office

• Militant Catholicism in Spain

Revolt in the Northern provinces when Calvinism was suppressed (1566) – led to years of
unrest – ended in 1609 with the Northern provinces (United Provinces of Netherlands)
became independent

• Elizabeth of England
Elizabeth Tudor took over from Queen Mary in 1558, repealed Catholic Laws of Mary –
Church of England became Protestant but very moderate – fought off Spanish invasion –
England became leader of the Protestant nations
THIRTY YEARS’ WAR (1618 – 1648)
• Began in Germanic lands of the Holy
Roman Empire between the
Catholics (Hapsburg) and
Protestants (nobles in Bohemia)
• Most battles were fought on German
land
• Protestants were supported by the
Ottomans
PEACE OF WESTPHALIA
• Series of Peace Treaties signed between May and October 1648
• All states were free to choose their own religion
• Three hundred entities that made up Holy Roman Empire were recognized as
independent states
• Political motives not religious convictions were the driving force in public affairs
IMPACT OF THE PEACE OF WESTPHALIA
• Several major IR principles established as a result

i. Sovereignty of states – nation states

ii. International Law/Diplomacy
iii. Collective Security
iv. Concept of Balance of Power
A LOOK AT THE MUSLIM EMPIRES
OTTOMAN EMPIRE
• Political and Administrative
o Led by a Sultan – hereditary
o Centralized administrative system
o Imperial Council – Chaired by grand wazir
o Imperial bureaucracy – chosen on merit from amongst the Janissars

• The Harem (sacred place)

o Topkapi Palace
o Mostly Sultans did not marry – had concubines – when a son became a Sultan – the mother
became Queen Mother, who served as an advisor to the throne
o The Sultanate of Women
• Religion
o Islamic law and customs applied to all Muslims
o Primarily Sunni, but Sufism was also popular – loyalty to Sultan was more important
o Sultan appointed a Supreme Religious Authority
o Tolerant towards non – Muslims

• Status of Women
o Permitted to own and inherit property – including their dowries
o Could not be forced into a marriage
OTTOMAN ART AND CULTURE
SAFAVID EMPIRE
• Founded by Shah Ismail in the early 1500’s
• Constant rivalry with Ottomans
• Intellectual freedom at the start of the empire – curtailed later by the militant
Shi’ites
• At its height worthy successor of Persia
SAFAVID CULTURE
MUGHALS

• How were Muslims and Hindus able to live

together for centuries under the Mughals?
• Role and status of women?
• System of Zameendars – modern day
impact?