Primary Source Summaries/Analysis/Important Quotes Edery U4

Second Letter to Charles V, -Hernando Cortes (Second Letter to Charles V, starting to see "cultural relativism", the cultures are very civilized, putting rumors to rest, explaining they are very advanced, "their traits are worthy of admiration")

"But not to be prolix in describing what relates to the affairs of this great city, although it is with difficulty I refrain from proceeding, I will say no more than that the manners of the people, as shown in their intercourse with one another, are marked by as great an attention to the proprieties of life as in Spain, and good order is equally well observed; and considering that they are barbarous people, without the knowledge of God, having no intercourse with civilized nations, these traits of character are worthy of admiration."

"Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina" -Galileo (Galileo, "Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina"; Philosophers more focused on their opinions; church people are only interpreting the Bible in ways that works for them ;Galileo, "Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina"; Can't interpret Bible directly word for word, puts blame on the different interpretations people have made; believes reason should be used, enlightenment ideas )

"They made the grave mistake of sprinkling these with passages taken from places in the Bible which they had failed to understand properly, and which were ill suited to their purposes" ...."They would have us altogether abandon reason and the evidence of our senses in favor of some biblical passage"

"A Plea for Tolerance and Reason" -Voltaire (Voltaire, "A Plea for Tolerance and Reason"; Tolerance is easy and doesn't require education; intolerance causes war, he wants tolerance and more religious freedom to prevent war; doesn't want people to be ignorant ;Voltaire, "A Plea for Tolerance and Reason"; Because no one really understands Christianity, there has been war; everyone interprets the religion differently, pro religious tolerance and less war )

"Tolerance has never brought civil war; intolerance has covered the earth with carnage" ..."No one has ever understood any of it [Christianity]"

"A Plea for Tolerance and Reason" -Voltaire (Voltaire, "A Plea for Tolerance and Reason"; Tolerance is easy and doesn't require education; intolerance causes war, he wants tolerance and more religious freedom to prevent war; doesn't want people to be ignorant ; Because no one really understands Christianity, there has been war; everyone interprets the religion differently, pro religious tolerance and less war

"Tolerance has never brought civil war; intolerance has covered the earth with carnage" ...."No one has ever understood any of it [Christianity]"

Bill of Rights John Newton, Thoughts Upon the African Slave Trade

After many years of playing a large role in the African Slave trade, minister ___________ began to question the morality involved. He began to support abolitionism. He said that in the slave trade the people who organize mutiny on the ships are treated as villains and punished. He refers to them as "creatures" and pities them when describing their punishments. Although he believes that the slave trade is immoral, he still talks about the slaves as if they are inhuman using words like Negros, uncivilized, savages, and creatures.

Cardinal Belarmine, Attack on the Copernican Theory

Although he believes in the _________________, he warns all that it is too dangerous, not because of the physical nature of it, but because it seems to be going against the church and the Holy Faith. He also suggests that the problem with the Christian faith is that they take everything literally therefore it would be a bad idea to bring this to their attention for they would not find anything in the Bible to back it up. He says that if there was true proof that this theory was true and it could be easily demonstrated to those of authority, than it would be worth it but until then they have no hope of proving their correct theory.

Bishop Jaques-Benigne Bossuet, Politics Drawn from the Very Words of the Holy Scripture

Argued that monarchs as well as priests did in fact get their divine authority from God. They not only have the power to rule but they have the power to kill anyone who brings evil to their rule. Princes are ministers of God and his leaders on earth. The royal throne is not a man's throne but God's throne. We as people of the earth must protect those Princes and Kings in charge and anyone who doesn't is punishable by death. "Fear God, Honor the King."

95 Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences, - Martin Luther

Author is completely against the modernization of Catholicism; specifically the selling of indulgences to purchase your way to heaven. Author believes that this new act interferes with Catholic morals including the idea of penance and community service.

Oration on the Dignity of Man, - Pico della Mirandola

Author's thoughts exemplified those of a true "Renaissance Man". The source is mainly about God's creation of the world and that God granted freedom to mankind to determine his/her destinies because they do not have a fixed place in the world when they are born. His new ideas toward the modern outlook on life emphasized the idea of humanism and God's creation of mankind. The emphasis on humanism allow for people to realize their true potentials and ability to better themselves. Author was a humanist and followed that kind of thinking-- focusing on the relation of the human to the divine. They saw humans as the best and center creations of God. He believes that man is supposed to be the intermediary between God and all creatures. Man is highest on the chain of being. He thought that God gave us the ability to shape our lives, not predestination, a modern way of thinking. Author thought that we were put of this earth to live in and wonder at its beauty.

Laura Cereta to Bibulus Sempronius: Defense of the Liberal Instruction of Women, - Laura Cereta (--> In 1488 she edited her letters, Epistolae Familiares)

Letter: Says that they should ashamed for thinking that: She has an equal mind to all men, That educated women are rare in the world, Stop pretending that to admire her as a female prodigy, To stop attacking all women, Mentions all the educated and successful women from ancient times and their accomplishments, Proves that women can be smart too, Knowledge is a gift, If you want something you have to fight for it

Las Casas v. Sepulveda Debate (In this debate, the two opposing figures are Bartolome de Las Casas and Juan Gines Sepulveda)

One person believed the Native Americans were free and deserved to be treated the same as others (according to Catholicism and advocated for cultural relativism. However, another person believed that Indians should be punished and therefore forced into slavery because of their differences (aka because they weren't Catholic).

Olaudah Equiano

Recounts the many hardships of the middle passage and the cruelties he suffered as a slave in America. Exposes the idea of internal trading in Africa. Describes the conditions the slaves were submitted to while traveling to America. Proves himself to have a religious faith and an accomplished education, yet he was still viewed as inferior because of his race.

Twelve Articles of the Swabian Peasants, - Martin Luther

These were a plea from the people for more power and authority. They referenced the scripture as justification for their demands. The interpreted it to their own benefit and complained about the current practices. The author eventually read these and criticized the people for making such large demands and twisting God's words in order to get what they so desired.

The Prince, - Niccolo Machiavelli

was a "how to" guide for new and current princes about how they should rule their kingdoms. This document was an important part of the development of Renaissance ideas and exemplified a typical piece of writing during the Renaissance. His negative view towards human nature, focus on the state, and separation from the church made him an important Renaissance leader.