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'''Leonardo da Vinci''' (1452-1519) embodied the “Renaissance man.”  He was an architect, anatomist, sculptor, scientist, mathematician, musician, and painter.  He created masterpieces such as the ''Mona Lisa'', the famous portrait of a plain-looking woman with an enigmatic smile, and ''The Last Supper'', a fabulous wall painting of Christ and the Twelve Apostles which, unfortunately, has not been well-preserved.  He kept notebooks full of anatomical drawings such as the Vitruvian Man.  It is said that Leonardo could draw with one hand while at the same time painting with the other, and he wrote backwards in his notebooks, so they would have to be held up to a mirror to be read.  He was way ahead of his time and created conceptual designs for many devices such as a flying machine and an armored tank.  He was the first to come up with the ideas of the calculator and the use of solar power for energy.   

'''Leonardo da Vinci''' (1452-1519) embodied the “Renaissance man.”  He was an architect, anatomist, sculptor, scientist, mathematician, musician, and painter.  He created masterpieces such as the ''Mona Lisa'', the famous portrait of a plain-looking woman with an enigmatic smile, and ''The Last Supper'', a fabulous wall painting of Christ and the Twelve Apostles which, unfortunately, has not been well-preserved.  He kept notebooks full of anatomical drawings such as the Vitruvian Man.  It is said that Leonardo could draw with one hand while at the same time painting with the other, and he wrote backwards in his notebooks, so they would have to be held up to a mirror to be read.  He was way ahead of his time and created conceptual designs for many devices such as a flying machine and an armored tank.  He was the first to come up with the ideas of the calculator and the use of solar power for energy.   

Characteristics of the Renaissance paintings include use of realism, perspective, individual persons (portraits) and frescoes.  '''Nature was not the subject of many Renaissance paintings; most of the paintings were of humans, and hence the name "humanism" is used to describe this period'''.  But do not be confused by that term, because the Renaissance artists were devout Christians, unlike the "humanists" of today.

Characteristics of the Renaissance paintings include use of realism, perspective, individual persons ([[portraits]]) and frescoes.  '''Nature was not the subject of many Renaissance paintings; most of the paintings were of humans, and hence the name "humanism" is used to describe this period'''.  But do not be confused by that term, because the Renaissance artists were devout Christians, unlike the "humanists" of today.

[[Image:Annibale Carracci 1585.jpg|right|300px]]

[[Image:Annibale Carracci 1585.jpg|right|300px]]

Martin Luther continued to write, and taught at a German university for his financial support.  He wrote extremely harsh things about the pope and about Jewish people, even urging the destruction of their homes and the burning of synagogues and schools.  Historians debate today whether Luther’s anti-Semitic (anti-Jewish) writings were responsible, directly or indirectly, for the Holocaust by the Germans in World War II.  Luther harshly criticized many peoples in addition to Jews; a pamphlet of his in 1545 was entitled “Against the Roman Papacy an Institution of the Devil,” and he urged burning witches to death. Some of Luther’s writings seem quite vulgar by today’s standards.  Luther was in poor health for several years before he died, in 1546.

Martin Luther continued to write, and taught at a German university for his financial support.  He wrote extremely harsh things about the pope and about Jewish people, even urging the destruction of their homes and the burning of synagogues and schools.  Historians debate today whether Luther’s anti-Semitic (anti-Jewish) writings were responsible, directly or indirectly, for the Holocaust by the Germans in World War II.  Luther harshly criticized many peoples in addition to Jews; a pamphlet of his in 1545 was entitled “Against the Roman Papacy an Institution of the Devil,” and he urged burning witches to death. Some of Luther’s writings seem quite vulgar by today’s standards.  Luther was in poor health for several years before he died, in 1546.

Today Lutheranism has about 70 million adherents, which is only about 7% of the Catholic population.  But nearly all Christians, including Catholics, have sung a famous hymn written by Luther:  “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”  Moreover, hundreds of millions of Christians worldwide agree with Luther that justification or salvation is by faith alone.

Today Lutheranism has about 70 million adherents, which is only about 7% as much as the Catholic population.  But nearly all Christians, including Catholics, have sung a famous hymn written by Luther:  “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”  Moreover, hundreds of millions of Christians worldwide agree with Luther that justification or salvation is by faith alone.

===The Schism in England===

===The Schism in England===

Martin Luther was not the first to protest against the Catholic Church, and to break away from it.  Wycliffe in England, discussed earlier in this lecture, was nearly 200 years before Luther.  Then, 100 years before Luther, John Huss (or Jan Hus) (1372-1415) was a preacher in Prague who picked up on Wycliffe’s views and spread them in northern and eastern Europe.  Born in southern Bohemia, Huss harshly criticized immorality in the clergy and preached a doctrine concerning the Eucharist that was considered to be heretical.  He was excommunicated by the Catholic Church in 1411.  A Council of Constance was convened under an “antipope” (not the official pope), and this Council tried Huss in 1414 and burned him at the stake, making him a martyr.  His followers, known as Hussites, successfully fought battles against the Holy Roman Empire.

Martin Luther was not the first to protest against the Catholic Church, and to break away from it.  Wycliffe in England, discussed earlier in this lecture, was nearly 200 years before Luther.  Then, 100 years before Luther, John Huss (or Jan Hus) (1372-1415) was a preacher in Prague who picked up on Wycliffe’s views and spread them in northern and eastern Europe.  Born in southern Bohemia, Huss harshly criticized immorality in the clergy and preached a doctrine concerning the Eucharist that was considered to be heretical.  He was excommunicated by the Catholic Church in 1411.  A Council of Constance was convened under an “antipope” (not the official pope), and this Council tried Huss in 1414 and burned him at the stake, making him a martyr.  His followers, known as Hussites, successfully fought battles against the Holy Roman Empire.

There was even internal strife within the Catholic Church in Italy in the late 1400s, before the Reformation.  A Dominican friar in Florence named Girolamo Savonarola (1452-1498) challenged the authority of the pope with fiery sermons and, after his excommunication, saying Mass without authority to do so.  His outspokenness against immorality in the Catholic Church and in the powerful Medici family won Savonarola many supporters at first, but eventually the people of Florence turned against him, stormed his monastery, took him prisoner, and then tried, convicted and hanged him.   

There was even internal strife within the Catholic Church in Italy in the late 1400s, before the Reformation.  A Dominican friar in Florence named Girolamo Savonarola (1452-1498) challenged the authority of the pope with fiery sermons and, after his excommunication, would provide Mass without authority to do so.  His outspokenness against immorality in the Catholic Church and in the powerful Medici family won Savonarola many supporters at first, but eventually the people of Florence turned against him, stormed his monastery, took him prisoner, and then tried, convicted and hanged him.   

There was a Reformation in Switzerland started by Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531) and continued by John Calvin (1509-1564), who emphasized justification by faith alone and also predestination.  Predestination is a doctrine stating that the decision about who goes to Heaven and who to Hell was made before the creation of the world, and this differentiates Calvinism from other Christian denominations.  It is not obvious how predestination can be reconciled with free will, and most Christians reject predestination, but Calvinists say that both free will and predestination exist.  Calvin established a theocracy in Geneva, Switzerland.

There was a Reformation in Switzerland started by Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531) and continued by John Calvin (1509-1564), who emphasized justification by faith alone and also predestination.  Predestination is a doctrine stating that the decision about who goes to Heaven and who to Hell was made before the creation of the world, and this differentiates Calvinism from other Christian denominations.  It is not obvious how predestination can be reconciled with free will, and most Christians reject predestination, but Calvinists say that both free will and predestination exist.  Calvin established a theocracy in Geneva, Switzerland.

Another denomination called “Anabaptists” developed based on adult baptism and a strict separation of church and state.  The Quakers, Baptists, Amish and Mennonites, including many in this country, are from the Anabaptists.  The Quakers are essentially “protestant” of any Christian denomination that has a paid clergy, because the Quakers reject the concept of a paid clergy.  In a sense, Quakers are "Protestant Protestants," protesting against even organized Protestant denominations.  Another denomination, the Presbyterian Church, arose in Scotland, founded by John Knox.

Another denomination called “Anabaptists” developed based on adult baptism and a strict separation of church and state.  The Quakers, Baptists, Amish and Mennonites, including many in this country, are from the Anabaptists.  The Quakers are essentially “protestant” of any Christian denomination that has a paid clergy, because the Quakers reject the concept of a paid clergy.  In a sense, Quakers are "Protestant Protestants," protesting against even organized Protestant denominations.  Another denomination, the Presbyterian Church, arose in Scotland, founded by John Knox.

Today, there are over 33,000 Protestant denominations in 238 countries, increasing at a rate of about 270 to 300 new denominations each year.<ref>''See'' the World Christian Encyclopedia (2001) by David B. Barrett, et al.</ref>  Protestants total 590 million today, about 27% of the worldwide Christian population, though it is not always clear whether a Christian denomination should be labeled as “Protestant”.  Is the Anglican Church, which has 73 million adherents, properly called “Protestant”?

Today, there are over 33,000 Protestant denominations in 238 countries, increasing at a rate of about 270 to 300 new denominations each year.<ref>''See'' the World Christian Encyclopedia (2001) by David B. Barrett, et al.</ref>  Protestants total 590 million today, about 27% of the worldwide Christian population, though it is not always clear whether a Christian denomination should be labeled as “Protestant”.  Is the Anglican Church, which has more than 10% of the total, properly called “Protestant”?  Many Anglicans would answer, “no”.  Are Mormons “Protestant”?

A majority of the United States has always been Protestant, as has nearly every president except John F. Kennedy (who was Catholic).  Nearly every Founder of the United States was Protestant.

A majority of the United States has always been Protestant, as has nearly every president except John F. Kennedy (who was Catholic).  Nearly every Founder of the United States was Protestant.

The immediate effect of the Reformation was to strengthen the nation-state.  England and Germany acquired their own churches, and that meant Rome was no longer the center of power.  Catholics and Protestants began competing against each other, seeking to increase their numbers.  Both started building better schools, and overall began trying harder.

The immediate effect of the Reformation was to strengthen the nation-state.  England and Germany acquired their own churches, and that meant Rome was no longer the center of power.  Catholics and Protestants began competing against each other, seeking to increase their numbers.  Both started building better schools, and overall began trying harder.

The Reformation resulted in the translation of the Bible into local languages, which increased the use of "vernacular" (local languages) and decreased reliance on old Latin.

The Reformation resulted in the translation of the Bible into local languages, which increased the use of "vernacular" (local languages) and decreased reliance on Latin.

The bad news is that for more than a hundred years, and even longer in England, religious wars raged between Catholics and Protestants.  Tragically, Christians killed other Christians over religious differences.  To this day the division between Catholics and Protestants weakens Christianity in several respects and makes it easier for enemies of Christianity to prevail.  Often anti-Christians will try to drive a wedge between Christians and cause disagreements that would not otherwise arise, in order to gain advantage against all Christians.

The bad news is that for more than a hundred years, and even longer in England, religious wars raged between Catholics and Protestants.  Tragically, Christians killed other Christians over religious differences.  To this day the division between Catholics and Protestants weakens Christianity in several respects and makes it easier for enemies of Christianity to prevail.  Often anti-Christians will try to drive a wedge between Christians and cause disagreements that would not otherwise arise, in order to gain advantage against all Christians.

The massive continent of Asia is divided into “South Asia” (India), “East Asia” (China, Japan and Korea), “Southeast Asia” (Vietnam and Cambodia), and “Southwest Asia” (the Middle East).  In this section we learn about East and Southeast Asia, discussing in particular what happened in China in the Middle Ages (other than the Mongols, whom we discussed in our prior lecture).

The massive continent of Asia is divided into “South Asia” (India), “East Asia” (China, Japan and Korea), “Southeast Asia” (Vietnam and Cambodia), and “Southwest Asia” (the Middle East).  In this section we learn about East and Southeast Asia, discussing in particular what happened in China in the Middle Ages (other than the Mongols, whom we discussed in our prior lecture).

Recall that in the ancient world China first had the Zhou dynasty (1122-221 B.C.) north of the Yangtze River.  Next China had its first imperial or national Chinese dynasty:  the Qin or Ch’in dynasty (221-206 B.C.), which was founded by the ruler of the Zhou vassal state Qin, Prince Zheng.  The Qin dynasty began to construct the Great Wall to defend against foreign invaders, which stretches today for 1,400 miles.  It has been said that the Great Wall is the only man-made structure visible from outer space, but actually several other structures (ancient Egyptian pyramids and the Hoover Dam) are even more visible.<ref>http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/visible_from_space_031006.html</ref>

Recall that in the ancient world China first had the Zhou dynasty (1027-221 B.C.) north of the Yangtze River.  Next China had its first imperial or national Chinese dynasty:  the Qin or Ch’in dynasty (221-206 B.C.), which was founded by the ruler of the Zhou vassal state Qin, Prince Zheng.  The Qin dynasty began to construct the Great Wall to defend against foreign invaders, which stretches today for 1,400 miles.  It has been said that the Great Wall is the only man-made structure visible from outer space, but actually several other structures (ancient Egyptian pyramids and the Hoover Dam) are even more visible.<ref>http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/visible_from_space_031006.html</ref>

The Han empire or dynasty (206 B.C. to A.D. 220, with only a brief interruption from A.D. 6-23) built on the foundation of the Qin dynasty, extending the walls and roads.  The Han dynasty expanded the territory of China into Southeastern Asia regions of Vietnam and Korea, and administered the country from a centralized and organized civil service.  This Han dynasty was comparable to the Roman empire, and lasted the longest of any dynasty in China.  Its state philosophy was Confucianism.  But the Han dynasty fell just as the Roman empire did.   

The Han empire or dynasty (206 B.C. to A.D. 220, with only a brief interruption from A.D. 6-23) built on the foundation of the Qin dynasty, extending the walls and roads.  The Han dynasty expanded the territory of China into Southeastern Asia regions of Vietnam and Korea, and administered the country from a centralized and organized civil service.  This Han dynasty was comparable to the Roman empire, and lasted the longest of any dynasty in China.  Its state philosophy was Confucianism.  But the Han dynasty fell just as the Roman empire did.   

The Sui dynasty established centralized rule in China in A.D. 589 for the first time since the Han dynasty in A.D. 220.  In other words, China went without a centralized government for over 300 years, from 220 to the establishment of the Sui Dynasty in 589.   

The Sui dynasty established centralized rule in China in A.D. 589 for the first time since the Han dynasty in A.D. 220.  In other words, China went without a centralized government for over 300 years, from 220 to the establishment of the Sui Dynasty in 589.   

The Sui dynasty ruled for only a very brief period of 29 years, until A.D. 618.  But in that brief period of time it accomplished something magnificent:  it built the Grand Canal to connect northern and southern China.  This tremendous engineering achievement consisted of a canal nearly 1240 miles long, with a road running alongside it on each side.  It enabled the transportation of agricultural products such as rice from the fertile Yangtze River valley to northern China.   

The Sui dynasty ruled for only a very brief period of 29 years, until A.D. 618.  But in that brief period of time it accomplished something magnificent:  it built the Grand Canal to connect northern and southern China.  This tremendous engineering achievement established a canal nearly 1240 miles long, with a road running alongside it on each side.  It enabled the transportation of agricultural products such as rice from the fertile Yangtze River valley to northern China.   

Other construction also occurred, such as repairing walls that defend China.  (The current “Great Wall of China” was based on walls built as early as 210 B.C., but its present form was not completed until the Ming dynasty (A.D. 1368-1544)).   

Other construction also occurred, such as repairing walls that defend China.  (The current “Great Wall of China” was based on walls built as early as 210 B.C., but its present form was not completed until the Ming dynasty (A.D. 1368-1544)).   

The Lu dynasty of Vietnam ruled from 1009 to 1225 and established a capital at Hanoi, which remains the capital to this day.   

The Lu dynasty of Vietnam ruled from 1009 to 1225 and established a capital at Hanoi, which remains the capital to this day.   

The Vietnamese have always been fierce fighters.  They defeated three attempts by the mighty Mongols to conquer Hanoi in the late 1200s.

The Vietnamese have always been fierce fighters.  They defeated three attempts by the mighty Mongols to conquer Hanoi in the late 1200s, defeated France in the 1950s, and defeated the United States in the Vietnam War in the 1960s and early 1970s.

Historians describe the treatment of women in Vietnam as having been better than in China.

Historians describe the treatment of women in Vietnam as having been better than in China.