Unit 1

Renaissance: The Origins of a Western Worldview

Lesson 2

What elements of the worldview of Renaissance Europeans led to exploration and expansionism?

Looking for new trade routes to the East was not the only reason Renaissance explorers were motivated to sail to unknown places.

You were introduced to the phrase God, Gold, Glory in the Introduction to this chapter.

Glory refers to the desire to become famous by finding new places and establishing one's own trade route. Explorers and monarchs wanted to gain prestige and power from the new discoveries.

This reflects the Renaissance worldview of belief in the power of individual people instead of just in God. People could find glory and admiration in seeking knowledge and new ideas.

To what do you think the other two words of the phrase refer?