Historical Context..?

Question

Directions: describe each of the following items by placing them into proper historical context using specific information and detail.

1. Renaissance

2. Treaty of Tordesillas

3. Spanish Armada

4. Walter Raleigh

5. Lord Baltimore

6. John Rolfe

7. James Oglethorpe

8. John Smith

9. joint-stock company

10. House of Burgesses

***I'm not asking you to do it for me, I'm asking you to explain the directions. Feel free to use any of the words as an example. By the way, there are 40 I only listed 10.

Basically, I'm having trouble with the whole "place them into proper historical context" concept. I kind of understand it, but not completely. I don't want to put too much information, but I don't want to not put enough, either. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks :)

Answer 1

LOL Yeah, bad question.

First, let me congratulate you on the PROPER use of this site!

I found this great definition of historical context for you -- and I think it will help you figure this out!

"the context is understood as the events, or the climate of opinion, that surround the issue at hand. They help to understand its urgency, its importance, its shape. What was happening at the time of the event or the decision that sheds some light on it? In what type of society did the event occur? An urban one? A rich one? An educated one?"

So, let's look at the Spanish Armada as an example. What was going on? War with Spain, a fight over Catholic vs. Protestant, etc. I'd mention Queen Elizabeth, the struggle for power, you get the idea.

Since you might want to read the whole article -- I think it will help even more, here's the link.

http://faculty.marianopolis.edu/c.belang...

Answer 2

I think what it's looking for is just enough information about what was going on in society generally that triggered these events or why that person/thing was important.

I agree it's kinda vague.

Answer 3

Historical context....they want you to build the rest of the context.

so, like, if the question were to have "Shakespeare", you would put that he was born during the reign of Elizabeth I of England, and outlived her, continuing to write during the reign of James I.  You might want to put in that there was a change in the religion of the country, and how that might have affected his plays.  That women were generally not allowed (historically) to go to the theater or to act, making it necessary to have men or boys act the parts of the women, and how THAT affected the plays, that there were probably fewer roles for women.

So, now, take that concept and extend it to the examples in your question...Renaissance came after___________, and manifested itself as ________________,  Art and culture, writing, etc., took on _____________________ characteristics.