Answer :
Final answer:
The Enlightenment did not contribute to the initial expansion of European peoples and cultures after 1450 as it occurred later in the 18th century, whereas the Renaissance, Reformation, and Scientific Revolution all played significant roles during that period of expansion.
Explanation:
The question seeks to identify which cultural and intellectual movement did not contribute to the expansion of European peoples and cultures after 1450.
The options given are:
- Renaissance (14th-16th centuries)
- Reformation (16th and 17th centuries)
- Enlightenment (18th century)
- Scientific Revolution
The Renaissance was a period of renewed interest in art, learning, and the ancient texts of the Greeks and Romans, which led to developments in many areas including the arts, politics, and science. The Reformation challenged the Catholic Church and led to religious and cultural changes throughout Europe. The Scientific Revolution introduced a systematic way of thinking about the natural world, paving the way for modern science and encouraging exploration and discovery.
The Enlightenment did not occur until the 18th century, after the period in question, and while its ideas of rationality, empiricism, and critique of religious authority had a profound impact on European thought and the global cultural landscape, it did not directly spur the initial expansion that took place following 1450.