The Renaissance

Mr. HedrichWorld History

Objective• Describe developments in Italy and

Northern Europe during the Renaissance period with respect to humanism, arts and literature, intellectual development, increased trade, and advances in technology.

The Middle Ages• Darkness

An Exit From the Middle Ages• The Middle Ages saw

numerous disasters in Europe

• The Black Death made daily life scary and dangerous– People turned to God during

these hard times, making the Church more powerful

• People concerned with getting to heaven, not life on earth

Rebirth• Europe began to grow and prosper after

the Black Death• Interest in individual ability began to

increase• Increasing wealth in areas created new

possibilities for enjoyment

The Renaissance• Renaissance Man

The Renaissance• Period of Western Europe

history between the 14th and 17th centuries

• The word “renaissance” means rebirth

• Blended ancient Greece with modern engineering and art to create a new style

• The Renaissance began in Italy– Spread through Europe

Why Italy?• Italy’s urban societies started

turning to a secular view of the world

• Brightest minds came• Italian thinkers became

interested in their ancient Roman culture

• Focus on individual ability– High regard for human worth– Well-rounded person was

capable of many achievements– “A Renaissance Man”

• New ideas largely accepted by the wealthy class

The Italian City-States• No strong central

government• Italian city-states remained

independent• City-states made riches from

trade, artists guilds, and banks– Florence, Milan, Venice

• Families and men ruled over their city-states– Used mercenaries to

take/maintain control– Similar to mafia dons

Florence• Cultural center of Italy

and birthplace of Renaissance

• Controlled by the Medici family– Cosimo loved art and

donated to the cause– Had money and

political power

Renaissance Society• Nobility

– Dominated society– Only 2 to 3% of

population– Expected to have

character and grace; classical education

– Showed off achievements

• Peasants and Townspeople– 85 to 90% of

European population– Peasants were slowly

gaining freedom– Townspeople saw new

jobs• Artists, bankers,

merchants– Poverty increased

New Thoughts on Power• Machiavelli

– Wrote The Prince– How to acquire and

keep power– Rejected the idea that

a ruler must have Christian principles

– Throw out moral principles

• “…[men] are ungrateful, fickle, liars, and deceivers, they shun danger and are greedy for profit.”

Machiavelli Continued• Qualities of a successful ruler/leader

– Use violence to hold power– Respect private property and traditions of

people– Can be excused from using violence

Machiavelli Continued• He believed that its best for a

ruler to be both loved and feared– Find greater security in being

feared• Religion is man-made and used

to keep the masses in check– Prince should make his people

religious• The end justifies the means

– Anything is reasonable if it leads to an important and meaningful result

• Has influenced many (Tupac Shakur)

Summary• Europe was coming out of the Middle Ages• Italy became the birthplace of a new found

interest in art and individuality– Birthplace of Renaissance

• Led to new thoughts on life, art, and science

• Did not effect everyone