The Renaissance1350 C.E. – 1600 C.E.
The Italian RenaissanceTerm Renaissance literally means rebirthPeriod of European History that began in Italy and
spread to rest of EuropeThree (3) main characteristics
Urban Society – powerful city-states became centers of Italian political, economic, and social life Secular – more worldly view point, less religious
Age of recovery – disasters of 14th century included Black Death, political instability, decline in church power
Rise of Humanism – new view of humans and their abilities Leon Battista Alberti – “Men can do all things if they will.”
A Renaissance ManPainterSculptorArchitectInventorMathematicianResponsible for:
Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, Vitruvian Man
Mona LisaLeonardo da Vinci – Circa 1503-1506
The Last Supper
Leonardo da Vinci – Circa 1494-1498 C.E.
The Vitruvian Man
Leonardo da Vinci – Circa 1490 C.E.
Rise of Italian City-StatesDuring Middle Ages, Italy failed to have a
single, centralized, monarchyCity-States developed independently in
Northern & Central ItalyCity-States: Milan, Florence, & Venice
Expanded and played important roles in Italian politics
Trade stimulated economic growthIncreased trading because of Crusades
Goods from the East; silks, sugar, & spices
Early Trade Routes
Renaissance Italy Circa 1500 C.E.
Powerful Italian City-StatesMilan VeniceFrancesco SforzaLeader of
Mercenary bandStrong centralized
stateVery efficient tax
system
Elected leader called Doge
Trade empire was extremely profitable
International PowerLocation, Location,
Location
FlorenceRuled by the Medici Family
Ruled behind the scenes with influence and wealth
Cultural center of Renaissance ItalyExperience period of decline
Focus on manufacture and trade of clothIncreased competition from English and
Flemish cloth makers
The Italian Wars 1494 C.E.Growth of strong monarchial states in Europe
led to problems for Northern ItalyFrench king, Charles VIII leads army into
kingdom of Naples (southern Italy)Northern Italian city-states seek help from
the SpanishSpanish and French turned Italy into
battleground for 30 yrsTurning Point = 1527 C.E. Spanish king,
Charles I’s army along with mercenaries from other countries sack Rome
Renaissance & PoliticsNiccolo Machiavelli –
wrote The Prince, one of the most influential works on political power in the Western world
Central Theme – how to acquire and keep political power
Continues to be read & studied today
Renaissance SocietyDivided into 3 estates, social
classesNobilityPeasantsClergy
Each class had a set of ideal traits & characteristicsNobles = Baldassare
Castiglione wrote The Book of the Courtier Described the “perfect”
noble
Peasants & TownspeopleMade up the largest estate, 85 – 90%Decrease in number of serfs, many moved to cities
once they became freeTownspeople had a hierarchy
PatriciansWealth from trade, industry, banking gave them
power & influenceBurghers
Shopkeepers, artisans, guildmastersWorkers & unemployed
Poverty rose dramatically during 13th & 14th centuries
Family & MarriageFamily unit was very important to
societyFather/Husband was head of household
Many arranged marriagesDowry – sum of money paid to husband by wife’s family upon marriage
Father had to formally free children
Impact of the Printing PressJohannes Gutenberg of Germany1455 C.E. prints the Gutenberg BibleAllows information and ideas to spread
extremely fast
On a separate sheet of paper…What does the term
Renaissance mean?What are the 3
characteristics of the Italian Renaissance?
What does it mean to have a secular view?
Name one of Leonardo’s great masterpieces.
What were the main 3 city-states discussed in class?
What is a mercenary?What 2 countries turned
Italy into their battlefield?
Who wrote the book The Prince?
What was The Prince about?
What were the 3 estates of Renaissance society?
Name the book that described the ideal noble.
Continued…In 1455 C.E.,
what book was printed by Johannes Gutenberg and had a major impact on European society?
Who was at the top of the social ladder in urban society?
What is a dowry?
Who was in charge of the family unit during the Renaissance period?
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