The Renaissance and the Protestant Reformation

Renaissance - Summary• The Renaissance is considered the start of Modern times

because it is more like today. • Medieval life was kind of a dark life. In the Middle Ages, life

was just a short interlude until death, and poverty was respected. The clergy were next to God. In the Middle Ages people were seen basically as scum and God was vengeful. Their whole lives revolved around God.

• By the time of the Renaissance, big changes had occurred: Barbarians, the Vikings, and Magyars were gone. Now there were strong central monarchies throughout most of Europe. Papacy and feudalism had declined. People were getting sick of the old attitudes

What Was the Renaissance?

Circa 1300 - 1600. It is impossible to date precisely because it refers to a period, not an event. The Renaissance "began" in Florence, Italy. "Renaissance" means "rebirth" because it was believed that the human spirit had to be reawakened as it was in the classical (Greco-Roman) times.

A New World View

A new "world view" was created - the way one looked at and answered basic questions:

• What are humans?• What is the purpose of life?• Why am I here?

Why the Renaissance Started in Italy

There was a revival in trade during the Middle Ages, and Italy was the trading center between Europe and the East. The Crusades brought people from all over and they shared ideas. This led to merchants and bankers buying libraries and works of art; this encouraged art, literature, and learning. Italians were surrounded by remnants of ancient Roman culture.

A New Conception of Human Beings

• Individualism. People thought it right to be themselves - the great man can shape his own destiny

• Humanism. Humans are the center of the universe and the "measure of all things."

• Well-Roundness. Humans could do well at many things: "The Renaissance Man."

• Classicism. People revived an interest in ancient Greece and Rome

A New Conception of the World

• Skepticism. Humans began to have a questioning attitude and challenged tradition and authority.

• Secularism. They believed life on earth was more important than the afterlife. There was greater emphasis on this life and less on the afterlife and on God - the world is to be enjoyed.

Protestant Reformation

Martin Luther

Desiderius Erasmus Queen Elizabeth

One of the most notable works of the Renaissance

Protestant Reformation• The Protestant Reformation is the name given to

a religious and political development in the early 16th century.

• The reformation was led by Martin Luther, a monk from Germany.

• He said that the Roman Catholic church was corrupt and that it should be reformed.

• Began in 1517 when Martin Luther published The Ninety-Five Theses, and concluded in 1648 with the Treaty of Westphalia that ended years of European religious wars.

Reasons for Religious Upheaval

• People were concerned with the extravagance of the church.

• The Middle Class wanted more control. • Increasing clashes between Kings and the

Church. • There were new beliefs about humans as a

result of the Renaissance.

Luther’s Reformation• Luther argued that a reformation was required with regards: – the language that the Bible was produced in: most people

couldn't read Latin; – the selling of forgiveness, this was considered to be

immoral by Luther but had been standard practice by some monks and priests for years.

– The church should be changed, or reformed, so that it was less greedy, fairer and accessible to all people, not just the rich and well educated.

• Luther gained a lot of support for his ideas. Many people were unhappy with the Pope and the church.

The Protestant Reformation in England• King Henry VIII was initially opposed to the ideas of Luther. • However after the Split with Rome, Henry VIII ordered Bibles to

be published in English and took much money and land from the church.

• Henry did this for political gains, not because he supported the ideas of Luther.

• Because of his actions Henry VIII laid the foundations of Protestantism in England which under the rule of Edward and Elizabeth would transform England from a Catholic to a Protestant nation.

• By 1603 the Protestant Reformation in this country was complete.