Building Background

• By the 1300’s the horrors of the Black Death had passed, and people begin worrying less about dying and more on living.

• The 2 main causes for the Renaissance are:1. The crusades increased trade

between Europe and Asia.2. Roman and Greek art,

literature, and learning come back to Europe.

Trade with Asia: The Silk Road Reopens

• The silk road was used during the 1 A.D. – 300 A.D. But closed after the Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire fell, since no soldiers were their to protect traders.

• In the 1200’s the Mongols conquer China and once again makes the road safe for travel.

Trade with Asia: Marco Polo • Came from Venice with his

family and is one of the more important traders that used the silk road.

• He lived in China for 20yrs. During this time he was an govt. official for the Mongol Emperor Kublai Kahn and wrote about the his travels and experiences.

• Through Marco Polo’s stories more European’s wanted Asian goods. Trade increase!!!

Trade Cities in Italy

• During the 1300’s their were 4 major trade cities that thrived.– Milan – Florence– Venice– Genoa

• All grew through commerce = buying and selling of a large quantity of goods.

Trade Cities in Italy• These cities played 2 important

roles in trade.1. They were the main port cities on

the Mediterranean Sea. Spices and other luxuries were brought in from Asia, then were shipped out all over Europe.

2. They were manufacturing centers. Each city had specialized tasks.– Venice = glass– Milan = weapons and silk– Florence = wool to cloth– Genoa = boat building

• All of this increased wealth made Italy the focus of European Culture.

Florence Grows in Wealth• Florence is an example of a

great trade city with large amount of wealth coming in during the 1300’s.– Started with wool trade and grew

because of banking• Bankers kept money from

traders all over Europe.– Made money from loans and

charging interest• Interest = a fee charged by

lenders to people who borrow money from them.

***The fee is usually a % of the loan. ***

Florence’s Greatest Family: Medici

• The greatest bankers in Florence was the Medici Family.

• In the 1400’s they were the richest family which gave them political power to control the city.

• Together this family ruled Florence.

The Medici Family Influence• The Medici wanted

Florence to be beautiful.• They hired artists and

architects to redesign many buildings.

• They improved education; mostly because they needed bankers who could read, write, and do math.

• Florence became the center of Italian art, culture, and literature

Cosimo

Lorenzo

Lorenzo De’ Medici School

The Birth of the Renaissance• Florence is considered the

birthplace of the Renaissance.

• Renaissance = means “rebirth.” A period that followed the Middle Ages.

• Love of art and education was a key feature of this time.

• Interest in Art and literature (Greek & Roman) was reborn.

The Renaissance • During the Middle Ages, most art

and education focused on religion.

• By the 1300’s scholars broadened their interests. They studied– Poetry– History– Art– Language (Greek & Roman)

• These subjects were known as Humanities.

• Humanities stressed the importance of human abilities, actions, and activities rather than of God.