Chapter 17European Renaissance and Reformation

What can you learn from art?

Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance

Italy: Birthplace of the RenaissanceMiddle Ages had war and suffering from the

plagueChurch taught Christians to endure

suffering while awaiting reward in heavenPeople began to question

Italy: Birthplace of the RenaissanceItaly’s Advantages

Renaissance – explosion of creativity in art, writing and thought that lasted from 1300 to 1600

Wanted a return to classical Greek and Roman eraNew styles of art, literature and valuesSpread from Italy throughout Europe3 reasons for Renaissance in Italy

1. Thriving cities – trade from crusades and higher wages from fewer workers

2. Wealthy merchant class – merchants dominated politics through merit, not birth, individual achievement became important Medici family (banking)

3. Greek and Roman heritage

Italy: Birthplace of the RenaissanceHumanism – focused on human potential

and achievements and didn’t link thoughts to church teachingsHistory, literature and philosophy studiedCan enjoy life without offending God (goods,

food, clothing and music)Secular – worldly rather than spiritual and

concerned with the here and nowSome church leaders live in mansions and

wore lavish clothesPatrons – financially support artists

Italy: Birthplace of the RenaissanceRenaissance man – excelled in many fields

and studied many subjects (charming, witty, dance, sing, play music, well read, and write poetry)

Renaissance woman – well educated but not to seek fame, inspire, but not create art, not involved in politics

Italy: Birthplace of the RenaissanceArt

Perspective – three dimensions on a flat surface

Realistic paintings and sculpturesLeonardo Da Vinci – painter, sculptor,

inventor and scientistMona Lisa and The Last Supper

WritersVernacular – native language instead of LatinWrote about self-expression or individuality

Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance

Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance

Italy: Birthplace of the RenaissanceWriters

Vernacular – native language instead of LatinWrote about self-expression or individuality

The Northern RenaissanceBy 1450 population was growing again in

EuropeMerchant class grew and ideas spread to

Northern Italy and elsewhereWar in Italy forced writers and artists to

move north into EuropeArtists focused on realism in the northFlanders has many artists who paint with

oil and make clothing and jewelry

The Northern RenaissanceWriters were humanists and critical of the

church not inspiring people.They promoted education for all even

though girls were shortchangedErasmus wrote of Christianity of the heart

not of ceremonies and rules.Thomas More, Utopia, an ideal place with

no war, corruption or greed

The Northern RenaissanceElizabethan Age

Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603)Spoke 5 languagesWrote poetry and music while promoting the

artsWilliam Shakespeare

Greatest playwright of all timeGreat use of language and emotionHamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King

Lear and A Midsummer Night’s Dream

The Northern RenaissancePrinting press by Johann Gutenberg spreads

ideas (1444) and Bible (1455)More info. available cheapIncreased desire for learning and literacyPublished accounts of new discoveries and

mapsPublished legal proceedings and laws

Renaissance idea of dignity of the individual gave rise to democratic ideals as people began to question society

Luther Leads the ReformationBy 10th century Catholic church dominates

life in N and W EuropePeople began criticizing church practicesChurch authority was challengedPrinting press helped spread ideas negative

to the churchChart on page 488Criticisms included: corruption, lavish

spending, infidelity, poorly educated priests, marrying, drinking and gambling

Luther Leads the ReformationMartin Luther was a monk and a teacher

who wanted to be a good Christian95 Theses – formal statements attacking

church practicesJohann Tetzel raised money through

indulgences (pay for a pardon of sins) which gave the impression that you could buy your way into heaven.

Posted on church door in Wittenberg, Luther’s ideas were spread by the printing press

Reformation – a movement for religious reform in opposition to the Catholic church’s teachings

Luther Leads the ReformationLuther’s Teachings

Win salvation by faith in God’s forgivenessTeaching based on the Bible not the pope or church

traditionsAll people with faith were equal

Response to LutherLuther was excommunicated and burned the pope’s decreeLuther declared an outlaw and heretic by the kingEstablished a separate group called the LutheransPeasants revolt based on Luther’s works and are crushed

(100,000 dead)Protestant comes from protesting princesCHART PAGE 491Peace of Augsburg allows princes to decide religion of

territory after a war

Luther Leads the ReformationEngland becomes Protestant

Henry VIII wants a male heir and wanted to divorce 42 year old Catherine for a younger bride

Church law did not allow divorce and annulment wasn’t an option

Henry has parliament change the law, divorces then marries Ann Boleyn and has himself made head of the English church

Ann beheaded after giving birth to Elizabeth. Next wife Jane has son Edward and dies. Henry married 3 more times.

Edward King at 9 reigned 6 years, then Catherine who returned to Catholic church and executed Protestants

Luther Leads the ReformationQueen Elizabeth I

1558 Catherine dies and Elizabeth becomes queen

She restores Protestantism and establishes the Anglican church

Priests can marry and sermons were in English

Catholics try to overthrow her and she faces other threats

A shortage of money also challenged her rule

The Reformation ContinuesJohn Calvin (Calvinism)

French follower of LutherMore personal faith and congregants have

control over churchInstitutes of Christian ReligionMen and women sinful by nature and God

chooses who can be saved (predestination)Theocracy – government controlled by

religious leaders

The Reformation ContinuesOther Protestant Reformers

Protestants – Bible is the source of all religious truth

Anabaptists – baptized a 2nd time when old enough to decide to be ChristiansSeparation of church and state

Women had influence, but church duties were limited as they were to serve in the home

The Reformation ContinuesThe Catholic Reformation (Counter Reformation)

Millions still remained Catholic and a movement occurred to keep Catholics loyal

Ignatius of Loyola and Popes Paul III and Paul IV were reformers

Jesuits – founded schools, converted non-Christians to Catholicism and stop the spread of Protestantism

Council of TrentChurch interpretation of the Bible was finalNeeded faith and good works for salvation. (Luther = faith

alone)Bible and Church tradition were equally powerfulIndulgences had to be appropriate but were still valid

The Reformation ContinuesBook burnings occur of certain books selected by

the Catholic churchReformation set the stage for the modern worldProtestant churches and denominations flourishedCatholic church became more unifiedEducation became more important with schools,

colleges and universities being foundedStatus of women in church and society did not

changeMonarchs gain power and nation states ariseSet the framework for the Enlightenment in late

1700s (Chapter 22)