In the 21st century, we see the Renaissance as the era when the modern western worldview began to develop
-100 0 100 200
The Renaissance stretched from 1350 CE to 1600 CECE – Common Era. (BCE – Before Common Era)
Era – a historical time period
It comes from the French word renaître“to be born again”
The First Century (CE)
1 - 100
101 - 200
The Second Century (CE)
Picture of Michelangelo showing a pupil the Belvedere Torso. The torso was created by an Athenian sculptor and was lost during the time of the fall of the Roman Empire. When found, it influenced the artists during the renaissance.
It was a rebirth of ideas that were discovered when Europeans came into contact with forgotten Greek and Roman ways of thinking, and ways of looking at the world.The ideas that were being kept by Muslim and
Jewish scholars.
How did the Renaissance Begin?Because of the contact with other cultures,
there was an increased amount of ideas being shared, and by the end of the 1300’s change was happening more rapidly.
During the middle ages, a majority of Europeans shared a religious worldview put in place by the Roman Catholic ChurchThe poor accepted they would suffer and live
short lives, but be rewarded in heavenThe rich would donate money and land to the
church, to be rewarded in heaven
How Did the Growth of Cities Contribute to a Changing Worldview?
TradeBy the late middle ages, Europeans wanted more
exotic items that were brought back by the crusadersMany of the cities that grew were port cities.
Some people established businesses to provide goods for city residents
Industries began to specialize in goods and trade.Workers began to find and create jobs that were not
part of the feudal systemSome communities became so prosperous and powerful,
they became city-statesIndividuals begin to feel a sense of belonging to their
larger community
UrbanizationMany of the peasants
thought they could find safety and work in the cities
Land owners didn’t have workers, so they moved to the cities and started businesses
Examples Question!Which of the following exemplifies
urbanization??a) People moving from Calgary to Okotoksb) People moving from Canada to Europec) People moving from Alberta to Ontariod) People moving from High River to
Edmonton
*Copy this question down in your notes to help you while studying!
Cities prospered in Italy because;Mountains to the north helped
protect Italy from invadersTrading cities began to thrive in
ItalyThe ruins from Roman times
reminded people of how effective that style of government was
The feudal system was not strong in Italy due to urban lifestyle
The pope moved his court to France leaving Italians without much interference from the Church
City States Emerged!
An independent society governed by itself, with little outside influence.
Most of those city states were controlled by despots or by oligarchies
Some of the city states in Italy signed a treaty, backed by the papacy, that would not allow any one city state to become powerful enough to threaten or overthrow any other city
Define each of the bolded terms at the bottom of your notes!
The Success of the City-States 1. Geography: Of all of Europe, Italy was the
closest to the ports of the Mediterranean sea making trading very easy.
2. Climate: The climate of Italy was milder than other places, meaning that trade travel was not interrupted by harsh winters.
3. Leadership: Northern Italy was a collection of independent city-states (not ruled by one King or Queen). They had their own armies, governments, and wealth. Florence, Venice, Genoa and Milan grew into the wealthiest trading, business and banking centers of Europe.
4. Social Organizations: Feudalism did not have as large as an impact in Italy as the rest of Europe.
City States: Jigsaw Activity!Group 1- Florence Group 4- VeniceGroup 2- Venice Group 5- FlorenceGroup 3- Genoa Group 6- Genoa
Your Task: Read your city-state’s assigned pages in your text book and describe the following:
a) Political System e) Any famous peopleb) Economic system f) Interesting factsc) Social System g) What were they known
for?d) Any unique features h) In what ways can you see
changes in the worldview of your city-state since the
Middle ages?
Your classmates are depending on the notes that you provide for them! Take
your time and learn as much as you can! You will be the
expert on your city-state
How Did Florence Reflect the Renaissance Worldview?Political and economic systems
Was a city-state (a city that governs itself and the countryside around it)
Built by the Arno River which has been a trade route for centuries
Center for highly successful bankers and silk wool merchantsRichest of the city statesEventually run by one powerful family, the Medici’s p. 36
Social Systems Merchants became wealthier and moved up in class systems Organized guilds (organisation of craftsmen of merchants) Similar to today’s unions
Culture The Medici’s fostered Renaissance culture Supported all kinds of arts and new knowledge Promoted ideals of citizenship
The Medici Family of Florence!A powerful influence in Florence for 3
centuries.
They controlled the government, paid for churches, supported famous artists, studied the work of the ancient Romans, and held social events.
How Did Venice Contribute to the Italian Renaissance? Located between the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Europe Controlled most of the ports in the Adriatic Sea and the Eastern
Mediterranean Sea Trade items passed and shipped through Venice Social Systems
Three classes in Venice Aristocracy (nobility) Original citizens Common people
Government Venice was a republic Head of government called the doge (often the doge voted in by rich,
influential families) Scuole
New social institutions tied to religious beliefs (collected money , prayed, held masses)
How Did Venice Contribute to the Italian Renaissance?
Venice became an important city-state for many reasonsStable governmentMost successful in sea tradeStrong naval baseUpper class supported to artsBecame the center for the European book
tradeHad a famous university that promoted the
study of science, medicine, and law
How Did Genoa Reflect the Renaissance Worldview?Was a crossroads of traffic and culture between western
Europe and the MediterraneanCrusaders who came into the city paid the Genoans for
their services and granted them important trading privileges
Founded a powerful bank due to the increase in tradeVenice and Genoa fought for trade posts in the
Mediterranean until the Peace of Turin in 1381The peace allowed Genoa to focus and grow its business
and trade sectorsWealthy families paid for creation of daring architectureHired master artists from Rome, Florence and Venice to
beautify homes and public buildings
What did the Italian City-States have in common?
Located on important trade routesCommercial centers (trade and selling)Populations of more than 100,000Hierarchical social class systemsThe wealthy were patrons of art
* All three prospered economically because they were situated along the coast and served as popular trading
routes for centuries. This allowed them to become wealthy and powerful.