Renaissance (Rebirth)Renaissance (Rebirth)A New Vision of Humanity A New Vision of Humanity

1450 – 16001450 – 1600

St. Peter's BasilicaSt. Peter's Basilica St. Peter's BasilicaSt. Peter's Basilica is a is a

Late Renaissance church located within church located within the the Vatican City. .

It is regarded as one of the holiest It is regarded as one of the holiest Christian sites. Christian sites.

It has the largest interior of any Christian It has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world, holding 60,000 church in the world, holding 60,000 people.people.

It is the burial site of It is the burial site of Saint Peter, who was one of the , who was one of the twelve apostles of of Jesus and first Bishop of Rome. and first Bishop of Rome.

Saint Peter's tomb, along with many other Popes is Saint Peter's tomb, along with many other Popes is directly below the altar of the basilica.directly below the altar of the basilica.

Construction of the present basilica began on April Construction of the present basilica began on April 18, 1506 and was completed on November 18, 1626.18, 1506 and was completed on November 18, 1626.

The Italian Renaissance It originated in Italy around 1300.It originated in Italy around 1300.

These new ideas were well-received and These new ideas were well-received and flourished throughout Italy.flourished throughout Italy.

By 1500, these new ideas had also By 1500, these new ideas had also reached Northern parts of Europe.reached Northern parts of Europe.

Understanding the Beginnings of Understanding the Beginnings of the Renaissance:the Renaissance: To understand the beginnings of the Renaissance, you To understand the beginnings of the Renaissance, you

must go back +/- 800 yrs, to the fall of the Roman must go back +/- 800 yrs, to the fall of the Roman Empire. Empire.

For 1 000 yrs, Rome ruled most of Europe, bringing For 1 000 yrs, Rome ruled most of Europe, bringing advancements in technology, learning and government. advancements in technology, learning and government.

Once Rome fell to invaders in 542 CE, Western Europe Once Rome fell to invaders in 542 CE, Western Europe fell into a fell into a stagnantstagnant* period known as the Middle Ages. * period known as the Middle Ages.

*Not advancing or developing*Not advancing or developing

Society regressed; People did not venture far from their Society regressed; People did not venture far from their small villages. small villages.

Local lords ruled by force and intimidation.Local lords ruled by force and intimidation.

Learning took place only in religious houses.Learning took place only in religious houses.

Europeans grew up ignorant, illiterate, and superstitious.Europeans grew up ignorant, illiterate, and superstitious.

Peasants and serfs did not find life beautiful or intriguing. Peasants and serfs did not find life beautiful or intriguing.

They lived in miserable conditions.They lived in miserable conditions.

He had little hope of improving their lives. He had little hope of improving their lives.

If you were born a peasant, you would most likely die a If you were born a peasant, you would most likely die a peasant.peasant.

Their main goal in life was finding eternal salvation. Their main goal in life was finding eternal salvation.

Life on Earth was a journey to suffer through, in order to reach Life on Earth was a journey to suffer through, in order to reach Heaven. Heaven.

New Beliefs at the End of the Middle New Beliefs at the End of the Middle Ages:Ages: Towards the end of the Middle Ages, new ideas and Towards the end of the Middle Ages, new ideas and

beliefs about life and its purpose began to spread. beliefs about life and its purpose began to spread.

This school of thought, known as This school of thought, known as humanismhumanism, was , was based on the belief that life on Earth had a point of its based on the belief that life on Earth had a point of its own. own.

It wasn`t just a miserable pit-stop on the way to It wasn`t just a miserable pit-stop on the way to Heaven. Heaven.

Humanists believed that life was beautiful and should Humanists believed that life was beautiful and should be enjoyedbe enjoyed..

The Rise of Merchants at the End of The Rise of Merchants at the End of the Middle Ages:the Middle Ages: The The Black DeathBlack Death, wiped out hundreds of , wiped out hundreds of

thousands of Europeans. thousands of Europeans. This caused a huge shortage of workers.This caused a huge shortage of workers. Wages rose as a result of a high demand for Wages rose as a result of a high demand for

workers.workers. The standard of living rose as the wages improved.The standard of living rose as the wages improved. This lead to the rise of This lead to the rise of wealthy merchantswealthy merchants,, They would provide the money, resources and the They would provide the money, resources and the

incentive for the Renaissance.incentive for the Renaissance.

The Renaissance brought The Renaissance brought Changes in Society:Changes in Society: It was a It was a cultural movementcultural movement..

The social changes that took place during The social changes that took place during the Renaissance were slow, but steady. the Renaissance were slow, but steady.

Individuals had become for confident and Individuals had become for confident and felt more empowered.felt more empowered.

Humanism was a key Humanism was a key Component of the Renaissance:Component of the Renaissance: It was also an the It was also an the intellectual movementintellectual movement It was based on the study of classical Greek and It was based on the study of classical Greek and

Roman cultures. Roman cultures. Humanists believed that your accomplishments were Humanists believed that your accomplishments were

important and defined who you were as a person. important and defined who you were as a person. The new attitude was ‘Live for Today’.The new attitude was ‘Live for Today’. Hard-working merchants liked this movement Hard-working merchants liked this movement

because they were tired of the ruling because they were tired of the ruling noblesnobles*.*.

*A person who is born into a privileged, wealthy family *A person who is born into a privileged, wealthy family

Humanism and Renaissance Art:Humanism and Renaissance Art: New techniques in art created astounding works of art. New techniques in art created astounding works of art.

A technique known as Perspective made scenes A technique known as Perspective made scenes appear three dimensional. appear three dimensional.

Careful shading make objects look round and real, Careful shading make objects look round and real, rather than flat. rather than flat.

Using human models helped artists portray the human Using human models helped artists portray the human body far more accurately than in Medieval art. body far more accurately than in Medieval art.

Renaissance art glorified the human body.Renaissance art glorified the human body.

It placed importance of the individual and were secular (non-religious).It placed importance of the individual and were secular (non-religious).

The works of the four great masters, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, The works of the four great masters, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello set the standard for Renaissance art. Michelangelo, and Donatello set the standard for Renaissance art.

Davinci’s Davinci’s Mona Lisa Mona Lisa portrays a simple woman, wearing a simple smile.portrays a simple woman, wearing a simple smile.

Artists turned to the classics of Ancient Greece and Rome for Artists turned to the classics of Ancient Greece and Rome for inspirations.inspirations.

Pre-Renaissance ArtPre-Renaissance Art::

Early Medieval art was Early Medieval art was Romanesque style.Romanesque style.

RomanesqueRomanesque paintings are naive; the characters have paintings are naive; the characters have unrealistic features and showed no emotion. unrealistic features and showed no emotion.

By 1100 AD, Medieval art had become By 1100 AD, Medieval art had become GothicGothic Gothic architecture can be recognized by the pointed Gothic architecture can be recognized by the pointed

arches on buildings.arches on buildings. Gothic art Gothic art shows more concern for shows more concern for realism and realism and

emotion.emotion.

Gothic Architecture became popular in Gothic Architecture became popular in the late Medieval Period. the late Medieval Period.

It was most commonly used for It was most commonly used for cathedrals and churches in Europe.cathedrals and churches in Europe.

Westminster AbbeyWestminster Abbey is a large, Gothic is a large, Gothic church.church.

It is the traditional place of coronation It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English monarchs.and burial site for English monarchs.

What did Humanism contribute What did Humanism contribute to to Western Culture?Western Culture? Intellectuals began to spread scientific Intellectuals began to spread scientific

knowledge throughout Europe despite the knowledge throughout Europe despite the Church’s opposition to it.Church’s opposition to it.

Humanists had great interests in history, Humanists had great interests in history, philosophy, art and literature. philosophy, art and literature.

They looked backwards, at the cultures of They looked backwards, at the cultures of Ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration. Ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration.

The children of wealthy merchants and nobles started reading humanist The children of wealthy merchants and nobles started reading humanist philosophy.philosophy.

According to Humanism, education should stimulate student’s creative According to Humanism, education should stimulate student’s creative powers. powers.

Students were taught poetry, history, and public speaking.Students were taught poetry, history, and public speaking.

Before the Humanist movement, the Church successfully controlled all Before the Humanist movement, the Church successfully controlled all aspects of our lives.aspects of our lives.

Europeans under Europeans under humanist influencehumanist influence began to question the Church‘s began to question the Church‘s practises.practises.

The Humanist belief was that people were able The Humanist belief was that people were able to reason well on their own, without the to reason well on their own, without the influence of the Church.influence of the Church.

The belief also rejected the idea of being The belief also rejected the idea of being controlled or brainwashed by the Church.controlled or brainwashed by the Church.

In other words, people should be given the right In other words, people should be given the right to have individual freedom of thought.to have individual freedom of thought.

àà

They believed God should not be our central They believed God should not be our central concern. concern.

They preached for tolerance and peace instead of They preached for tolerance and peace instead of also engaging in religious wars.also engaging in religious wars.

Printing in the Renaissance:Printing in the Renaissance: Invented by Invented by Johannes GutenbergJohannes Gutenberg

TThe printing press revolutionized Renaissance society the he printing press revolutionized Renaissance society the same way TV and the internet have influenced the 20same way TV and the internet have influenced the 20thth and and 2121stst centuries. centuries.

For the first time books were cheap enough for the masses; For the first time books were cheap enough for the masses; learning and new ideas spread like wildfire throughout learning and new ideas spread like wildfire throughout Europe.Europe.

The printing pressing enabled ideas to spread across Europe.The printing pressing enabled ideas to spread across Europe.

Scientific Progress During the Scientific Progress During the Renaissance:Renaissance: Church taught that the Earth was flat and that it was Church taught that the Earth was flat and that it was

at the center of the universe!at the center of the universe!

Any new idea which had conflicted with the biblical Any new idea which had conflicted with the biblical texts was forbidden (punishable by death!).texts was forbidden (punishable by death!).

Scientists learned about human anatomy by Scientists learned about human anatomy by dissecting corpses.dissecting corpses.

This lead to the advancement in medicine. This lead to the advancement in medicine. Dissecting corpses was forbidden by the church.Dissecting corpses was forbidden by the church.

Martin LUTHER and The Reformation:Martin LUTHER and The Reformation:

•Martin LutherMartin Luther started a movement to reform the Catholic started a movement to reform the Catholic Church. Church.

•He believed the church had become too rich, powerful and He believed the church had become too rich, powerful and corrupt!corrupt!

Criticism of the Church:Criticism of the Church: Members of the clergy did not honour Members of the clergy did not honour

their vows of poverty and chastity.their vows of poverty and chastity.

The Pope and bishops lived in luxury and The Pope and bishops lived in luxury and behaved like powerful noblemen.behaved like powerful noblemen.

Priests were ignorant, neglected their Priests were ignorant, neglected their duties and were left unsupervised.duties and were left unsupervised.

Pope Leo X & the Selling of Pope Leo X & the Selling of Indulgences:Indulgences: When the Church attached the sale of indulgences, When the Church attached the sale of indulgences,

Luther became increasingly enraged at this practice. Luther became increasingly enraged at this practice.

Indulgences meant that a person could buy their Indulgences meant that a person could buy their way out of purgatory or hell. way out of purgatory or hell.

Church leaders commonly launched indulgence Church leaders commonly launched indulgence campaigns to finance large building projects (such campaigns to finance large building projects (such as the building of St. Peter's in Rome).as the building of St. Peter's in Rome).

In 1517, Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses onto the In 1517, Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses onto the wooden doors of the church. wooden doors of the church.

He revealed the corruption going on inside church He revealed the corruption going on inside church walls. walls.

His Letter stressed out the following issues:His Letter stressed out the following issues:

1.1. The Catholic Church believes that we only get into heaven by The Catholic Church believes that we only get into heaven by faith faith plus good works.plus good works.

(Showing that you are a good Christian by helping the poor, helping (Showing that you are a good Christian by helping the poor, helping your neighbor in need, encouraging others, volunteering etc.) your neighbor in need, encouraging others, volunteering etc.)

The bible teaches us that we go to heaven strictly by faith in Jesus The bible teaches us that we go to heaven strictly by faith in Jesus Christ.Christ.

2. The Bible is the living true authority of God, not the Pope. 2. The Bible is the living true authority of God, not the Pope.

3. People can read and interpret the bible for themselves 3. People can read and interpret the bible for themselves instead of relying on the priests or bishops to do it for them. instead of relying on the priests or bishops to do it for them.

4. People did not need to buy their rights to heaven. 4. People did not need to buy their rights to heaven.

5. All people are created equal through the eyes of God.5. All people are created equal through the eyes of God.

6. He encouraged worshiping God through praise and singing.6. He encouraged worshiping God through praise and singing.

Luther Excommunicated:Luther Excommunicated: Martin Luther was excommunicated by Martin Luther was excommunicated by

the Pope in 1520 after he publicly burned the Pope in 1520 after he publicly burned the Papal Decree (letters issued by the the Papal Decree (letters issued by the Pope). Pope).

In 1521, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V In 1521, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V put him on trial and condemned him as a put him on trial and condemned him as a hereticheretic and an and an outlawoutlaw of the church. of the church.

They didn't execute him because that would've made They didn't execute him because that would've made him a martyr. him a martyr.

Frederick the Wise, of Saxony made a deal with the Frederick the Wise, of Saxony made a deal with the Catholic Church resulting in Martin Luther's safe Catholic Church resulting in Martin Luther's safe passage to his home at Wartburg Castle. passage to his home at Wartburg Castle.

While in exile, he rewrote the bible in German. While in exile, he rewrote the bible in German.

During the months he stayed there, he During the months he stayed there, he witnessed many social changes as a witnessed many social changes as a result of his revolution. result of his revolution.

"Salvation is achieved through Jesus "Salvation is achieved through Jesus Christ alone" – Martin LutherChrist alone" – Martin Luther

The Church’s Reaction to the The Church’s Reaction to the Reformation: Reformation: In 1545, Pope Paul III assembled a council In 1545, Pope Paul III assembled a council

(meeting with important Church officials) in (meeting with important Church officials) in the city of Trent to discuss how to deal with the city of Trent to discuss how to deal with the the ReformationReformation..

The council made the following decisions at The council made the following decisions at this meeting:this meeting:

Priests had to be supervised and educated in Priests had to be supervised and educated in colleges.colleges.

Published an Official Latin Bible.Published an Official Latin Bible. Created new religious orders like the Jesuits.Created new religious orders like the Jesuits. Jesuits were educated priests that taught and spread the Roman Jesuits were educated priests that taught and spread the Roman

Catholic faith throughout the world.Catholic faith throughout the world.• Heretics would be prosecuted in courts called the inquisition.Heretics would be prosecuted in courts called the inquisition.• Protestants were considered heretics.Protestants were considered heretics.• Enemies of the Church were put on trial and sentenced to death.Enemies of the Church were put on trial and sentenced to death.• This council also decided to get rid of the selling of indulgences because it

was bad for the Church’s image.

•The church made a list of banned books.The church made a list of banned books.•These “BAD” books were listed in THE INDEX.These “BAD” books were listed in THE INDEX.

The Effects of the Counter-The Effects of the Counter-Reformation:Reformation:The Council of Trent revived enthusiasm for The Council of Trent revived enthusiasm for the Roman Catholic Church.the Roman Catholic Church.

The highly-educated Jesuits challenged The highly-educated Jesuits challenged Protestant preachers.Protestant preachers.

The Protestant movement was weakened.The Protestant movement was weakened.

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