The Renaissance and Humanism

Learning Objective

Learning Objective: Students will be able to explain what the Renaissance is and how Humanism changed Europe’s way of thinking.

Inquiry Question

What sparked the Renaissance?

Classical

refers to the cultures of Ancient Greece and Rome.

Medieval (dark ages)

Period between the Roman Empire and the Re-Birth of Europe.

Not very many new ideas about art or literature.

People did NOT think for themselves, and followed strict social structures and beliefs.

The Renaissance

French for “Re-birth”. This is the re-birth of classical culture and art in Europe after the Dark Ages. Centered in Italy.

Embraces a new way of thinking called “Humanism.”

Setting the Stage

European Crusaders returning from the Middle East spurred a desire for the luxuries of the east – silk, pepper, and spices. The center of trade shifted from the Middle East to Italy.

Middle Eastern scholars had preserved the writings of ancient Greeks in their libraries and when the Byzantine Empire fell, many scholars left for Italy. The extra wealth of Italian city-states like Florence, allowed the revival of learning and art that came with the Renaissance.

Setting the Stage

Black Death (plague) had killed over half the population in Italy.

The plague attacked those living in the close quarters in the city. Only those with money were able to move to the country to avoid the disease

This caused many to be angry when the church claimed the plague was God’s will (although many clergy died).

The church refused to promote hygiene because it distracted from worship. This could have prevented many deaths.

What’s New?

Humanism

Humanists formed a belief in the importance of the individual .

Humanism also valued classical culture. A search for personal knowledge

Humanist Beliefs, Not Feudalism!

FREE TO THINK!

Humanists believe that people have the ability to think for themselves and create their own life. People can do this apart from social class or family.

NOT STUCK IN THIS PYRAMID!

Think/ Pair/ Share

Why were humanist beliefs so different from medieval thinking and feudalism?

Humanism Vs. The church

Humanists focused on the present. The Church focused on the afterlife.

Humanists believed people should use their own minds and question everything.

The Church believed people should follow its teachings without question in order to save their souls.

Secular education vs. education from the church.

Think/ Pair/ Share

Do you think Humanist ideas might have caused a conflict with the Church? Why?

Predict: What might the Church’s reaction be to these new ideas?

Humanities

In order to further study the potential of human beings, people can study the HUMANITIES:

areas of study that focuses on human life and culture, such as: history, literature, and ethics.

(Artists in the Renaissance will also encourage the study of the human body as well as the mind.)

Think/ Pair/ Share

In what way do your studies at school embrace humanist ideas?

Chart

On the back of the chart identify how each box is connected to the next box.

Select what three things contributed most to the start of the Renaissance.