the renaissance in europe chapter 15. do-now what is a renaissance? how do you think it impacted...
TRANSCRIPT
The Renaissance
Time period: 1350-1600
Meaning “rebirth”
Began in Italy in the 1300s
Explored human experience instead of religion
Geography of Italy
Italy thrived on their trading network
Italy is surrounded by water: the Mediterranean Sea
Italy used the Mediterranean Sea for protection and trade
Italy traded with the Middle East, Africa, and Asia all thanks to the Mediterranean.
Government of Italy
Italy during the Middle Ages did not set up a centralized monarchy
Instead, Italy had a number of city states
By the 15th century- 5 city states existed: Milan, Venice, Florence, the papal states which centered on Rome, and the Kingdom of Naples
The Five City States
Each dominated politically and economically
Milan, Venice, and Florence are located in northern Italy
Milan- well known for trade Visconti family became the dukes in Milan
The last Visconti died in 1447
Mercenaries (soldiers) fought to take over especially because they wanted money
The most well known mercenary group is the Sforza
Sforza’s took over and built a strong centralized state Brought in a tax system
Venice
Another of Italy’s well known city states
Attracted traders from all over the world
Was a republic
Had a leader called a doge
Wealthy merchants ran the republic
Florence
14th century
Small wealth group of merchants took over the Florentine government
Merchants had a series of wars against their neighbors
Established it as a strong city-state
Cosimo de Medici- wealthy leader- ran the government from behind the scenes
The Social Classes
Nobility-dominated society. Held important political posts and served as advisers to the king
Peasants and Townspeople- Peasants were the majority of the population, serfdom declined.
The Social Classes
1. Patricians
2. Burghers- shopkeepers, artisans, guild masters, guild members
3. Workers/peasants
4. Unemployed
Family and Marriage
Parents arranged marriages to strengthen business ties
Fathers and husbands were at the center of the family
Men managed the finances
A woman’s role was to supervise the household
Machiavelli
During the Renaissance, Niccolo Machiavelli wrote a book titled The Prince
In The Prince, Machiavelli brings up an issue- is it better to be loved or feared.
Machiavelli noted that the prince acts on behalf of the state. The leader (being the prince) must do good works when possible, but be ready to do evil when necessary
Humanism
Humanism focused on the individual
Goals: educate the whole person (today’s liberal arts)
Based on the classics- the literature of ancient Greece and Rome
Humanists wanted to revitalize their culture
Renaissance art was very realistic
Francisco Petrarch
Called the father of the Italian Renaissance humanism
He placed an emphasis on classical Latin
Believed that intellectuals had a duty to live an active civic life and to put their study of the humanities to the state’ service
Vernacular
The humanistic approach led to people wanting to write down their findings, especially scholars, lawyers, and religious people
Issue: in the different regions of Italy was a different vernacular (local spoken language)
The Printing Press
Papermaking technologies were seen throughout the world
The invention of the movable type in the 1400s led to Johann Gutenberg’s printing of the Bible in Germany in 1456
Outcome: Books became more available
Literacy increased
Ideas spread rapidly
Renaissance Artists
Michelangelo- sculptor, engineer, poet, painter, architect. Best known for his statue of David
Leonardo da Vinci- interested in the human anatomy, most well known painting is the Mona Lisa
Renaissance Art
Fresco- a painting done on fresh, wet plaster with water-based paints
Perspective- artistic techniques used to give the effect of three-dimensional depth to the two-dimensional surfaces