Chapter 5 Section 1

Urban Society- Society in which cities are the center of the political, social, and economic life Secular- Worldly Mercenaries- Soldiers who sold their services to the highest bidders Dowry- Sum of money given by the wife’s family to the husband upon marriage VOCABULARY

Renaissance- REBIRTH What are the most important characteristics of the Italian Renaissance? It was mostly an urban society. It was an age of recovery from the disasters of the 14 th century (plague, political unrest, and a decline of church power). Lastly a new view of human beings began to emphasize individual ability. Leonardo da Vinci- Famous painter, sculptor, architect, inventor, and mathematician ITALIAN RENAISSANCE

Three important in the roles they played in Italian politics. Milan, Venice, and Florence Trade flourished especially with the Byzantine Empires. Italians merchants obtained silks, sugar, and spices. ITALIAN STATES

Was the crossroadss of trade routes from Italian coastal cities to the Alpine passes. Was one of the richest cities in Italy. Francesco Sforza, leader of a band of mercenaries, conquered the city after the last Visconti ruler died in He built a strong centralized state based on an efficient tax system. MILAN

Was the link between Asia and western Europe. Was a republic with an elected leader called a Doge, however a small group of wealthy aristocrats ran the government on behalf of their own interests. Trade empire was profitable and made the state and international power. VENICE

Dominated the region of Tuscany. Was established as a major city-state in northern Italy after a series of successful wars against their neighbors. 1434, Cosimo de Medici took control of the city. The Medici family controlled the government from behind the scenes by using their wealth and personal influence. His grandson Lorenzo Medici was the most famous of the Medici family. In the late 1400’s an economic decline hit the city due to increased manufacturing competition from the English and Flemish. Girolamo Savonarola condemned the Medici family for their corruptness and excessive spending, The family turned the city over to him. He accused the Church of corruptness which angered the pope and in 1498 he was tried of heresy and sentenced to death, which resulted in the Medici’s regaining control. FLORENCE

1494- French King Charles VIII led an army into Italy and occupied Naples in southern Italy. For the next 30 years the French and Spanish made Italy their fighting ground turning point. May 5 th, Spanish King Charles I troops and mercenaries arrived at Rome (hadn’t been paid in months). They yelled for money and the leader told them this was the richest city in all of the world they could destroy. The next day they pushed through the gates into the city. The destruction did not end until the authorities restored order. This ended the Italian wars and left Spain as a dominant force in Italy. ITALIAN WARS

Machiavelli Wrote a book that is one of the most influential works on political power called The Prince. It concentrates on gaining and keeping political power. In this book the prince must act on behalf of the state and must be willing to let his conscience sleep. These views had a major influence on those leaders who followed.

Renaissance Society Divided into three classes. By the 1500’s nobles again dominated society. They served as advisers to the king. In The Book of the Courtier, written by Baldassare Castiglione in 1528, a noble was born not made and was expected to have character, grace, and talent. The perfect noble also had to develop two basic skills, military skills and classical education. Noble was also expected to meet a certain standard of conduct and show their achievements with grace. The aim of a perfect noble was to serve his prince in an effective and honest way.

Renaissance Society Cont. Peasants and townspeople- made up the third estate or third class. They made up 85 to 90 percent of the total European population. Serfdom continued to decrease with the decline of the manorial system. By 1500, more peasants became legally free. Townspeople made up the rest of the third estate. At the top of urban society were the patricians, below them were the burghers, then were the workers who earned awful wages and the unemployed (30-40% of the urban population).

Family and Marriage Bond was a great source of security in the urban world. Marriages were arranged that helped to strengthen the family, sometimes worked out when the child was two or three years old. Dowry was the most important aspect of the marriage contract. Father-husband was center of the family (gave it name, managed finances, controlled decisions). He had absolute power. Adulthood came to children when fathers went before a judge and formally freed them (usually between early teens and late twenties) The mother’s role was to supervise the household.