Renaissance Part I: Introduction to the Renaissance Part II: The Northern Renaissance World History

PART I

What was the Renaissance? A time of creativity and change in many areas in politics, social issues, economic issues, and in culture People changed the way they saw themselves and they way they viewed the world

What was the Renaissance? Revival in learning about Greece and Rome, which leads to people exploring the unexplored Latin was preserved in the Church & by educated people Christopher Columbus sailed to the Americans in 1492 Nicolaus Copernicus revolutionized the way people thought about the world (Father of Astronomy).

Italian City-States The Renaissance began in Italy and then spread north to the rest of Europe. Italy was the birthplace of the Renaissance for several reasons.

ITALIAN CITY-STATES Why Italy? New interest as culture in ancient Rome Italy’s cities survived the Middle Ages In the North: Florence, Milan, Venice, and Genoa In the Center: Naples Wealthy merchants in these city-states contributed to the rebirth through political and economic means Stressed education, individual achievement, and the arts. Dominated politics

Florence and the Medici Family Symbol of the Renaissance Produced gifted poets, architects, scholars, and scientists Medici, a family in Florence, became successful in the banking business, wool and mining Most powerful family in Europe Had political and cultural say Cosimo de’Medici came to control the government in 1434 Family members continued to rule the city without a crown

Classical and Worldly Values Humanism An intellectual movement that focused on human potential and achievements Returned subjects taught by the ancient Greeks and Romans Secular Adopted a worldly view than spiritual view Patrons One who financially supported artists

The Renaissance Man and Woman Baldassare Castiglione wrote in his book entitled Book of the Courtier about the manners, skills, and learning a man and a woman should have: Men: athletic, but not overactive, good at games, but not a gambler, plays a musical instrument and knows literature and history, but not arrogant Women: graceful and kind, lively, but reserved, and outer beauty, but inner goodness

Renaissance and Art & Architecture Art was very realistic and used the rule of shading and perspective, giving painting a three- dimensional look

Renaissance Writers Change Literature Poets, artists, politicians, and scholars mingled among each other “How to” books sprung up to help ambitious men and women who wanted to rise in the Renaissance world Writers wrote in the vernacular instead of Latin Famous writers include Niccolo Machiavelli Vittoria Colonna

PART II

Northern Renaissance Begins Population began to rise after the Black Death The Hundred Years’ War ended between France and England causing many cities to grow rapidly Urban merchants became wealthy & sponsored artists

Italy versus Northern Europe Compare & Contrast Italy was controlled by wealthy families in city-states that were not unified England & France were unified under powerful monarchs Results Ideas of Italian Renaissance spread North Ideas focused on realism and human dignity VS

What is a Northern Humanist? Stressed education while focusing on religious themes Wanted to redefine formal education (funded co-ed schools)

Famous Humanists Erasmus Thomas More Wrote in the vernacular (example: Bible) Spoke out against the corruption in the church and called for reform Thomas More Stressed equality (education) Justice is used to end crime Utopia: A perfect/ideal society

Today’s Vernacular Translate: Gold and silver, of which money is made, are so treated…that no one values them more highly than their true nature deserves. Who does not see that they are far inferior to iron in usefulness since without iron mortals cannot live any more than without fire and water? –Thomas More, Utopia My Translation: Gold and silver look nice, but iron is more useful and more valuable. Do not worry about money, worry about what is useful for society.

Your Utopia What is your Utopia? Define your Utopia.

The Printing Revolution Johann Gutenberg Improved movable type Printed the first Bible using the improved printing press Why do you think the Bible was the first book printed with movable type? Many Europeans were religious

Communication Revolutions Changes: Printed books Cheaper books More people learned to read Readers gained a broad range of knowledge Medicine, law, astrology, and mining Contributed to religious turmoil (WHY) Information once available to a small percentage could now spread to vast numbers of people

Communication Revolutions List modern-day communication revolutions… How would you compare the contrast the impact of the printing press with the impact of the Internet? Information is easier to access Changes affect society More ways to access information today Internet spreads information faster

Legacy: Changes in the Arts Paintings and sculptures portrayed individuals and nature in more realistic ways Works were created that were secular and religious Writers used the vernacular to express their ideas Arts praised individual achievement

Legacy: Changes in Society Information more available and inexpensive by the printing press Increased desire for learning and rise of literacy Legal proceedings made laws clear so people could understand their rights Christian Humanists attempt to reform society People question political and religious practices