The re-birth of European civilization. The Renaissance (ca. 1350-1600) The re-birth of European civilization.

Question of the Day: In what specific ways was the Renaissance different from the Middle Ages?

I. The Middle Ages The Middle Ages – ca. 500-1350. a.k.a., Medieval Times or The Dark Ages. Roman Empire Middle Ages Renaissance ca. 44-500 ca. 500-1350 ca. 1350-1600

I. The Middle Ages (cont.) Chaotic time marked by constant warfare between competing lords. Most commoners were serfs living on isolated manors. Serfs worked the land, lords and their knights provided protection.

I. The Middle Ages (cont.) What was limited? Trade. Travel. Education. Communication with the outside world.

I. The Middle Ages (cont.) The Catholic Church was a very powerful force in people’s daily lives. Controlled the path to salvation with: 1) sacraments. 2) the threat of ex-communication.

II. End of the Middle Ages 3 major events contributed to the end of the Middle Ages: 1) The Crusades (1096-1204). Led to: decreased warfare among knights. increased trade, travel & communication.

II. End of the Middle Ages (cont.) 2) The Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453). New weapons developed. Strong kings emerged. Feudal warfare decreased.

II. End of the Middle Ages (cont.) 3) The Black Death (late 1300s), The bubonic plague killed 25 million people in Europe. 1/3 of the population died within about 50 years.

III. The Emerging Middle Class Upper Class: Lords and Clergy. New Middle Class: Merchants & Bankers, Doctors & Lawyers, Skilled Craftsmen & Wealthy peasants. Lower Class: Serfs.

III. The Emerging Middle Class (c0nt.) 4 factors contributing to rise of the new Middle Class: 1) Return of a money economy. 2) Growth of towns/trading centers. 3) Wealth based on money. 4) Social mobility.

IV. Education & Individual Achievement New emphasis on education as a path to social mobility. Explosion of schools & universities. Johan Gutenberg perfected the printing press in 1455. Improved access to information.

IV. Education & Individual Achievement (cont.) New emphasis on individual achievement. Development of unique talents could lead to social mobility. People worked to distinguish themselves from the masses.

V. Cultural Arts New emphasis on the cultural arts: Music. Drama. Literature. Painting & Sculpting. Architecture.

V. Cultural Arts (cont.) Middle class townspeople: Money + leisure time = ENTERTAINMENT! Wealthy people became patrons of the arts & sponsored artists.

The Duomo ca. 1450 – Filippo Brunelleschi

David (1504) – Michelangelo

Mona Lisa (1507) – Leonardo da Vinci

Romeo and Juliet (1597) – William Shakespeare

Question of the Day: In what specific ways was the Renaissance different from the Middle Ages?