Unit #1 – Renaissance and Reformation Lesson #1a – Impact of the Middle Ages

What WAS the Renaissance? Started in 1400s Technically, it’s a “rebirth” of something Petrarch called the “middle ages”: DARK AGES He said the GREEKS (500 BC – 300 BC) and ROMANS (300 BC – AD 500) were more civilized He said humans needed a “Renaissance” of their values to be truly human Thus, the birth of Humanism Petrarch: the “father of Humanism”

GREEKS Gave us a good example of culture: Theater Democracy Government “for the people”

ROMANS Exceptional builders, inventors, and civic involvement Respected law and order, service to fellow man

AFTER ROMANS… They fought They farmed They died They prayed

Why did Petrarch call his era “dark”? Why did almost nobody notice his issue, or him during his time?

Culture of the Middle Ages 90% of people lived like animals Life was short Married young Women had MANY pregnancies “Little Ice Age” (1300-1450) Rivers froze, crops never ripened Torrential rains ruined crops Poor harvest == mass starvation => poor birth rates 1315-1322 – “the Great Famine” – peasants forced to sell land to rich nobles Fiefs and Vassals Middle Ages society based on system of loyalty sold for protection Nobles walled in property (FIEFS) Knights swore allegiance to higher nobles (VASSALAGE) Created a hierarchy – king at pinnacle

Homes in the Middle Ages Um… what is that… a barn?!

Renaissance looked back for inspiration

The Power of the Church Power led to corruption Formed in 4th century before fall of Rome Combined Christian beliefs & Roman customs HIGHLY symbolic and impressive image Powerful influence on all lives: Controlled calendar of holidays Officiated most events Crusades Sale of INDULGENCES 4m doc Go up to 2:30 WHY WILL ALL THAT POWER MATTER? Power led to corruption Abuses of power; living well & immoral Simony (selling relics)

Early challenges to the Church John Wycliffe (English)(~1375) Issues: Papal infallibility Sale of Indulgences Transubstantiation Adding “truth” to scripture Followers: Lollards Encouraged clerical poverty Was discredited after a peasants revolt Luther would remember this Jan Huss (Czech)(~1405) Continued Wycliffe’s work in HRE Hussites Excommunicated 1410 Outlawed 1414 Executed 1415

Black Death Cause: 1347 – ship from Asia – crew mostly dead Disease spread across continent FAST Within 100 years, 40% of population was dead No known cause No known cure No known defense Church was expected to find answers – had none 4m doc Bring out your dead Results: HOW WILL THIS EFFECT THE POWER OF THE CHURCH? Church prestige damaged Villages abandoned Value of peasants grew