Notes on Renaissance Notes: “Renaissance” Social Political Religious Intellectual Technological Economic

Renaissance in a Nutshell Rebirth of Classical Antiquity The world of the Greeks and Romans Urbanization of society Cities the center of Renaissance Europe Individualism The glory of God is reflected through human potential and achievement Man becomes more of the center and measure of all things A well-rounded individual is the ideal Secularism Decreased singular importance of religion

Social Urbanization fueled major social changes Growth of the merchants/bourgeoisie Importance of Guilds in Renaissance Persecution of Jews

Urbanization Europe remained predominantly rural, but cities rapidly Strong relationship between trade, manufacturing and urbanzation Northern Italian cities and Flanders Growth in Bourgeoisie and Petit Bourgeoisie Bourgeoisie- Owners of capitalistic enterprises Served as patrons of culture Petit Bourgeoisie- Shopkeepers, artisans, guildmaster who provided goods and services for local consumption

Guilds Trade associations that regulated the practice and access to trades Served to limit competition and perpetuate male dominance in trade/business Resulted in continued inequalities Discriminated against Jews

Persecution of Jews Most Jews resided in Europe’s cities Urban-oriented because of focus on trade and business (money-lending) Jews often excluded from other professions Persecuted Jews in times of crisis Expelled from Spain in 1492 after many years of persecution

Political End of Papal Supremacy Rise of the “New Monarchies” (France, England, Spain) Political Fragmentation in Italy and Holy Roman Empire Varying Power of Nobility Advent of “Machiavellian” Politics

End of Papal Supremacy End of papal supremacy epitomized by Pope Bonaface VIII (Pope is superior to every living creature) Pope arrested by King Phillip of France Establishment of “alternative” papal seat in Avignon, France Monarchical power over popes increased

Rise of New Monarchies France- Enmity towards England during Hundred Years War (1337-1453) increased nationalistic feelings England- First Tudor King (Henry VII) established strong monarchy and reduced power of nobles by taking away armies Spain- Isabela (Castile) and Ferdinand (Aragon) marriage unified Spain

Political Fragmentation Holy Roman Empire (A Confederation of independent states in present-day Germany) Italy- Lack of centralized political authority with many city-states (Florence, Siena, Venice) Ensuing competition between France and Spain for control of Italy

Varying Power of Nobility England- Nobility secured guarantee of hereditary rights through Magna Carta Other Locations- Weakened by new military technology that made reduced impenetrability of fortesses

Advent of Machiavellian Politics Focus on how leaders could acquire, maintain, and expand political power Contrasted with ruling according to Christian-based moral principles “Ends justify the means” Morality NOT a part of political activity

Religious End of Church’s supremacy in “national affairs” Rise of Skepticism (Impact of Black Death) Advent of Christian Humanism and Scholasticism Increased Corruption of Papacy Fusion of Official Christianity and “Nationalism” in Spain

End of Church Supremacy in Nat’l Affairs Major challenges to Church supremacy by France (political) Cultural supremacy challenged by Renaissance patrons of the arts (Medici) Scientific advancements directly contradicted Church doctrine

Forces for Change Rise of Skepticism Result of the Black Death A major questioning of religion and even the existence of God Worldly, Corrupt Nature of Renaissance Popes Series of corruption scandals Involvement in worldly affairs Julius II (1503-1513) led armies personally against Venice

Advent of Christian Humanism and Scholasticism Christian Humanism (Erasmus- 1466-1536): Believed that Christianity should be a guiding philosophy for the direction of daily life rather than a system of dogmatic beliefs Scholasticism- Effort to synthesize faith and reason with Aristotle Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologica)

Intellectual Development of secular, individualist literature Stunning development “naturalist” painting with focus on the human form (Da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo) Popularization of the intellectual literary realm

Development of secular, individualist literature Written in vernacular to reach broad audiences Focus on the individual and individual attitudes Often quite secular Dante: Divine Comedy Chaucer: Canterbury Tales

Artistic (Big Three) Focused on persuading audiences of the reality of the event/person they were painting/sculpting Da Vinci- Focused on realism Mona Lisa and Last Supper Raphael- Best known for frescoes Michelangelo- Focused on ideal human with perfect proportions Sistine Chapel and the David

Popularization of the Intellectual Printing press led to the popularization of literary works 1500- 10 million books printed in 238 towns in W. Europe Led to greater focus on secular literature

Technological Advent of Water Wheels Major changes in military technology Invention of the movable metal-type printing press Significant architectural achievements (Gothic churches) Key maritime invention and improvements

Technological Advancements Water Wheels>>>>>> Advances in iron-related industries Improved Crossbow (NOT “humble arrow”)>>>>> Reduced power of knights and manorism Firearm and Gunpowder>>> Could penetrate fortesses. Led to reduced power of manorism

Technological Advancements Great improvements on Chinese carved wood blocks: movable pieces of type, new ink, printing press Johann Gutenberg (1394-1468) Led to tremendous proliferation of books in Europe Expansion of unorthodox ideas

Economic Tremendous economic improvement in Europe during Renaissance Rapid development of trade (Venice, Genoa, Flanders and Hanseatic League) Increased European self-sufficiency