The Renaissance

Focus Question Focus Question: How influential were internal factors (e.g. Renaissance, Reformation, demographic, economic, and social changes) and factors external to Europe in increasing Europe’s global power?

The Middle Ages (Medieval Period) 5th century – 15th century AD Fall of Rome  Renaissance Europe mostly peasant farmers Little education & low literacy Christianity + superstition

The Renaissance 1350-1550 AD Began in Italy Moved northward Eventually covered Europe Took place in cities / didn’t affect most Europeans at first Christianity w/o superstition

Characteristics of the Italian Renaissance 1. Urban Society (cities) 2. Secular Society (Society not run by religion) 3. Humanistic (people should learn & make society better)

1. Urban Society Italy was not a unified country Independent, powerful cities ruled areas surrounding them City-states = rivals, not allies Most powerful: Venice, Milan, Florence, and the Papal States

The most powerful city-states were those with ports (Venice) or on key trade routes (Milan, Florence).

Milan South of key Alps mountain passes Trade between Italy/Middle East & rest of Europe came through Controlled trade & charged tariffs

Venice Most important port city in Italy Geographic tie between Europe, Asia, Middle East Dependence on sea trade led to strong navy, too

Venice Called a republic Doge = elected leader (his palace & prison at left) In reality, a few wealthy bankers and merchants ran Venice

Florence Owned Tuscany Small group of rich merchants ran government The de’ Medici family made it the cultural center of Italy & Europe

2. Secular Society Focus on worldly things Recurrences of the Plague and ongoing wars shortened lives Increased wealth + short lives = “eat, drink & be merry” Not atheistic or anti-Christian

3. Humanistic Medieval beliefs on life: mankind is evil the world is sinful one’s focuses in life should be avoiding sin & getting to heaven

Renaissance beliefs on life: man is made in God’s image and is imperfect, but not evil the world was created by God and is corrupt, but improvable one’s focus in life should be on gaining personal knowledge to become a better citizen

The point of Renaissance education is not to create great scholars, but to create great citizens!

A few, good Renaissance Men:

Machiavelli Wrote “The Prince” Believed that rulers’ only duty was to build strong city-states Rulers can & should ignore morality & their consciences Ends justify means

Leonardo da Vinci The ultimate “Renaissance Man” Handsome & popular Avid mountain climber Excelled in all areas of the “liberal arts” / art, mathematics, literature, science, invention, etc.

“Renaissance Men” (and women) don’t just try many things “Renaissance Men” (and women) don’t just try many things. They are great at many things!

What happened to Renaissance Italy?

Wars of Italy The city-states of Italy had great financial and artistic wealth Other countries wanted to take it City-states might be as wealthy as kingdoms, but had fewer people They had to use their wealth to hire foreign armies to defend them

Wars of Italy 1494 – France attacks Naples, a large but weak, southern city-state Nervous that they might be next, but too small for self-defense, the other city-states hired Spain For 30 years, the Wars of Italy destroyed its once-great cities

Wars of Italy Thus, the Wars of Italy were fought in Italy, but didn’t really involve any Italian armies Eventually Spain defeated France The Spanish army hadn’t been paid, and in 1527, attacked and destroyed Rome for plunder

The Renaissance The Wars of Italy destroyed Italy Most of the accomplishments of the Renaissance in Italy were lost However, by this time, the values and learning of the Renaissance had spread to the rest of Europe, and its legacy was preserved there