THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE Foundations of the Renaissance Economic growth in Italy Political power in self-governing cities Intellectual foundations (Roman Past) Population expansion

THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE Economic Foundations Trading cities (Genoa and Venice) Crusades make N. Italian cities rich Ship building techniques help build economies Year round shipping = more commerce

THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE Political Foundations Northern cities became independent from rural nobility, 1100s

THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE Political Foundations Rural nobility wants to keep power Move to cities Marry Merchants’ daughters Very THIN LINE between aristocrats and upper Bourgeoisie (Middle Class) Birth of Urban Nobility! Middle Class Merchant/Noble class rule cities Cities themselves become wealthy

THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE Political Foundations Italy is disunited People loyal to city-states Noble families dominate most city politics Venice “Republic” – Merchant/Aristocrats Milan – Sforza family Florence – Medici banking family Papal states – Borgia family Cesare Borgia – hero of “The Prince”

THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE Secularism and the Church Just as worldly as others Popes beautified Rome Spent $$$$$ Paintings and sculpture of early Renaissance shows most remained Christian

THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE Art and Artists “High Renaissance” (1500-1527) Rome takes lead in art Leonardo da Vinci Raphael Michelangelo Paintings and sculpture of early Renaissance shows most remained Christian

Leonardo da Vinci – Religious Art

Michelangelo – Religious Art

Leonardo da Vinci Artist is inspired creator NOT hired craftsman Universe is well ordered, mathematically proportioned

Leonardo da Vinci Despite being Christian, Leonardo tends to worship nature (and perhaps even himself!)

Michelangelo Sculpture is the highest form of art It allows artist to imitate God

Michelangelo Sculpture is the highest form of art It allows artist to imitate God

THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE Secular Art Early Renaissance art remains mostly religious Wealthy begin to spend money on arts Art collecting becomes pastime for urban nobility Subject matter becomes secular Individual portrait is most common secular art work Subject of painting is noble person who bought the painting!

THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE Social Changes in Italy Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince (1513) »Terribly pessimistic about humanity! »Argued that power must be maintained by any means possible

THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE Printing 1455 – Movable type Cheap paper Gutenberg’s Bible – 1456 Propaganda Increased Literacy Book culture becomes a way of life

THE RENAISSANCE MOVES NORTH The waning of the Italian Renaissance Italy suffering foreign invasions from France and Spain Trade routes shift from Mediterranean to Atlantic Portuguese attempting to eliminate Italian and Arab middle-men Church strong enough in Italy to stifle creativity (As Muslims had during Middle Eastern intellectual boom)

THE RENAISSANCE MOVES NORTH The growth of the Northern Renaissance French and Spanish invaders take Renaissance ideals home with them Northern European students attend Italian Universities Take Renaissance ideals home with them Italian intellectuals migrate north Take Renaissance ideals north with them

THE NORTHERN RENAISSANCE Thomas More Utopia (1516) Means “nowhere” Societies problems caused by greed Private property causes violence

POLITICS DURING THE RENAISSANCE Strong Monarchies or rulers Italy – dictators France – Louis XI England – Henry VII Spain - Ferdinand of Aragon All pre-date Machiavelli, but all seem to have read his book

POLITICS DURING THE RENAISSANCE France Charles VII (r. 1422-1461) - Revived monarchy in France Reconciled with Burgundy Expelled the English from France Raised taxes Raised permanent army

POLITICS DURING THE RENAISSANCE Louis XI (r. 1461-1483) Developed industries Raised taxes Improved permanent army Re conquered other lost territories War and marriage

POLITICS DURING THE RENAISSANCE England Henry IV (r. 1399-1413) Population decimated by plagues and wars 1455-1471 – Rivalry over throne House of York v. House of Lancaster The War of the Roses Destroyed economy

POLITICS DURING THE RENAISSANCE Edward IV of York (r. 1461-1483) Restored order Richard III (r. 1483-1485) Henry VII (r. 1485-1509) Restored royal prestige Crushed nobility All three used Machiavellian techniques

POLITICS DURING THE RENAISSANCE Parliament has little power Royal Council rules England The “Star Chamber” A secret court where you had no rights, no attorney, and no chance of survival By the time Henry VII died, England was strong