Economic,Political and Intellectual Change

Merchants gain wealth Acquired control of papal banking Profited from loans, investments, and money exchanges Dominated European and North African cities Poured money back into art and urban industries

Patrons Provided financial support for Rise of culture Scholars Painters Sculptors Poets Architects Rise of culture

The Medici

Nobles Started losing power Italian cities started gaining independence Nobles moved into cities and intermarried with rich merchant families Created a rich, elite oligarchy

Diplomacy Five powers dominated Italy Created high amount of conflict Established a balance of power Diplomacy: the policy of making emotionless negotiations Great political achievement of their time

Humanism Emphasized human achievement, interests, and capabilities Studied the classics to study human nature Still Christian Still rejected ideas that were opposed to Christianity

Humanism continued Education and moral behavior was the most important Should seek an active life Put their ideas into practice Diplomats, layers, businessmen, politicians Do what benefits the public good

Individualism Emphasized the importance of the individual Prized their own uniqueness Fully developed their special skills and capabilities Coined the term “Renaissance Man”