European Renaissance: 14 th century – 17 th century *All information from Mr. Bolding’s fantastic time machine *Note: There is no time machine

Review: Middle Ages The people’s lives were centered around God and the Church. The Church was the most powerful entity in Europe During the Renaissance however, people would become less focused on heavenly things. (Humanism)

Review: Middle Ages Feudalism: societal system where serfs worked a lord’s land in exchange for military protection. Made it hard to focus on little other than your crops and survival Black Death: People were scared. Turned to God and the Church even more.

The Italian Renaissance

What was the Renaissance? Renaissance means “Rebirth.” The Renaissance was a “cultural movement” that moved across Europe. Saw changes in “politics, society, economics, and culture.” (not all areas experience Europe’s changes in the same way. Not uniformly measured.)

Origins of the Renaissance Believed to have began in Florence, Italy in the 13 th century. Why Italy? “Revival of commerce and town building Feudalism was less prevalent Leading lords were losing influence Classical influence was greater (Roman and Greek infrastructure)”

Renaissance Economics “Financial success” allowed for the spread of art and architecture People could afford to be artists Dramatic recovery of European commerce “Mining and Printing” (will be covered more later) become new industries 15 th century banking empire of the “Medici Family” in Florence. “Patrons of the arts”

Economics continued “Profits become more important than the” Church To fight guilt, wealthy begin to indulge in philanthropy. Increased profits = Economic diversification.

Renaissance Society Renaissance is an “elitist” historical phenomenon Very “family”-oriented society “Marriages” were frequently arranged to strengthen business ties Father had authority over his family

Society continued… Extreme social stratification around the wealthiest families “Stratification” – Process of dividing relative social positions into broader class categories Examples are lower, middle, and upper classes Poor fought to increase their status through several “revolts” Paintings focused on the individual

Renaissance Politics Similar patterns and problems that faced Greek city-states Inter-city warfare led to advances in diplomacy Increases in the stress for a “balance of power”

Machiavelli ( ) Machiavelli creates “The Prince” Trumpeted new ideas of leadership – Goal of a leader must be power – Possessed a cynical view of human nature – Fear is a better motivator than affection – Politics was the art of deception – Brought a realism to political thought

Renaissance Art and Architecture Imitation of nature became primary goal More pagan scenes and myths were depicted Artists elevated to “cultural heroes” Stressed “proportion, balance, and harmony” Emphasized mathematical side to painting Boticelli’s “Birth of Venus”

Art Continued Mathematical side introduces “Linear perspective.” No longer used the hieratic scale Italy had “Frescoes” Artists began using “oil paints” instead of “egg tempera” Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa

Art continued Romanesque architecture was revived Remember, “classicist emphasis” Church of San Lorenzo

Philosophy and Education “Humanism”- focused on the individual and his dignity People began to seek old documents Then, critical examination of the documents began Education produces a moral uplift

Humanism A “Humanist” was a scholar of the Renaissance who pursued the study and understanding of the ancient Greek and Roman empires. A person with a strong concern for human interests, values, and dignity. Petrarch ( ) considered the “father of humanism”

Skepticism “Questioning Attitude” People began to question more and take ideas at face value less

Education Stressed a liberal education What does this imply? Law and Rhetoric were of importance Cultivated classical political ideas

Papacy? The “papacy” starts to decline and lose influence over European nation-states Decline in leadership This is a trend that will continue to gain momentum until the Protestant Reformation of 1517.

Renaissance Men ch?v=0CRX_mqpzdU ch?v=0CRX_mqpzdU “Men who prided themselves on being able to do many things well, but claimed to be an expert at none.”

The Northern Renaissance