The Renaissance 1350 C.E. – 1600 C.E.
The Italian Renaissance Term Renaissance literally means rebirth Period of European History that began in Italy and spread to rest of Europe Three (3) main characteristics Urban Society – powerful city-states became centers of Italian political, economic, and social life Secular – more worldly view point, less religious Age of recovery – disasters of 14th century included Black Death, political instability, decline in church power Rise of Humanism – new view of humans and their abilities Leon Battista Alberti – “Men can do all things if they will.”
A Renaissance Man Painter Sculptor Architect Inventor Mathematician Responsible for: Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, Vitruvian Man
Mona Lisa Leonardo da Vinci – Circa 1503-1506
The Last Supper Leonardo da Vinci – Circa 1494-1498 C.E.
The Vitruvian Man Leonardo da Vinci – Circa 1490 C.E.
Rise of Italian City-States During Middle Ages, Italy failed to have a single, centralized, monarchy City-States developed independently in Northern & Central Italy City-States: Milan, Florence, & Venice Expanded and played important roles in Italian politics Trade stimulated economic growth Increased trading because of Crusades Goods from the East; silks, sugar, & spices
Early Trade Routes
Renaissance Italy Circa 1500 C.E.
Powerful Italian City-States Milan Venice Francesco Sforza Leader of Mercenary band Strong centralized state Very efficient tax system Elected leader called Doge Trade empire was extremely profitable International Power Location, Location, Location
Florence Ruled by the Medici Family Ruled behind the scenes with influence and wealth Cultural center of Renaissance Italy Experience period of decline Focus on manufacture and trade of cloth Increased competition from English and Flemish cloth makers
The Italian Wars 1494 C.E. Growth of strong monarchial states in Europe led to problems for Northern Italy French king, Charles VIII leads army into kingdom of Naples (southern Italy) Northern Italian city-states seek help from the Spanish Spanish and French turned Italy into battleground for 30 yrs Turning Point = 1527 C.E. Spanish king, Charles I’s army along with mercenaries from other countries sack Rome
Renaissance & Politics Niccolo Machiavelli – wrote The Prince, one of the most influential works on political power in the Western world Central Theme – how to acquire and keep political power Continues to be read & studied today
Renaissance Society Divided into 3 estates, social classes Nobility Peasants Clergy Each class had a set of ideal traits & characteristics Nobles = Baldassare Castiglione wrote The Book of the Courtier Described the “perfect” noble
Peasants & Townspeople Made up the largest estate, 85 – 90% Decrease in number of serfs, many moved to cities once they became free Townspeople had a hierarchy Patricians Wealth from trade, industry, banking gave them power & influence Burghers Shopkeepers, artisans, guildmasters Workers & unemployed Poverty rose dramatically during 13th & 14th centuries
Family & Marriage Family unit was very important to society Father/Husband was head of household Many arranged marriages Dowry – sum of money paid to husband by wife’s family upon marriage Father had to formally free children
Impact of the Printing Press Johannes Gutenberg of Germany 1455 C.E. prints the Gutenberg Bible Allows information and ideas to spread extremely fast
On a separate sheet of paper… What does the term Renaissance mean? What are the 3 characteristics of the Italian Renaissance? What does it mean to have a secular view? Name one of Leonardo’s great masterpieces. What were the main 3 city-states discussed in class? What is a mercenary? What 2 countries turned Italy into their battlefield? Who wrote the book The Prince? What was The Prince about? What were the 3 estates of Renaissance society? Name the book that described the ideal noble.
Continued… In 1455 C.E., what book was printed by Johannes Gutenberg and had a major impact on European society? Who was at the top of the social ladder in urban society? What is a dowry? Who was in charge of the family unit during the Renaissance period?