Renaissance & Politics “Getting out of the Dark Ages” Unit 3, SSWH 9 a & b
How did life change during the Renaissance and Reformation?
SSWH 9 a & b Explain the social, economic, and political changes that contributed to the rise of Florence and the ideas of Machiavelli. Identify artistic and scientific achievements of Leonardo da Vinci, the “Renaissance man,” and Michelangelo.
Renaissance “rebirth” – Revival of art & learning Europe suffered from both war & plague (Bubonic Plague “Black Death” - 25 million died) Survivors wanted to celebrate life & the human spirit People began questioning institutions: church & govt. Writers & artists began to express this new way of thinking (brought back classic ideas: Greek & Roman) New value: individual (medieval age: valued the community) p
Social & Economic Contributions Cities in Italy grew, Crusaders traveled through Pop. Down (plague): worker could demand higher wages Wealthy merchants (Burghers) developed & got into politics
Politics Merchants dominate politics, believed they deserved power & wealth Medici Family (bankers) ran Florence as a dictator (with the appearance of a democracy) Machiavelli, wrote “The Prince” & said people are fickle, selfish, & corrupt No morals, only concerned with what was effective - “The end justifies the means”
Renaissance Man Educated people, expected to create art Individuals tried to master all areas of study Young man should be charming, witty, & well educated in the classics, trained in/as a dancer, singer, poetry, rider, wrestler, & swordsman
Humanism p focused on human potential & achievements Studied Classical texts (Greek & Roman) Influenced artists and architects
Continued Studied history, literature, and philosophy Examined traditional teachings of the church
Leonardo da Vinci Painter, sculptor, inventor, & scientist Interested in how things worked Famous: paintings Mona Lisa, The Last Supper p.414
Michelangelo Buonarroti Sculptor, poet, architecture, & painter Painted realistic portraits, concentrated on the body – used perspective Famous: painted the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, Sistine Chapel, & statue of David p
Petrarch Father of Renaissance humanism Great poet: wrote both in Italian and Latin
Dante Wrote using vernacular (wrote in everyday local language) and about secular (worldly) things The Divine Comedy in Italian p. 265
Erasmus “ Christian Humanist” Christian Humanist The Praise of Folly To Improve society, all people should study the Bible
Gutenberg & The Printing Press Chinese invented block & moveable type 1440, Johann Gutenberg developed a printing press Process produced books cheaply & quickly p. 418
Continued First book printed: Gutenberg Bible in 1455 it increase the amount of available knowledge in society & literacy Spreading ideas quickly
Ticket Out the Door Why is the Renaissance considered a rebirth? Jot answer Prepare to share in one minute