The European Renaissance “Living, I despise what melancholy fate has brought us wretches in these evil years. Long before my birth time smiled and may again, for once there was, and yet will be, more joyful days. But in this middle age time's dregs sweep 'round us, and we bend beneath a heavy load of vice. Genius, virtue, glory now have gone, leaving chance and sloth to rule. Shameful vision this! We must awake or die. “ --- Petrarch (1304-1374)

The European Renaissance "Renaissance," French for "rebirth," describes the intellectual, artistic, and economic changes that occurred in Europe from the 14th-15th century.

Where did the Renaissance begin? The European Renaissance began in northern Italy, and was based in three independent cities; Florence, Venice, and Milan. The Renaissance ideas would eventually spread into northern Europe as Spain and France fought with each other in Italian lands.

So what caused the Renaissance? Recovery from the Black Death led to new commercial ventures & economic opportunity Contact with Muslims in Spain & the Middle East led to revival of classical texts Increased wealth led to patronage of the arts and learning

Causes of the Renaissance The Crusades created renewed interest in classical cultures as scholars uncovered Roman and Greek writings, which revived learning. Strategically located in the Mediterranean Sea and characterized by commercially strong city-states Italian trade flourished.

Causes of the Renaissance Nobles and prominent families such as the Medicis grew wealthy from the trade and used this wealth to patron the arts. By the end of the 15th century Renaissance ideas had spread from Italy to Northern Europe. Trade supported a growing population, which led to an increased demand for goods, which promoted more trade and then more wealth.

Effects of the Renaissance New intellectual ideas emerged that viewed man as a rational being. Writings and artwork focused more on worldly matters. Ideal of a “Renaissance Man”-one who had many areas of talent was promoted. Humanism-celebration of the individual in the here and now rather than the afterlife became important.

HUMANISM Humanism was the intellectual movement based on the study of classical Greek and Roman art and literature. Resulted in a new spirit of inquiry Promoted the spirit of individualism & secularism Petrarch, the “Father of Humanism” collected Latin manuscripts and taught that scholars should analyze the world around them and not rely solely on faith.

Effects of the Renaissance Classical history of the Greeks and Romans was recovered and studied along with a reexamination of Roman architecture and engineering. (Classicism) Unprecedented achievements in art, literature, and music Europeans begin to examine long held beliefs in many areas including science, religion, politics, art, education, and contact with non-Europeans  

Explain What was the political, intellectual, artistic, economic, and religious impact of the Renaissance?

Impact of the Renaissance Political Italian city-states grew wealth as did prominent families, merchants and nobles. Machiavelli writes about political philosophy in The Prince and argues that the ends justify the means. Feudalism has declined, increasingly powerful kings consolidate power and wealth

Intellectual Ideal of a “Renaissance Man”-one who had many areas of talent was promoted. Humanism-celebration of the individual in the here and now rather than the afterlife became important. Classicism- recovered and studied Greek and Roman writings Efforts to introduce reason into theological debates results in the introduction of scholasticism in universities Use of Latin in writing of scholars, lawyers and theologians, yet use of vernacular in literary works

Artistic & Economic Artistic Unprecedented achievements in art, architecture, literature, and music Economic Growth of a middle class of professionals and merchants Expansion of guilds as economic activists and organizers.

Religious Creation of the Christian Humanist movement-argued for religious reform of the church. Growing movement of individual piety brought about by individual study of the works of Christianity. Growing secularism reflected in a concentration on living in the here and now as opposed to sole obsession about salvation as in the Middle Ages.