The Renaissance Chapter 12 Section 1

The Italian Renaissance The word renaissance means “rebirth” 1350 – 1550: people believed to have witnessed a rebirth the ancient Greek and Roman Worlds Later re-named the Italian Renaissance

What are the most important characteristics of the Renaissance? Italy was an urban society. Powerful city-states became the center of Italian political, economic, and social life. A secular, or worldly, viewpoint emerged as increasing wealth created new enjoyment of material things. The Renaissance was an age of recovery from the disasters of the 14th century – the plague, political instability and a decline of Church power. A new view of human beings emerged as people in the Italian Renaissance emphasized individual ability.

Did everyone witness a rebirth? OF COURSE NOT! The wealthy upper classes, who made up a small percentage of the total population, more actively embraced the new ideas and activities. Indirectly, however the Italian Renaissance did have some impact on ordinary people.

Italian Cities Milan Venice Rome Independent City-State One of the richest cities in Italy Visconti Family established themselves as Dukes of Milan Independent City State Link between Asia and W. Europe. Republic with an elected ruler called a doge In reality Venice was ruled by wealthy merchant aristocrats A republic dominated the reign of Tuscany Small wealthy group gained control and waged war against their neighbors to establish Florence as a major city state. Late 1400s, Florence experienced an economic decline – their economy was based off of cloth manufacturing.

Francesco Sforza Duke of Milian in 1477, after the death of the last Visconti leader Lead a band of mercenaries – soldiers who fought for the highest bidder Built a strong centralized state Efficient tax system

Cosimo de Medici and Lorenzo de Medici Cosimo took control of Florence in 1434 Ran the government from behind the scenes. Lorenzo is Cosimo’s grandson. Using their wealth and personal influence, dominated the city when it was the cultural center of Italy.

Savonarola Took control of Florence away from the Medici family People soon grew tired of his strict regulations on gambling, horseracing, swearing, painting, music and books. He attacked the corruption of the Church which angered the Pope – sentenced to death Power returned to the Medici family

The Italian Wars The growth of powerful monarchial states in the rest of Europe eventually led to trouble for the Italian states. French King Charles VIII led an army of 30,000 men into Italy in 1494 where he occupied Naples. ‘ Northern Italy turned to the Spanish for help who sent soldiers to Italy – for the next 30 years, the French and Spanish battled in Italy for control.

The Italian Wars On May 5, 1527 thousands of troops belonging to Spanish King Charles I, along with mercenaries from different countries arrived at the city of Rome. The next day the invading forces smashed the gates and pushed into the city – the troops went berserk in a frenzy of blood shet and looting. The terrible sack of Rome in 1527 by the armies of Charles I ended the Italian Wars and left the Spanish a dominant force in Italy.

Machiavelli on Power

The Nobility By 1500, nobles, old and new again dominated society. Making up only 2-3% of the population in most countries, nobles held important political posts and served as advisers to the king. A noble was born, not made and must have character, grace and talent. A noble must be a warrior, but also needed a classical education and interest in the arts and needed to follow a certain standard of conduct.

Peasants and Townspeople In the Renaissance peasants still constituted 85-90% of the total European population. By 1500, more and more peasants became legally free. Townspeople made up the rest of this social class. Patricians – wealth from trade, industry and banking Burghers – shopkeepers, artisans, guild masters and guild members. Made up 30-40% of the urban population.

Family and Marriage The family bond was a source of great security. Parents carefully arranged marriages to strengthen business or family ties – often worked out when children were only 2 or 3 years old. The marriage contract included a dowry, a sum of money that the wife’s family gave to the husband upon marriage.

Family and Marriage The father/husband was the center of the Italian family. He managed all finances and made the decisions that determined his children’s lives – he had absolute authority of the children until he died or formally freed them. Children did not become adults at a certain age, but rather when their father stood before a judge and freed them. (normally in the early teens – late 20s)

Contrast the social structure of the Middle ages and the Renaissance