1. The Renaissance Spreads to Northern Europe
Essential Question: What aided the spread of Renaissance ideas from Italy to Northern Europe?

2. The Beginnings of the Renaissance
Renaissance literally means “rebirth”
Renaissance began in Italy (Florence)
Reasons: thriving cities, wealthy merchants, Greek and Roman heritage
Italy=Urban
Easier for people to share ideas
Rest of Europe=rural

3. Looking to Greece and Rome
Wanted to return to the learnings of the Greeks and Romans
Inspiration from Roman ruins
Studied Ancient Latin and Greek Manuscripts
Classical ideas  new outlook on life
Humanism=human potential and achievements
Humanities=study of literature, history and philosophy

4. Spread to Northern Europe
End of Hundred Years’ War in1453– cities grew
Merchants became wealthy and supported the arts
First in Flanders—long-distance trade and cloth industry
England and France unified under monarchs who supported artists
King of France hired Leonardo da Vinci

5. The Printing Press
During the 15th and 16th century, the Renaissance spread beyond Italy to France, Holland, England and Spain.
In the mid-1400s, Johann Gutenberg invented a moveable metal type and printing press.
The first book printed in Europe was the Gutenberg bible around 1455
Before the printing press, books were copied by hand
Question: How did the printing press help to spread Renaissance ideas?

6. This advent of the printing press allowed for books to be mass produced
The increased circulation of books helped to spread the ideas of the Renaissance.

7. Language
During this period Latin was the official language of the Roman Catholic church and scholars throughout Europe
Other languages such as: Italian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Dutch, German and English developed through everyday usage
Eventually, scholars dropped writing in Latin and began writing in their own languages
Question: How did writing in their own vernacular [dialect spoken by ordinary people] help to also further the spread of Renaissance ideas?

8. This allowed more people to read the scholars works, because Latin was not widely known outside of the church and the educated scholars of Europe
This combined with the printing press, which led to an increase in printed materials and allowed for cheaper printed materials to be produced
These factors allowed people to become more literate and better educated

10. Trade
Trade with merchants from all throughout Europe, which caused people to come in contact with each other and share their ideas
When scholars heard about Italy, they travelled to Italy to come in contact with new ideas → bringing the new ideas then back to their home countries