1. Renaissance Civilization
“The Renaissance ushered in a spirit of modernity, freeing the individual from the domination of society and creative impulses from the repression of the church; the Renaissance represented the beginning of secular society and the preeminence of the creative individual” -Jakob Burkhardt (1860)
Renaissance Civilization

2. Humanism in the age of “Rinascita”
Revived interactions with the East sponsored a renewed interest in the Greco-Roman past.
Notable men viewed themselves as leading society on a march towards greatness
Humanism-the belief that men are capable of great things!
Rafael’s School of Athens—a Historic Example of Humanism

3. Hallmarks of the Renaissance
Printing: mechanical writing replaces scriptoria, cheaper and more widespread
Painting: From artisan to artist
Sculpture: artists were now exalted figures
Literature: mainly a northern Europe phenomenon
Musical performance: low countries writing “symphonic” pieces—or many voices/instruments

4. Why Italy? Quicker plague recovery City-state structure
Wealthy banking and commercial structure
Abundant patronage from Vatican and wealthy of Florence

5. The Italian City-State
Florence:
Roughly the size of Massachusetts
Population of 260,000
City of Florence had 38,000 people…yet despite that being 14% of the total it had 70% of the wealth!
60% of the people who lived there were “little people” or workers, artisans, farmers, and small merchants.
30% were “fat people” or wealthier merchants, leading artisants, doctors, and notaries.
9% were slaves and servants (usually of Balkan descent)
The top 1% were a mere 100 families who owned more than 25% of the total wealth!

6. Types of City-States
Florence: Roman style Republican state, led by a single family: the de’ Medici’s
Venice: a small trading empire located around one city-state stretching from Adriatic to Aegean
Milan: A heredtiary Dynasty since the 1300’s. A curious “duchy style state” blended feudalism and a ruling family.
Naples: a strange blend of a local monarchy with the strong pull of historic French influences.
Papal States: the areas under the direct control of the Pontiff and the Church. Popes wielded both political and cultural power.

7. European Renaissance Historical context
Ming in China beginning vast explorations and economic resurgence of China in the wake of the Mongols.
India is under the dominion of the Mughal Empire
States in the Americas are developing under the Inca and the Aztec
Islamic civilization was flourishing under the Safavids and Ottomans
African states under the Songhay and Benin were emerging as powerful empires in Africa

9. The Decline of Italy
Of the Italian city states, there were 5 that were dominant
Dramatically impacted by the fall of Constantinople by the Ottomans
Fall of Constantinople wrecked Italian Trade
Brief outbreak of plague in the 1500’s
The Wars Of Italy: : Naples and Papal States versus Milan
Italian Wars opened door for invasion from France

10. Political States of Europe: France
Ravaged by 100 years War
Restoration of Monarchy: under Charles VII
Promotion of a powerful military
War upon Aristocratic intrigue under Louis XI: The Spider King

11. Political States of Europe: England
Suffered catastrophic losses from Black Death
Saw a devastating civil war: The War of the Roses ( )
These disasters impacted trade, agriculture, and industry
Lancarasterists won the W.O.R and were able to crush power of nobles and restore order.
Evolution of parliament as a viable political institution
Henry VIII inherited a peaceful nation in 1509

12. The War of the Roses

13. Ferdinand and Isabella
Spain
Style
Spain remained independent kingdoms. A contrast to England and France
Ferdinand and Isabella
Finished “reconquista”
Seized control of the Al-Andalus
Empire
Exploration
By 1600 Spain had the largest Empire in the World.
North American holdings.
Gold!
Inquisition
Ferdinand and Isabella worked with Pope to establish an inquisition to make sure Spain was Christian.
Anti-Semitism

14. Reached a high point under Philip II
The Habsburgs
Habsburgs took advantage of the hereditary nature of European political rule.
Cleverly intermarried into control of several European areas, within the Holy Roman Empire
Reached a high point under Philip II
Habsburg Family