1. The European Renaissance & Reformation

2. I. Beginnings Connection to ancient Greece and Rome
Late Middle Ages – people began to question popular traditions and institutions, including the Catholic Church
New ideas about art, religion, and philosophy began to take hold
Renaissance – means “rebirth”, refers to a revival in art and learning
Connection to ancient Greece and Rome
Renaissance scholars looked to the works and ideas of ancient Greeks and Romans for inspiration

3. I. continued…
Began in Italy, eventually moved north, lasted from
Why did it begin in Italy?
More urban (more cities) than rest of Europe = more people = more/better exchange of ideas
Wealthy merchant class – merchants and businessmen became as, or more, powerful than nobles
Patrons of the arts – supported artists financially, became a way to display wealth and power

4. II. New Outlooks Scholars started thinking in new ways
Humanism – an intellectual movement that focused on human potential and achievements
Based on the study of classical Greek texts
Society was becoming more secular – worldly, rather than spiritual and concerned with the here and now
Writers began writing in the vernacular – their native language, instead of Latin
The Renaissance Man/Woman
Men should be well educated and excel in many different areas of learning, should be a skilled soldier
Women were expected to be educated and charming.
Inspire art, but not encouraged to create it
CHALLENGE
QUESTION!

5. IV. The Renaissance Spreads North
Northern Renaissance began in 1400s
Centered in northern France, England, Netherlands
Many Italian artists/scholars left Italy because of war/ conflict, headed north bringing their ideas with them
Wealthy northern merchants and monarchs (kings and queens) became patrons of the arts
Many artists and writers worked to reform society based on these new ideas
Focus on education of the individual, criticism long-time traditions

6. IV. Continued…
New innovation of moveable type used to spread Renaissance ideas quickly
1300s, moveable type reached Europe from China
1440s – Johann Gutenberg creates the first European printing press, can print whole books quickly and cheaply
Bible was first book to be printed using these new techniques (1455)
Books became cheap enough that almost anyone could buy them
Not limited to just nobility and church officials

7. V. Impact of the Renaissance on Society
This period of time marked many changes from the ideas of the early Middle Ages in both art and everyday life
Some changes in society
Printing press made information more widely available
Learning and education became more commonplace, available to more people
People began to question, and eventually, change traditional political and religious institutions
Will lead to other big developments: Reformation, Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment

8. VI. Reforming the Church
The power of the Church had been increasingly criticized throughout the Middle Ages
The ideas planted during the Renaissance began a movement to actually change the Church
Leads to the Reformation – a movement for religious reform, focused on the Catholic Church (1500s)
Why were people upset?
Northern European merchants/nobles disliked paying taxes to church in Rome
Some argued that Church leaders were corrupt, dishonest
Priests and bishops were uneducated
Printing press made it possible to quickly spread these new ideas/information about Church reform

9. I DO BELIEVE WE HAVE A CHALLENGE QUESTION.
VII. Martin Luther
I DO BELIEVE WE HAVE A CHALLENGE QUESTION.
German monk, lived
Wrote the 95 Theses (formal statements) attacking the Church
Some main ideas:
Salvation was through faith, not through “good works”
Church teachings should be based only on words of the Bible
People should be able to interpret the Bible for themselves
Angry over the practice of selling indulgences: pardon that released a sinner from performing the penalty that a priest imposed for sins
It was also thought that buying indulgences guaranteed them a spot in heaven

10. VII. Continued…
Luther was excommunicated in by the Catholic Church
Holy Roman Emperor Charles V later declared Luther an outlaw and heretic
Luther went into hiding, but continued to work
Over time, Luther’s influence led to new religious movement, Protestantism
Protestant – term used to describe Western European Christians who belonged to non-Catholic churches
Examples: Lutheran, Calvinism, Anabaptists
Anglicism – founded after the Pope refused to annul King Henry VIII of England’s marriage

11. VIII. Impact of Reformation
Catholic Reformation
Catholic Church was forced to implement reforms in an attempt to keep people from leaving the Church
Banned the false selling of indulgences (could not tell people they were guaranteed to go to Heaven)
Cleaned up corruption in high Church positions
Jesuits helped spread ideas and convert non-Christians to Catholicism
Impact of Reformation on European society
Education became more important in spreading beliefs of both Catholics and Protestants
More schools/opportunities for peasants
Individual kings/countries become more powerful as the Catholic Church struggled for control
Conflict arises out of religious disagreements

12. EXIT TICKET
What is Johannes Gutenberg known for? Why is this important?
What were indulgences?
What is a Protestant religion? Give two examples.
What was the Catholic Reformation?

13. CHALLENGE QUESTION
Read the two primary source accounts, on pg. 473 in your text, about being a Renaissance Man and Woman.
Compare these ideas to modern ideas about the roles of men and women in society.
Discuss how they are similar and different.
Discuss what a modern “Renaissance” man and women is today.
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14. CHALLENGE QUESTION Read the selection from Martin Luther’s 95 Theses.
Describe, using complete sentences, four grievances (complaints) that Martin Luther had regarding the Catholic Church.
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