1. Topic: Origins of the Renaissance
Unit: Renaissance

2. Essential Question: Why did the Renaissance begin in Italy?
The Renaissance started in Florence, Italy and spread north.

3. European
History . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In these towns society began to
The breakdown of the manor
incredible changes throughout
flourish with the new critical mass.
unlike any before. The Dark Ages
system led to the growth of towns.
The sharing of ideas began a new
Episode 4: A New Hope
all of the kingdoms of Europe.
The tragedy of the black death led to
were finally over once and for all.
age of art, science and learning

4. Influence of Trade
Italy’s location on the sea meant it had easy access to ports, trade, and global merchants.
It had the benefit of roads and architecture left over from the Roman Empire.
It sat on some major trade routes.
Demand decreased so did prices and people could buy more including goods from China, India, and other lands.

5. The Silk Road Used from AD 1 – 200, closed after Han dynasty.
When the Mongols took over China they reopened the Silk Road.
This allowed Europe to trade with China.
Marco Polo traveled this road (maybe…) and brought back many items and stories.
The Crusades exposed Europeans to the treasures of the East.
These gave Europeans new ideas about the world
Inspired them to invent and create new things.

6. Separate States and Rival Rulers
Italy was made up of independent states with different governments.
Trading cities acted as centers for trade and manufacturing.
Milan: silk & weapons Florence: textiles
Venice: Port, glass Genoa: port
Most big cities had a signoria, one wealthy merchant family controlled the government.
Signori (ruling families) from different cities competed over wealth, trade, and fame.

7. Separate States and Rival Rulers
Florence – Center of Italian art, literature, and culture.
1300s the population was 120,000
Wealth from trade, wool, and banking (kept money for merchants throughout Europe). Families made money by opening banks & charging interest
(fee for borrowing money).

8. What is Interest? YEAR INTEREST
LOAN STARTING PRICE
INTEREST
LOAN ENDING PRICE
$1,000
10%
($1,000 X 10%=)
$100.00
$1,100 1
($1,100 X 10%=)
$110.00
$1,210 2
($1,210 X 10%=)
$121.00
$1,331 3
($1,331 X 10%=)
$133.10 4
Interest: Is the fee that borrowers pay for the use of someone else’s money.
For example-When you take out a mortgage to purchase a house, you will pay interest to the bank for the use of the money.
Let’s give interest a try!!!
$1,464.10
$1,464.10
10%
($1, X 10%=)
$146.41
$1,610.51

9. The Medici Family Florence’s richest family (bankers) circa 1400s.
Closely tied to the Church  God’s bank
1435 Cosimo de’ Medici ruled the city.
Patron of the arts. He custom-made or paid many artists including: Donatello, Botticello, da Vinci, Michelangelo, and more…
Largely responsible for the birth of the Renaissance.
Built libraries to improve education.
Other family members became church officials, popes, queens, dukes and political leaders.