1. Unit 2: The Renaissance E.Q. 1: What was the Renaissance? Where and When did it begin? Why there?

2. The Renaissance was … a rebirth of interest and remarkable achievements in art, literature, science and learning. What was the Renaissance?

3. Where and when did it occur? The city-states of Italy, especially Florence, around 1300 (14 th century)

4. WHY ITALY? 1.Geographic Location – On Mediterranean Sea --- btwn. Europe and Middle East 2.Wealth from Trade – Desirable goods from Middle East – Banking families (Medici & Borgia) – Patron families who supported the arts 3.Not as feudal – Italy more urban during Middle Ages – Town govt. structure with merchant class 4.Classical Heritage – Birthplace of ancient Roman Empire – Great pride in Classical culture

5. How did it Happen? Feudalism Declined: The Black Death  Killed 1/3 Europe’s population  Caused decline in demand for food  areas could now specialize in other goods  Caused labor shortage among peasants  could now demand more of lords The Bubonic Plague

6. Feudal Lords vs. Kings & Townspeople Years of warfare Years of warfare – The 100 Years War – The 100 Years War (England vs. France) nationalism – decline of feudal lords’ powers as people begin seeing themselves as part of larger nation  nationalism Revival of trade and Town-life Revival of trade and Town-life – Improved agriculture  increased food supply – Peasants leave manors and go to towns/cities

7. The Crusades, 1096-1270 Series of Holy Wars in Late Middle Ages that introduced Europe to: 1.new trade goods 2.“lost” knowledge of Greeks & Romans. This would spark a new economy and create a new view of the world in Europe Christian Crusaders

8. REVIEW 1.The Renaissance means __________ and was a period of interest in ….? 2. It began in the location of ……? 3. When did the Renaissance begin…? 4. Give at least 2 reasons for why it occurred where it did. 5. List 3 reasons for the decline of feudalism; then explain how one of these worked to weaken the feudal system.