1. The Renaissance “Movement of creativity in art, writing, and thought” Means rebirth and lasted from 1300-1600 Bring back the classic culture of Greece and Rome Instead of “bringing back” a culture the Renaissance created a new way of life Creating new art, literature, architecture and an emphasis on the individual Celebration of the individual

2. Why did the Renaissance Start? The Black Plague People wanted to celebrate life and the human spirit Questioning institutions during the Middle Ages, especially the Church, feudalism Fall of Constantinople last link to Greece and Rome Rise of Italy the center of the Renaissance

3. Rise of the Renaissance Italy’s Role Northern Italy becomes the center of the Renaissance Large population of people came from Constantinople to live in Italy The people brought culture from classical Greece and Rome into the area Plague kills off the back bone of the feudal system in Italy, the peasant population

4. Renaissance in Italy Continued Trade during the Crusades led to growth of large city-states in Italy Cities allowed people to meet and share ideas Early 1300’s plague hits Europe killing 60 to 75 percent of the population Very high merchant class in Italy Rich history of Greece and Rome in Italy

5. Rise of the merchant class and the Medici family Small city-states in Milan and Florence allowed more people to be involved in political life Merchants believed in individual merit not entitled to nobility because of wealth or family The Medici family was a powerful banking family that could fund a revival Medici family Controlled Florence’s government Medici family valued ancient Greece manuscripts and thought and in turn created a new way of life Petrarch considered the father of the Renaissance