1. RECOVERY AND REBIRTH: THE AGE OF THE RENAISSANCE

2.  Renaissance = “rebirth”  Marks an end to the middle ages  Northern Italy 1. urban 2. increasing wealth 3. enjoyment of secular/material pleasures  Italy in 14 th and 15 th century -> the birthplace of the modern world 1. Revival of antiquity 2. “perfecting of the individual” 3. Secularism

3. “MEN CAN DO ALL THINGS IF THEY WILL.” 1. emphasis on individual ability 2. regard for human dignity and worth 3. human potentiality 4. a new social ideal = l’uomo universale

4.  Recovery of trade and manufacturing  Key centers of trade 1. Northern Italy 2. Hanseatic League/the Hansa -> dominated north European trade  Italy and Venice were vital commercial centers until the 16 th century  Woolen industry in Florence  Italy -> silk, glassware, metal work, precious stones  New industries in the 15 th century -> printing, mining, metallurgy

5.  Family made fortune in textiles -> expand into banking  In the 15 th century they dominated European banking  Bank branches throughout Europe  Papal bankers  Medici banking empire collapses at the end of the 15 th century LORENZO DE MEDICI

6.  Renaissance society was divided into 1. the 1 st estate = clergy 2. the 2 nd estate = nobility 3. the 3 rd estate = peasants/townspeople

7.  2-3% of the pop  Dominated military and government positions  THE BOOK OF THE COURTIER – written by Castiglione 1528 1. handbook for aristocrats 2. noble should combine natural gifts, rounded education, and good conduct 3. the goal of the perfect noble -> serve his prince

8.  Peasants = 85-90% of pop 1. Decline of the manorial system and decline of serfdom 2. Money economy replaces labor with rent  Townspeople 1. Patricians 2. burghers 3. Propertyless workers 4. unemployed

9.  Slavery disappeared by the 11 th cent.  Labor shortages of 14 th - > reintroduction of slavery  Slaves came from the eastern Med, Black Sea, and Africa  By the 16 th cent slavery had declined and was disappearing in W. Europe

10.  The family and family bond = security  Marriages = arranged, business deal, increase status and wealth, dowry  Father-husband = finances, total authority over children  Wife = managed the household, make babies  Childbirth – 10% mortality rate for mothers  Infant and children mortality -> high, have lots of babies