1. The Renaissance: The Beginning

2. I. Fall of the Feudal System
A. Two major events helped to bring about the end of Feudalism in Europe
1. The Crusades- Crusaders brought back goods from the Middle East and Asia which caused an interest in trade and travel
2. The Black Plague- Population decline led to demand for workers who could ask for better benefits and pay. Workers opted to pay rent rather than owe services which ends serfdom

3. II. Commercial Revolution
In the 1200’s, Europe began to experience the Commercial Revolution.
Period of economic development that began in the 1200’s and greatly expanded trade.
Merchants and craftspeople become more aggressive about making a profit.

4. III. Rise of Italian City-States
A. During the Middle Ages, no one was able to unite Italy into one kingdom. Several reasons Italy remained a collection of city-states include:
1. The Church used its power to prevent a strong ruler uniting the kingdom, in fear of their own power being threatened
2. City-States were equal in power
3. City-States were wealthy and loaned money to Europe so they were left alone politically

5. IV. Why were the Italian City-States so wealthy?
Italy becomes the center for trade in Europe
Located in the Mediterranean Sea with access to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East
Trade was based in the cities which became the center for power and wealth
Because of the mass amount of wealth, feudalism never grasps a hold of Italy
Merchants amassed great fortunes and bought up feudal lands elsewhere
Many nobles move to Italian cities in an effort to seek their fortune

6. Trade was based in cities = wealth
The most powerful Italian cities become independent city-states
These city-states will operate without the rule of a noble or king
Key city-states:
Milan
Florence
Venice
Genoa
Rome

7. City-states often specialized in certain crafts.
Florence - dyed cloth
Venice - glassmaking
Italian merchants also began trading for far away goods.

8. Merchants in Venice had a monopoly on Asian products.
Monopoly - sole economic control of a business or product.

9. V. The Medici Family
Florence was the first city-state to become wealthy due to the goods coming from all over the known world
Major issue for Florence was the different currency and the value of coins being used from all over the world
Florentine bankers would become experts using the Florin (gold coin of Florence) to measure the value of other money
Bankers would also lend money and charge interest making bankers the wealthy elite
The wealthiest family in Florence was the Medici family
The Medici Family had branches of banks as far as London, England
The Medici would use their power and influence to take control of the government in 1434 and rule for many decades

10. VI. Humanism
In the 1300s, a new way of understanding developed called Humanism
Based on the values of the Greeks and Romans
The individual and society are important
Humans are superior to all other living creatures
Must be a balance between religion and reason
Would influence many to travel and explore
People began to celebrate human achievements
People became more secular, with less focus on religion

11. VII. Francesco Petrarch
“Father of Italian Renaissance Humanism.”
Biographer of famous Romans
Encouraged many to find lost Latin manuscripts in monasteries in an attempt to create libraries
Vatican Library is one of the largest in the World

12. VIII. The Renaissance “REBIRTH” Time period between 1350 and 1550
Period in history known as the rebirth of the arts and learning of ancient Greece and Rome
It would begin in Italy for three major reasons:
Ruins of the Roman empire would inspire the people
Wealthy merchants would become patrons of education and the arts
Competition between city-states to become the leader in the arts and culture