Today’s LEQ: What set the stage for the dawn of
the modern era?
Most historians
believe the
Renaissance
marked the start
of the modern
world
 Mid 1300s – 1500s


Philosophical and artistic movement that
began in Florence, Italy then spread
throughout Europe
 Think: Why Italy first?


Completely altered the way Europeans
thought about themselves and the world
Three main causes: Trade, Plague, and
Humanism
Exposed Europeans to
other cultures &
sparked curiosity
 Allowed for exchange
of new products, new
markets, and increased
wealth
 Brought on the
bubonic plague 


Spread throughout
Europe and killed 1/3 of
the population


Increased wealth
amongst survivors &
allowed for social
mobility



Encouraged living for the
“here and now”
Caused people to go
against the Church
Before:
1,200
People
After:
800
People
$1,000
Economy
$1,000
Economy
=
$0.83 /
Person
=
$1.25 /
Person
“Ring around the
rosy,
A pocketful of
posies,
Ashes, Ashes,
We all fall down!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZy6XilX
DZQ

Began to adopt classical Greek & Roman
beliefs
 Human capacity to create and achieve, dignity,
and self-worth
 Valued education
 Sought fulfillment in daily life

Believed there was an ideal person – one who
could do almost anything – The Renaissance
Man