The Renaissance Begins
Renaissance: means “rebirth”. It began in Italy and spread
throughout Europe.
In 1455, the German metalworker Johannes Gutenbergcreated
the printing press. The press allowed newspapers and books to
be published in large amounts.
It got its name from a rebirth in interest in classical art and
learning that took place from the 1300s through the 1500s in
Ancient Greece and Rome.
During the 1300s, wars and the bubonic plague-the Black
Death-caused great trouble in Europe.
Rome, Venice, Florence and Milan grew rich because from
trade and commerce.
Humanism: believed in the worth and potential of all
individuals. The belief that looks at human life rather than
spiritual beliefs.
Renaissance Writers:The renaissance period had well known
and respected writers.
Dante Alighieriwas the first well-known author to write in both
classical Latin vernacular.
Vernacular: The native language of people from a region or
country.
Two Famous humanists who were writers:
 Petrarch: Italian artist who wrote lyrical poetry
 Giovanni Boccaccio: Wrote books and is famous for The
Decameron, a book about 10 people who fled Florence to
escape the Black Plague.
There was a writer who wrote about political issues his name
was Niccolo Machiavelli. He’s known for his book called The
Prince.
Medieval Art: the medieval period lasted about 500 to 1300 CE.
The purpose was to teach religion to people who could not
read or write.
Artists created:
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Stained glass windows
Sculptures
Illuminated manuscripts
Paintings
tapestries
Renaissance Art:Lasted from the 1300s to the early 1600s. The
purpose was to show the importance of people and nature, not
just religion.
3 great Italian Artists:
 Leonardo da Vinci: painted the Mona Lisa
 Michelangelo: painted the human body
 Raphael: painted the School of Athens
Artists created:
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sculptures
murals
drawings
paintings
The Reformation: A reform movement of the 1500s that split
the Catholic Church and gave birth to the Protestant religion.
The Catholic church of Europe commanded the loyalty and faith
of Europeans.
Unfortunately, most church officials were illiterate and barely
understood the bible.
The church also engaged in corrupt practices, including selling
church positions and charging for church services.
The church sold pardons, known as indulgences, which released
sinners from punishment.
Counter Reformation: a movement to revive and defend
Catholicism in response to the Reformation.
In 1545, it began a series of meetings known as the Council of
Trent. This council defined the Catholic doctrine and called for
need reforms.
Scientific Reformation and Enlightenment
Scientific Reformation: a shift in thinking about the study of
the natural world that began in the 1500s and departed from
traditional religious teachings.
The first major breakthroughs in Science came in the field of
astronomy.
Geocentric Theory:the idea that Earth is the center of the solar
system or universe. Supported by Aristotle and Ptolemy.
Heliocentric Theory:the idea that the sun is the center of the
solar system, with Earth and the other planets revolving it.
Supported by Nicolaus Copernicus.
Galileo Galilei:observed the sky directly with a new invention
the telescope. His observations supported the heliocentric
theory.
Isaac Newton:he published the book Principia, a book that
explained the laws of gravity and motion.
Enlightenment
Enlightenment: European thinkers began to apply scientific
principles to the study of society and government.
Three major thinkers of the Enlightenment Period:
 Thomas Hobbes: he argued that people are naturally
selfish and need strong leaders to keep order.
 John Locke: he argued that the basis of government was
social contract in which people agree to be ruled in return
for protection of their natural rights.
 Adam Smith: he wrote the Wealth of Nations; He believed
that a free market based on competition and self-interest
would best benefit the society.
Locke and Smith had a major impact in the American colonies.
French Philosophers: In the 1700s, the center of the
Enlightenment shifted to France.
The French gathered for lively discussions in private homescalled salons.
The Enlightenment gave rise to new political policies and
beliefs.
It also promoted a positive outlook of the future.