Renaissance
Europe
Periodization 1450-1750
• World Becomes Global – Americas part of trade network,
Europe gains access to Asian trade routes, Colombian
exchange of goods, disease and cultures.
• Improvement of weapons and shipping allow Europe to
dominate others – transport of Africans, decimation of
Americans
• New social structure based on race in Latin America;
women in harem hold political power behind scenes
• Renaissance and Reformation will challenge traditional
authority in Europe; China’s reaffirmation of traditional
beliefs will stabilize it – but lead to isolation
• Predominant form of political organization will remain
empire – European empires including new world,
Ottomans, Mughals and Qing grew powerful.
What Renaissance is
• Rebirth of Greek and Roman thoughts and
ideas, caused by
– influx of Byzantine refugees after Ottoman take-over
of Constantinople (1453)
– Rise of new bourgeoisie class of merchants (Medici)
who will become new patrons of arts and literature
and investors in scientific discovery.
– Period of recovery from disasters of 14th century
(Black Death, economic recession, and political
disorder)
Raphael, School of Athens
• Imaginary gathering of ancient philosophers –
including Plato/Aristotle
Renaissance Europe - Politics
• In the 17th century, more centralized monarchies replaced feudal
governments at the expense of the regional aristocracy through
militarization and more extensive administration.
• France best example of absolute powers with divine right. Under
Louis XIV, France developed a national economic policy
(mercantilism), encouraged scientific development, and destroyed
the independent power of the nobility. Intimidated other European
nations in a series of wars. To halt French aggression, other states
formed alliances.
• In eastern Europe, monarchs attempted to emulate France, built
strong armies and created national economic plans. Prussia also
used its military as a means of expanding its borders in eastern
Europe.
• Britain and the Netherlands created parliamentary regimes. The
Glorious Revolution of 1699 produced a government in which
parliament won sovereignty over the monarchs. John Locke, in
supporting the concept of parliamentary government, argued that
power was derived from the people and that kings ought to govern in
the public interest.
Renaissance Italy - Politics
• With removal of threat of
Germans/Holy Roman Empire, Five
powerful city-states: Milan, Venice,
Florence, Naples, Papal States
flourished, but no centralization.
• Papal States in center, Kingdom of
Naples controlled by French, Sicily
will be controlled by Spain (Aragon).
• Strong merchant families controlled
politics, but nominally republic
(Medici in Florence, Visconti in
Milan)
• King Charles VIII (1483-98) of
France invaded Italy and occupied
Naples
– Other states turned to Spain for
aid
– For the next 30 years Spain and
France competed over Italy
– Rome sacked in 1527
Renaissance Italy - Politics
• Cosimo de’Medici (14341464) controlled Florence
through system of patronage
(amici de’ amici) – especially
arts to glorify new family.
• Bankers to the Pope
Renaissance Italy - Politics
• Niccolò Machiavelli (14691527)
– The Prince (1513)
» Political power to
restore and maintain
order
» Humanity is selfcentered (not based on
Christian morals)
» Ends justifies the
means
» “It is better to be feared
than loved”
» Dedicated to Lorenzo
de’ Medici
Renaissance France - Politics
• Religious Wars in France 1560
– 1598 - Catholics vs.
Huguenots
• Catherine de’ Medici was
queen mother of France – In
1572, 1000s of Huguenots fill
Paris to celebrate the marriage
of Catherine’s daughter to
Henry of Navarre (Huguenot).
During the wedding, Catherine
sends out soldiers to kill the
Huguenots – 10,000 die in
what is known as the St.
Bartholomew’s Day Massacre.
• Henry of Navarre converts to
Catholicism and promotes
religious tolerance with Edict
of Nantes (1598)
• French Wars of
Religion, 1562-1598
– Huguenots
» 7 percent of the
population but
40-50 percent of
the French
nobility
– Ultra-Catholics
– War of the three
Henries, 1588-1589
– Henry IV, 1589-1610
• Edict of Nantes, 1598
Renaissance France - Politics
• After 100 yrs War, French
nationalism led to increased
power of monarchy
• Louis XI (1461-1483) – “the
Spider”
– Strengthened use of taille
(direct tax)
• Louis XIII (1610-1643). Controlled
by Cardinal Richelieu (of Three
Musketeer fame) rule as Prime
Minister.
- Disbands Estates-General
initiating absolutism (1614)
- creates intendants to act as
spies
- forced nobles to tear down wall
- gave titles to merchants
Renaissance
France - Politics
• Louis XIV (1643-1715) –
“The Sun King”
- “L’etat, c’est moi.”
- increased mercantilism to
pay of series of
expansionist wars and
private luxuries
- huge court ceremonies at
Versailles to keep nobles
busy w/o powers
- revoke Edict of Nantes
Renaissance Spain - Politics
– Originally divided into several independent Christian kingdoms
– Unified with marriage of Isabella of Castile, 1474-1504 to
Ferdinand of Aragon, 1479-1516
– Religious uniformity “Reconquista” – Spanish Inquisition
– Promoted exploration for mercantilist and missionary interests
Renaissance Spain - Politics
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
(1519-1556) territory included
the Spanish kingdoms of Aragón
and Castile; the Netherlands;
the Italian states of Naples,
Sicily, and Sardinia; Spanish
conquests in America and
Africa;
• Wars with France
• Conflict with Martin
Luther in Germany
• Attack by the
Ottoman Turks
• Peace of Augsburg,
1555
Renaissance Spain - Politics
• Philip II of Spain, 1556-1598
AP
– Strict conformity to
Loves –
Catholicism
not
– Created “holy league”
regents
against Turkish
encroachment in
Mediterranean - Battle of
Lepanto, 1571, against the
Turks
• Problems with the Netherlands
(Phillip raised taxes to pay for
lost of revenues in New World) –
England supported Netherlands
– Phillip responds with Armada
(1588), Netherlands gains indep.
• Philip went bankrupt from
excessive spending in 1596
Ms.
Lyons
loves –
not
regents or
AP
Renaissance Spain - Politics
• Thirty Years War (1618-1648)
• German protestants rebelled
against Catholic Hapsburg
seeking to establish their own
churches.
• Most European countries took
sides – following religious
beliefs and in attempts to
maintain a balance of power.
Except France – Cardinal
Richelieu joined protestant
side in order to check Spanish
power in Europe.
• Ended with Peace of Westphalia (German
princes could decide religious status of their
Result –
states. Germany would remain divided for 200
years. Power of Hapsburg/Holy Roman Emperor
economic devastation,
was almost eliminated. France became central
1/3 population died
power in Europe)
Renaissance England - Politics
– War of the Roses, 1450s1485 (civil war after 100yrs
War)
– Henry VII, 1485-1509,
Tudors
– Abolished private
armies
– Henry VIII
- Act of Supremacy
“Bloody” Mary Tudor (r. 1553
– 1557) married to Phillip II
Queen Elizabeth I, 15581603,
– Killed Mary Queen
of Scots
– Spanish Armada,
1588
Renaissance England
– Politics
• England and the Emergence of
Constitutional Monarchy
– Revolution and Civil War
• James I (1603-1625) of
England, James VI of
Scotland
– King James version of
Bible,
– Made Great Britain
(combining England,
Scotland & Ireland)
– Persecuted Puritans – go
to America as pilgrims
• Charles I (1625-1649) –
believed in divine right
– Petition of Rights 1628
(ripped up after gained
money from parliament)
– Civil war, 1642-48
(Parliament vs. King)
– Executed in January 30,1649
• Monarchy abolished
• Republic (or commonwealth),
1648-1660
– Oliver Cromwell became
military dictator (Puritan)
Renaissance England - Politics
• Restoration and a Glorious
Revolution
– Charles II (1660-1685)
• Declaration of
Indulgence, 1672 –
forced to revoke by
Parliament
– James II (1685-1688)
• Birth of a son, 1688 CATHOLIC
• Glorious Revolution –
bloodless coup by
Parliament
• Throne offered to
William of Orange and
his wife Mary, the
Protestant daughter of
James II
• Bill of Rights - 1688
Renaissance Holy Roman Empire Politics
• After 1438 position of Holy Roman emperor in the hands of the
Habsburgs
• Rulers of eastern Europe struggled to achieve centralization of
territorial states
• Religious difficulties -- Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and
other groups such as the Mongols
– Absolutism in Central and Eastern Europe
• Brandenburg-Prussia
– Frederick William the Great Elector (1640-1688)
» Army (due to lack of natural borders) and General War
Commissariat; Junkers = Prussian landed aristocracy
serving as officers in army
– Frederick I
• Austria
– Territorial expansion (Hungary, Transylvania, Croatia &
Slovenia)
– Monarch never becomes centralized – too many
nationalities
– Collection of territories
» Each has own laws and political life
Renaissance Russia - Politics
• Ivan IV the Terrible
(1533-1584)
– Expanded territory
eastward
– Autocratic, killed
boyars, killed son
• Zemsky Sobor (national
assembly) chose
Michael Romanov in
1598 to be new tsar
Renaissance Russia - Politics
Peter the Great (1689-1725)
•
•
•
•
Trip west, 1697-1698
Reorganize army and navy
Westernization (shave beard)
St. Petersburg, “window to
the west”
• reorganized government –
established Senat as highest
institution.
• confiscated Russian
Orthodox money for
government use.
Renaissance Europe - Economics
• At start – Italians
(especially Venetians)
had huge commercial
empire rivaled only by
Hanseatic League in
North.
• Foreign invasions of the
Italian peninsula after
1500 and the introduction
of Atlantic trade routes
diminished the role of
Italy in commerce and
politics.
• In the 16th
century, the
economic
structure of
Europe underwent
substantial
change.
• massive price
inflation caused
by the influx of
bullion from the
New World
• Inflation
encouraged
investment and
borrowing.
• Governments granted regional trade monopolies to great trading
companies. Insurance began
• With sufficient capitalization, European merchants began to supplant
Arab and Indian traders in East Asia.
• Trade and colonial markets served to create a demand for
manufactured goods. In both agriculture and crafts, there was a shift
toward production for the market rather than for subsistence.
Renaissance Europe - Economics
• Commercial Revolution – 16th-17th centuries
• “Mercantilism” – acquisition of bullion, limitation of
imports (tariffs), increase imperialism (colonies as
markets) – favorable balance of trade
• Joint-stock companies (British East Indian Co., Virginia
Co. – Jamestown)
Renaissance Europe - Economics
• Western consumers began to buy the products of
colonial plantations, such as sugar, coffee, and tea.
• New technologies to increase productivity were
introduced in agriculture. The spread of potato cultivation
improved food supplies. Agricultural specialty areas
developed in the areas of wines, cheeses, wool etc. in
various towns
• During the 18th century, household production
(domestic system) of textiles spread rapidly. Capitalist
merchants supplied raw materials to households who
produced yarn or cloth. Technology in the weaving
industry (flying shuttle) spurred production.
• Average wealth increased – by 1600 western European
peasant owned 5x as many things as eastern European
one.
• Columbian
Exchange
Renaissance Europe - Religion
• Renaissance popes,
1450-1520
» Popes as
leaders of the
Papal States
too involved in
worldly affairs
(Julius II –
Warrior Pope)
• Martin Luther protested the
papal approval for the grant of
indulgences in Germany.
• Ninety-five Theses, 1517,
Wittenberg
• Spread through printing press
• Luther argued against general
authority of the pope,
monasticism, clerical celibacy,
and the restriction of the Bible to
the clergy (translated it to
German).
• Excommunication, 1521
• Edict of Worms (Charles V
banned Luther’s writings and
charged him with heresy)
• Many German princes
responded positively to Luther's
message, at least in part as a
means of advancing their
independence.
• Peasants seeking greater
freedom from their lords and
townsmen eager for justification
for their pursuit of wealth.
Renaissance Europe - Religion
– The Spread of the Protestant Reformation
• Calvin and Calvinism
– John Calvin (1509-1564)
» Institutes of the Christian Religion, 1536
» Predestination
» Geneva, Switzerland, 1536
• English Reformation
– King Henry VIII of England (1509-1574)
» Wanted divorce of Catherine of Aragon
» Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer, 1533
» Act of Supremacy, 1534
» Queen “Bloody” Mary of England (1553-1558) to
restore Catholicism
» Queen Elizabeth I – promoted Protestantism but
tolerance of Catholics
•
The tide of religious reform was felt throughout Europe and changed its political map. The
early commitment of most of northern Europe to Calvinism, Lutheranism, or Anglicanism
was counterbalanced by the recovery to Catholicism of France and Poland. CounterReformation zeal, combined with political confrontation and dynastic rivalry, culminated in
the Thirty Years’ War (1618-48), fought across Europe’s heartland at enormous cost.
Renaissance Europe - Religion
– The Catholic
“Counter” Reformation
• Society of Jesus, 1540
– Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556)
– Absolute obedience to Pope
• Reform papacy
– Pope Paul III, 1534-1549
» Reform commission
» Recognized the Jesuits
» Council of Trent, 1545-1563 (outlawed
indulgences)
» Reaffirmed traditional Catholic teachings
Renaissance Europe - Society
– Renaissance Society
– Three estates: clergy (first
estate); nobility (second
estates); and peasants
and inhabitants of towns
and cities (third estate)
• Nobility
– 2 to 3 percent of the
population
– Political posts
– Ideals of the aristocrat,
Baldassare Castiglione
(1478-1529), The Book of
the Courtier
» Impeccable character,
military service,
standards of conduct
Renaissance Europe - Society
– Peasants and
Townspeople
• Peasants 85-90 percent
of the total population
– Decline of manorialism
and continuing erosion
of serfdom
– Peasants as hired
workers
• Patricians at the top of
the urban society (trade,
industry, and banking)
• Petty burghers
(shopkeepers, artisans,
guild masters, and
guildsmen)
• Property less workers (30
to 40 percent of the urban
population)
Renaissance Europe – Society
(women)
• Arranged marriages
• Father-husband at the center
– Authority was absolute
• Wife manages the household
• More emotional care between
husband/wife emphasized
• Family pattern - late marriage age
(true for most merchant societies
over agricultural – need less labor);
nuclear family as the norm.
Renaissance Europe - Society
Witchcraft (16th-17th c.)
• Cause was economic tensions
due to “little ice age”, war,
famine and plague
– Perhaps 100,000
prosecuted
– Poor most likely to be
accused (communities
unwilling to accept
responsibility for poverty in
community)
– More than 75 percent were
women
• Subsides by mid 17th –
questioning of old attitudes, new
scientific inquiry
Renaissance Europe –
Intellectual/Tech
• Humanist education – based on liberal arts designated by Cicero –
grammar, rhetoric, poetry, moral philosophy, history, music, and
mathematics.
• Western technology in areas
such as metallurgy and printing
advanced after 1500. The advent
of the printing press led to
improvements in literacy and the
rapid dissemination of ideas.
• Extensive adaptation of
“southern” technologies and
original inventions for exploration
– caravels, lateen sails,
astrolabe, cartography
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Renaissance Europe - Intellectual
• The Scientific Revolution
– Background
» Renaissance humanists
» New instruments and machines
» Mathematics – borrowing from Muslims
– Women in the Origins of Modern Science
• Margaret Cavendish (1623-1673)
• Maria Winkelmann (1670-1720)
– Toward New Earth: Descartes and Rationalism
• René Descartes (1596-1650)
• Discourse on Method, 1637
• Deductive reasoning (cogito ergo sum – I think
therefore I am)
– Spread of Scientific Thought
NEW STUFF –
• Francis Bacon (1561-1626)
GLOBAL II (Yippee)
– Inductive reasoning
• Scientific societies
Renaissance Europe - Intellectual
• Military Technology
for empire building
Renaissance Europe - Intellectual
Astronomy
• Copernicus (1473-1543)
– Heliocentric conception
• Johannes Kepler (1571-1630)
– Laws of planetary motion
– Elliptical orbit
• Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)
– Uses the telescope
– Starry Messenger, 1610
» Support Copernicus
» Charged w/heresy forced to
recant
• Isaac Newton (1642-1727)
– Mathematical Principle of Natural
Philosophy
– Three laws of motion
» Universal law of gravitation
Renaissance Europe - Intellectual
Human biology
• Andreas Vesalius –
1539 (used
dissection to correct
anatomical chart of
Galen)
• William Harvey –
1628 (discovered
function of heart and
two types of blood)
Renaissance Europe - Intellectual
Chemistry
• Robert Boyle (Boyle’s
Law – 1662
volume/pressure gas)
• Andres Celsius
(1742)
• Joseph Priestley –
1772 (discovered
oxygen)
• Benjamin Franklin
(electricity) - 1776
Renaissance Europe – Literature
• Classicism became popular in northern European countries,
although classical literature was balanced by innovation in the
vernacular languages.
– Petrarch (1304-1374)
– Rejected scholastic philosophy
– Emphasize classics
– Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536)
• Christianity should be a guiding philosophy for the direction
of daily life
• Reform
– A Golden Age of Literature in England
• William Shakespeare (1564-1614)
Renaissance Europe - Art
– New Renaissance style
• Laws of perspective and geometrical organization of outdoor
space and light
• Investigation of movement and anatomical structure
– High Renaissance
• Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
– Realism and idealism
• Raphael (1483-1520)
– Ideal of beauty
• Michelangelo (1475-1564)
Introduced
oil – more
naturalistic
– Divine beauty
• The Northern Artistic Renaissance
– Jan van Eyck (1390?-1441)
» Oil paint and varied range of colors
– Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528)
» Perspective and proportion
Renaissance Europe - Art
– Art: The Baroque
• Harmonize the classical ideals of
Renaissance art with the spiritual feeling
of the 16th century religious revival
• Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)
Triumph of Truth,
Rubens, oil
Renaissance Europe Demographics
• Increase in population from 60 million in 1500 to
85 million in 1600; decline after 1650, especially
in central and southern Europe due to Thirty
Year’s War and “little ice age” - famine