The Renaissance
An introduction
SS 08-05
Mini quiz!!!!!
What could they possibly have to do with
the Renaissance?
What are their names?
Make you think of
anyone?
Donatello
Leonardo
Michelangelo
Raphael
All famous painters of the Renaissance!
What do you know
about the
Renaissance?
What is the Renaissance?
 This painting shows and imaginary scene between Michelangelo
and his student.
 The Belvedere torso is part of an ancient Greek sculpture that
inspired Michelangelo to rethink how artists portray the human
body
What is the Renaissance?
 It is one of the moments in history that changed the way
people viewed the world.
 Renaissance – comes from the French word renaître meaning
to be ‘born again’
 A historical period originating in the cities of the Italian
Peninsula in Southern Europe (Florence, Venice, Genoa)
 Aprox 1350 – 1600 CE
 Revival of classical art, architecture, literature and learning
 One of the most notable eras in history
 P. 12-13
Chapter 1 – What Were the Factors that Shaped
the Renaissance Worldview?
 How Did Other Civilizations Set the Stage for the Renaissance in
Europe?
 The Silk Road
 The Hundred Years War
 The Crusades
 The Magna Carta
 Urbanization
 The Black Death
How Did the Renaissance Begin?
 The Crusades
 Entire armies were exposed to different ways of
life
 Europeans became more aware of other
cultures
 Travellers returned home with new ideas and
knowledge
 P.21
How Did the Renaissance Begin?
 The Black Death
 People looked to other reasons as to why to plague
occurred
 Questioned normal healing methods
 No one was safe from the plague (classes obsolete)
 Rich, poor, strong, weak, young and old all affected
How Did the Growth of Cities Contribute to a
Changing Worldview?
 Trade
 Increased contact with other societies
 Revival of business and shipping
 Trade increased wealth among common folk
 Jobs that were not part of the feudal system were
created
 Individuals felt like they were part of communities
rather than belonging to their lord
How Did the Growth of Cities
Contribute to a Changing Worldview?
 Urbanization
 The movement away from countryside into cities
 Caused by increase of trade and jobs in cities
 Within 50 years of the Black Plague the cities of Florence,
Genoa and Venice became the most successful and powerful
cities in Western Europe.
 These cities began as republics (power held by people)
 Were eventually ruled by despots (powerful tyrants) or
oligarchies (government with few people in power)
 These cities began to establish sovereignty through
ambassadors
Renaissance Europe (Italy)
How Did Florence Reflect the Renaissance
Worldview?
 Political and economic systems
 Was a city-state (a city that governs itself and the countryside around it)
 Built by the Arno River which has been a trade route for centuries
 Center for highly successful bankers and silk wool merchants
 Richest of the city states
 Eventually run by one powerful family, the Medici’s p. 36
 Social Systems
 Merchants became wealthier and moved up in class systems
 Organized guilds (organisation of craftsmen of merchants)
 Similar to today’s unions
 Culture



The Medici’s fostered Renaissance culture
Supported all kinds of arts and new knowledge
Promoted ideals of citizenship
How Did Venice Contribute to the Italian
Renaissance?
 Located between the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Europe
 Controlled most of the ports in the Adriatic Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea
 Trade items passed and shipped through Venice
 Social Systems
 Three classes in Venice
 Aristocracy (nobility)
 Original citizens
 Common people
 Government
Venice was a republic
 Head of government called the doge (often the doge voted in by rich, influential
families)
 Scuole
o New social institutions tied to religious beliefs (collected money , prayed, held
masses)

How Did Venice Contribute to the
Italian Renaissance?
 Venice became an important city-state for many reasons
 Stable government
 Most successful in sea trade
 Strong naval base
 Upper class supported to arts
 Became the center for the European book trade
 Had a famous university that promoted the study of science,
medicine, and law
How Did Genoa Reflect the Renaissance
Worldview?
 Was a crossroads of traffic and culture between western Europe






and the Mediterranean
Crusaders who came into the city paid the Genoans for their
services and granted them important trading privileges
Founded a powerful bank due to the increase in trade
Venice and Genoa fought for trade posts in the Mediterranean
until the Peace of Turin in 1381
The peace allowed Genoa to focus and grow its business and trade
sectors
Wealthy families paid for creation of daring architecture
Hired master artists from Rome, Florence and Venice to beautify
homes and public buildings
CHAPTER REVIEW
 P. 18, #1
 P.21, # 1, 2
 P.32 # 1, 2, 4
 P. 36 #1, 2,
 P. 41 # 2, 4
 P. 44 # 2, 3
 P. 47 #1, 5, 7