Renaissance 1450- 1600 AD
Italian City States
Renaissance in Italy 1375-1527
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City states were the political unit of
the time
Depended on diplomacy to stay
“loosely confederated”
Introduction of classical learning
Creation of the university system
Italy’s strategic Mediterranean
placement
Italy (continued)
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Trade with “East”
Fall of Constantinople in 1453
Vernacular use increases- replaces
Latin gradually
Wealth increase in Italy
Wealthy become patrons of the arts
Exploration of New Worlds begin
Foundations laid for mercantilism
Italy (continued)
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Governments begin to centralize in
all other countries EXCEPT for Italy
and Germany
Humanism
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Belief that man can create– he is no
longer a passive participant in the
world around him– He can influence
and make a difference
City States
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Republic Florence- merchant – ruled
by the D’medicis
Duchy of Milan
Republic of Genoa
Kingdom of Naples
Papal States
Republic of Venice– the most liberal
City States
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Rich in trade become the bankers of
Europe– for now
Very competitive
Most ruled by despots-Venice the
exception which is rich merchant
oligarchy
Internal social class conflictFlorence best example 1) old rich
2) new rich 3) small businessman
4) lower class Popolo minuto= little
people 1/3 pop of Florence
VIPs
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Cosimo de Medici- ends revolts by
lower classes
Brings stability- good statesman
Used council to rule- members
picked from guilds
VIPs
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Lorenzo the Magnificent
Ruled 1478-92
Assassination of brother by rival
family Pazzi made him more
cautious
Used huge armies- Codotteri
Conflict to diplomacy
Intro to The Prince by Machiavelli
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Two changes in Renaissance
1. printing destroyed clergy
intellectual monopoly
2. gunpowder destroyed nobility
military monopoly
Renaissance
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Rediscovery of man- man becomes
center of universe
Italian city states are islands of
“republicanism”in a sea of European
monarchialcal loyalty
Florence– “THE” city state; home of
DaVinci, Machiavelli, Lorenzo de
medici
Machiavelli
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diplomat in Florence
Wrote first political science doc in
Europe
Lost job when Medici’s take over
with Pope’s help
Writes the Prince to get job back
Dedicates Prince to Lorenzo de
Medici but uses Cesar Borgia as
“model” for the Prince
Machiavelli continued
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First political science work to NOT
address “the end of the state” (like
Aristotle and Plato)
The Prince says” Power is an end in
itself!!!” and how to retain acquire
and expand power. (or rename
“POWER for DUMMIES!!!”)