The Renaissance
1350 - 1600
Major Theme: After the Later
Middle Ages, Europe
experienced a “rebirth” of
commerce, interest in classical
cultures, and confidence in
human potential.
The Renaissance
Marked the beginning of modern
European History
 Time Line:
1. Began in Italy, early 1300s
2. Spread to Northern Europe, c. 1450
3. Lasted in England from 16th-17th
centuries

The Renaissance
Characteristics:
1. Distinctly different from Middle
Ages (19th c. Swiss historian Jacob
Burckhardt)
2. Benefits applied almost exclusively
to upper class – little impact on
peasants and working class

Italian
City-States
Five major players:
1. Florence
2. Milan
3. Rome
4. Venice
5. Naples
Rise of the City-States

Northern Italian city-states led the way –
Genoa, Venice, Milan
–
–
–

Oligarchies and signori in control by 1300 in
most of Italy
Trade and banking
Urbanization of Italy
Politics of the City-States
–
Competition, not unity



–
“Balance of power”
Disunity led to disaster
Diplomatic legacy of the city-states
Condottieri – mercenary generals with private
armies hired by city-states
Republic of Florence


Center of the Renaissance in 14th15th
Dominated by Medici family
Cosimo de Medici
(1389-1464) –
ruler of Florence
Lorenzo de Medici (14491492) – “The Magnificent”,
patron of arts
Duchy of Milan
 Ruled by Sforza family after
1450
 Main adversary of Venice and
Florence
Ludovico Sforza (“il Moro”)
– (1452-1508) – most
famous ruler, patron of da
Vinci
Rome, the Papal States
Popes served
as religious
and political
leaders
 Controlled
much of central
Italy
 Powerful
Italian families
competed for
the Papal office

Alexander VI –
(1492-1503) –
Borgia family,
corrupt &
controversial
Julius II –
(1503-1513)
– “the
Warrior
Pope”, great
patron of the
arts
Republic of Venice
Longest-lasting
of the citystates – until
early 1800s
 International
trading power
with strong
navy

Kingdom of Naples
Only city-state with “King”
 Controlled by French – 1266-1435
 Ruled by
Spanish
after 1435
 Secondlargest city
in Europe
in 1500s

Decline of the City-States
1494 – French invasions began –
support Milan vs. Florence and Naples
 1494-1559 – Hapsburg-Valois Wars for
control of Italy
 Italy now center of ‘power struggle’
between Spain & the Holy Roman
Empire (Hapsburgs) and France (Valois)

Decline of the City-States
1494 – Medicis ousted in
Florence
 1494-1498 – Girolamo
Savonarola – Catholic
priest – ruled Florence as
a theocracy
 1497 – “Bonfire of the
Vanities”
 Savonarola
excommunicated and
burned at stake, Medicis
eventually returned to
power

End of the Italian Renaissance
1527 – Sack of
Rome by soldiers
of Charles V of HRE
 Pope Clement VII
imprisoned by
Charles V
 Destruction of
Rome signaled end
of Italian
Renaissance
