Factors that Contributed to the
Beginning of the Renaissance
• Trade and commerce increased
• Cities grew larger and wealthier
• Newly wealthy merchants and bankers
supported the growth of the arts and
learning
• A new view of human beings emerged as
people in the Italian Renaissance began to
emphasize individual ability
BEFORE
and
AFTER
Compare and Contrast artwork…
What was the Renaissance?
The Renaissance was a cultural movement
and a time of renewal (Europe was
recovering from the Dark Ages and the
Black Death/Bubonic Plague)
Renaissance means “rebirth” of classical
knowledge and “birth” of the modern
world (new intellectual and artistic ideas
that developed during the Renaissance
marked the beginning of the modern
world)
Where did the Renaissance begin?
•Italy
•Italian Cities
•Urban Societies
•Major Trading Centers
•Secular Movement
•People lost their faith in the church and began to
put more focus on human beings and material
possessions
When did the Renaissance Take
Place?
Roughly the 14th to the 17th century
April 6, 1341: Francesco Petrarch is Crowned Poet
Laureate Many historians cite this date as the beginning of the
Renaissance.
1429: Cosimo de Medici Takes Over his Father's Business Cosimo
de Medici becomes head of the bank after his father dies, using his
economic power to consolidate political power. Within five years
he runs the city without question.
1600-1620s: William Shakespeare happens William Shakespeare
writes like a million plays and sonnets…give or take a few.
How did the Crusades contribute
to the Renaissance?
Crusades (1095 – 1291) = Religiously
sanctioned military campaigns waged by
Roman Catholics against Muslims who had
occupied the near east (after Muhammad’s
death in 632, the Rashidun Caliphate was
one of the largest empires of the time
period)
Increased demand for Middle Eastern
products
Increased production of goods to trade in
Middle Eastern markets
The Black Death: Bubonic Plague
•
1330s - An outbreak of deadly bubonic plague occurred in China
•
Mainly affects rodents, but fleas can transmit the disease to people
•
Once people are infected, they infect others very rapidly
•
Plague causes fever, painful swelling of the lymph glands, and spots on the
skin that are red at first and then turn black = Black Death
•
Since China was one of the busiest of the world's trading nations, it was
only a matter of time before the outbreak of plague in China spread to
western Asia and Europe
•
In 1347, Italian merchant ships returned from a trip to the Black Sea, one
of the key links in trade with China. When the ships docked in Sicily
(Italy), many of those on board were already dying of plague.
•
Within days the disease spread to the city and the surrounding
countryside
Bubonic Plague Continued
• After five years 25 million people were dead--one-third
of Europe's population.
• Smaller outbreaks continued, not just for years, but for
centuries. The survivors lived in constant fear of the
plague's return, and the disease did not disappear until
the 1600s.
• People began to look for who to blame. (Lepers or
Jews)
• The disease took its toll on the church as well. Many
Christians had prayed devoutly for deliverance from
the plague. Why hadn't those prayers been answered?
A new period of political turmoil and philosophical
questioning lay ahead.
Political Ideas of the Renaissance
Niccolò Machiavelli
(1469-1527)
An Italian Philosopher and Writer based in Florence
during the Renaissance
The Prince
(Published in 1532)
Machiavelli believed:
“One can make this generalization about
men: they are ungrateful, fickle, liars,
and deceivers, they shun danger and are
greedy for profit”
Machiavelli observed city-state rulers of
his day and produced guidelines for how
to gain and maintain power.
Absolute Rule
He felt that a ruler should be willing to
do anything to maintain control without
worrying about conscience.
• Better for a ruler to be feared than to be loved
• Ruler should be quick and decisive in decision making
• Ruler keeps power by any means necessary
• The end justifies the means
• Be good when possible, and evil when necessary
Today, the term “Machiavellian”
refers to the use of deceit in
politics
Italian City-States
Because Italy failed to become united during the Dark
Ages, many independent city-states emerged in Italy.
Each city-state was controlled by a powerful family and
dominated by a wealthy merchant class. Their interest
in art and emphasis on personal achievement helped to
shape the Italian Renaissance.
Example: The Medici family of Florence ranked among
the richest merchants and bankers in Europe; they
ruled Florence for over 70 years.
Major Italian
City-States
Milan
One of the richest cities, it controls
trade through the Alps.
Venice
Located on the Adriatic Sea, it is a
major trade route between Asia &
Europe.
Florence
Controlled by the Medici Family, who
became great patrons of the arts.
Milan
Venice
Genoa
Florence
Genoa
Had Access to Trade Routes
Rome
Headquarters of the Catholic
Church
All of these cities:
• Had access to trade routes connecting
Europe with Middle Eastern markets
• Served as trading centers for the
distribution of goods to northern Europe
Rome
Centralized Power
One governing authority (ex. U.S. Federal
Government; principals) controls power
over several smaller entities (ex. State
governments; teachers)
28.3 The Growth of Trade and Commerce
The Renaissance produced new ideas that
were reflected in the arts, philosophy, and
literature.
Patrons, wealthy from newly expanded
trade, sponsored works which glorified
city-states in northern Italy. Education
became increasingly secular.
Types of Renaissance Art
Classical art showed the importance of people
and leaders, as well as gods and goddesses
Medieval art and literature focused on the
Church and salvation
Renaissance art and literature focused on the
importance of people and nature, along with
religion