World History I

World History ILecture 9.7The foundations of the Italian RenaissanceMake sure that you are viewing this in Slide Show format. Click on Slide Show and push from beginning. Move through the presentation by pushing on the up and down arrows on your keyboardClick meRenaissance men?

The Italian Renaissance (rebirth) occurred between 1374 to 1605 CE/AD.

The renaissance was a cultural, scholarly and socio-political movement that stressed the rediscovery and application of texts and thought from classical antiquity.

The underpinnings of the Renaissance can be traced to western religious scholars and the flight of eastern scholars from Constantinople after the Ottoman conquest.Defining the RenaissanceClick meThis is all cool Italian Renaissance stuff (more to come)

3Three Italian city-states (Florence, Venice, and Genoa) are focal points.

These cities have the following attributesaccess to multiple land and sea trade routesaccumulation of wealth amongst ruling familiesDirect connection between Europe and the Middle East via sea tradeDistribution points for goods into northern Europe

These cities are independent city-states and act as republics (mini-countries)

Wealthy merchants in each city are active civic and cultural leaders

Renaissance ground zeroClick here

Crusaders generally made multiple stops on the Italian Peninsula on their way to the holy land

Venice becomes a focal point for increased trade for new eastern products, as well as the use of credit/banking, and the stimulated production of goods to trade with the East

Renaissance Economy - Crusades Click hereYes that Venice!

New banking practices include bankers charging interest and letters of credit to expand the money supply

Bankers use new accounting and bookkeeping practices (using Arabic numerals), and the church regulates against using/charging interest.

All of this encourages secularism (the separation of government and economic institutions from religious institutions) in northern Italy

Renaissance Economy - BankingClick here

The Renaissance makes certain families in Italy wealthy and powerful.

One such family is the Medici family of Florence (1434 to 1737 CE/AD) who supported and sponsored the works of art. Literature and music

Much of Renaissance culture and achievement will occur because of the economic and political support of wealthy patronsRenaissance Economy the rise of the wealthy patronsClick hereNiccolo Machiavelli is going to teach his wealthy Medici patrons how to act like modern rulers