The Renaissance

World History I

Background on the Renaissance• The Renaissance lasted from approx. 1400-1700 AD.– After taking over China, the Mongols reopened the Silk

Road.• Trade was re-established between China and Europe.• Ideas from China were spread to Europe.

Background on the Renaissance• The Renaissance represented a wake up call for the people

of Europe.• They wanted to return Europe to its former glory.• ROME = GOOD MIDDLE AGES = BAD

• Marco Polo, an Italian, traveled to China in the 1200s.

•He wrote stories about what he saw.• Europeans realized there were

amazing things in the world.• They were inspired to create new

things.

The Italian Renaissance• Renaissance – rebirth– The people of Italy felt they were seeing a rebirth of the

Greek and Roman worlds.• Characteristics of the Renaissance

1. Urban society.• As the middle ages progressed, city-states became the center of

Italian life.• A secular, or worldly viewpoint emerged.

2. Age of recovery from disasters of the 14th century.• This led to an increase in interest in classical culture.

3. A new view of human beings emerged.• There was a high regard for human worth.

The Italian States• Italy failed to develop a strong

monarchial state during the Middle Ages.– Milan was a major trading city in

northern Italy.• It was conquered Francesco Sforza and

his army of mercenaries.– Mercenary – soldiers who sell their

services to the highest bidder.

– Venice was a wealthy trading city in northern Italy.• Venice served as a link between Asia and

western Europe.

Francesco Sforza

The Italian States, cont.– Florence was the cultural center of Italy.• Under the leadership of the Medici family, Florence was

victorious in a series of small wars, establishing a successful state.• The Medici family were wealthy bankers who ruled Florence.• They paid many of the Renaissance artists.

• The Italian Wars– Italy came under attack by France in 1494.• Spain helped Italy and Italy became a battleground.• Spanish soldiers and mercenaries, unhappy about not being

paid sacked and looted Rome.– Spain was the dominant force in Italy.

Machiavelli • The Italians love for political power was illustrated

by Niccolo Machiavelli.– Machiavelli wrote The Prince, one of the most influential

political works in the western world.• Theme: How to get and keep political power.• According to The Prince a prince:1. Must understand human nature2. Should not be restricted by moral principles3. Be willing to let his “conscience sleep”

Renaissance Society• Renaissance society was divided up into three

estates.– Estate – social class– The Nobility• Only 2-3% of the population• Nobles dominated society (held political positions)Characteristics of a noble:

– Born, not made– Performed military and physical exercises– Classical Education– Standard of conduct

• The aim of a noble – To serve his prince in an effective and honest way.

Renaissance Society, cont.• Peasants and Townspeople– 85-90% of the Renaissance population– There was a social order among the peasants &

townspeople.• Patricians

– Wealthy, Dominated their towns• Burghers

– Shopkeepers, artisans, guildmasters• Workers

– Earned pitiful wages doing menial jobs– Made up 30-40% of urban population

• Marriages were arranged by parents.– Dowry- the sum of money given by the wife’s family to the husband