The Renaissance

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The Renaissance

• 1350 - 1550

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Topics of Discussion

• Renaissance
• Secular ideas/Humanism
• City-states
• The Medici family
• Artists

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What was the Renaissance?

• Renaissance French for rebirth Rebirth of
  interest in art and learning
• Renewed interest in ancient Greece and Rome
• Why? Horrible years of the Black Death, people
  saw ancient Rome and Greece as better times

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Why Italy?

• Why did the Renaissance start in Italy?
• Center of the Roman Empire (rebirth of Roman
  ideas/art), and Roman ruins and art located here
• Italian cities very wealthy, able to pay artists
• Italy made up of city-states, competition among
  these motivated creation of art

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Why did Florence become the most influential?

• Maintained large trade economy
• Provided insurance to sea travelers
• Banks grew here
• Medici family rose to power here (more on this
  later)

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Secular ideas/Humanism

• Society still very religious, but people began to
  celebrate human achievement
• Secular Interest in the world, things of earth,
  over religion and heaven
• Humanism System of thought that focuses on human
  values, abilities, and worth, over the soul and
  religion a persons place in the world

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Rise of City-States

• During Middle Ages, no ruler able to unite Italy
  into one kingdom
• Roman Catholic Church fought to prevent central
  leader, due to fears of losing power
• Each city-state equal to others each with own
  army/ships
• Very wealthy loaned money to kings of Europe, so
  kings left Italian city-states alone

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Rise of the Renaissance

• Crusaders came into contact with Asia and Africa.
  They returned with luxury items (silk, spices,
  ivory)
• Italy, due to central location and past glory,
  center of trade in Europe. Italian city-states
  grow wealthy and powerful
• Demand for luxury items creates need for coined
  money.

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Rise of the Renaissance

• Banks develop, bankers exchange coins from one
  region to another. Called banchi, Italian for
  money changers.
• Nobles, spent a lot of money on wars, banks
  provided loans. As nobles got into debt, city
  merchants (bankers) became rich and powerful
• Money over church began to shape politics.
  Status related to wealth, not birthright

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Rise of the Renaissance

• The Medici family became the most important,
  influential, and wealthy family of Florence,
  Italy.
• Florence was one of the most influential cities
  of the Renaissance.
• Medici family encouraged the development of the
  arts in Florence.
• Rise of Patronage The act of providing money and
  support to artists, by wealthy merchants

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The House of Medici

• Giovanni de Medici (1360-1429) Rose from poverty
  to become wealthy from banking and commerce. The
  first great Medici.
• Cosimo de Medici (1389-1464) Son of Giovanni,
  became first Medici to win wide fame. Gave large
  amounts of money to promote the arts.
• Lorenzo de Medici (1449-1492) Grandson of
  Cosimo. Made Florence the most powerful and
  beautiful city in Italy. Supported artists like
  Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.

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The Reformation

• The Catholic Church had become very corrupt. The
  church began selling church positions and holy
  relics.

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The Reformation

• The greatest profit came from indulgences.
  These were certificates that, when bought,
  forgave a persons (or his/her relatives) sins.
  Many Christians began to question this practice.

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The Reformation

• Martin Luther was a devout Catholic monk who
  questioned the Catholic Church. In 1517, he
  wrote a document called the Ninety-Five Theses,
  and posted these on the door of the church in
  Wittenberg, Germany.

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The Reformation

• Luther did not mean to start a protest, he just
  wanted change. The church would not listen, and
  he was excommunicated. Many followed Luther and
  quit the Catholic Church. These protestors
  became known as Protestants.

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Reformation

• Protestant ideas spread throughout Europe, the
  movement became known as the Reformation (of the
  church). Gutenbergs printing press helped the
  spread of Protestant ideas. Luthers followers
  came to be known as Lutherans, but many different
  groups arose.

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Reformation

• In 1540, the Catholic Church saw a need for
  change and met at the Council of Trent. The
  Counter, or Catholic, Reformation began. The
  sale of indulgences and church positions was
  outlawed.

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Comparing Christian Religions

• Anglicanism
• Recognized monarch of England as spiritual
  leader/authority

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Comparing Christian Religions

• Calvinism
• Thought God selected a special group of believers
  for salvation

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Comparing Christian Religions

• Catholicism
• Recognized pope as spiritual leader/authority

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Comparing Christian Religions

• Anabaptism
• Believed true Christians should form separate
  communities

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Comparing Christian Religions

• Lutheranism
• Emphasized more intimate involvement of believers
  in recitation or prayers and hymns

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Comparing Christian Religions

• Similarities
• All are Christian (belief in Jesus Christ as son
  of God)
• Practice sacraments of baptism and communion
• Bible as holy text
• All originate from Roman Catholic Church