Renaissance

Chapter 17

SSWH9a,b,c,g

Trade & Commerce Change Town Life

Towns were ctrs for trade & shipping Luxury goods (silk, spices, porcelain) could

be purchased Guilds (unions) contribute $ to build churches

Town Life During the Middle Ages

Towns small-society based on agriculture/most ppl live in country

Lords/Nobles had most of power Owned land Provided protection to towns via knights

Status determined by birth

Society

Power

Status

Town Life During the Renaissance Society

Power

Status

Towns grew - based on commerce Ppl move to cities

Merchants had most of power Limited power of lords Influenced politics Gained ctrl by organizing banks

Status determined by wealth & ability

The Growth of Italian City-StatesHow did Florence become the most influential city-state?

Purchased luxury goods from east & resold at huge profit Strong ties w/ Muslim merchants

Sold insurance to sea traders to protect investments

Created banks that gave loans & exchanged currencies

What was the Renaissance & why did it begin in Italy? Renaissance = French for “rebirth” refers to

revival of arts/learning Renaissance flourished in Italy WHY??

Wealthy class invested in the arts

Why People Became Interested in Ancient Culture Crusades made Europeans eager to learn

about world Scholars thought ancient Greek & Roman

writings would solve problems

A Fascination with Classical Cultures

Niccolo Machiavelli – “The Prince” Leaders should do whatever is needed to achieve

goals

A Fascination with Classical Cultures Michelangelo – painter, sculptor, architect

Sistine Chapel, La Pieta Leonardo Da Vinci – painter, sculptor,

inventor, engineer “Renaissance Man” Mona Lisa, Last Supper

Michelangelo--Sistine Chapel

Michelangelo & La Pieta

Leonardo da VinciThe Last Supper

Leonardo da VinciMona Lisa

A Belief in Human Potential

Humanism-each person should develop talents thru politics, sports & arts

Emphasized individual worth & achievement Study classics = create better world

A New Type of Scholar Called a Humanist 1456 Johannes Gutenburg invents movable

type Books become avx

Writers Dante: wrote in vernacular Petrarch: “Father of Humanism” Erasmus: All ppl should study Bible

Gutenburg & Printing Press