European Renaissance, the Reformation & the Scientific Revolution

Part I: The Renaissance

Begins in Italyc. 1350

A Shift in Ideas● Middle Ages was trying for people in W. Europe

○ Constant warfare○ Bubonic Plague

● Sought a revival in spirit and culture to celebrate human life

The Renaissance● “Rebirth”

○ Revival of culture and learning○ Esp. Classical (Greek & Roman) culture

● Started in Italy○ Cities○ Large merchant class

Humanism● Movement that focuses on human potential &

achievement● Focus on enjoying life● Society became more secular

Patrons● People who financed artists

○ Kings, popes, the upper class● Huge amounts of $ spent on creating portraits & other

paintings

The Renaissance Man● Educated men were expected to create art● Many study different fields of interest

○ Universal Man○ Renaissance Man

● Women expected to inspire, not create, art

Artistic Trends● Realistic depiction of the human body● Natural life-like poses

Part II: The Renaissance Spreads to

Northern Europec. 1497

The Elizabethan Age (1558-1603)● Queen Elizabeth of England supported development of

the arts & literature

Christian Humanism● In N. Europe, people altered humanism to include

religion○ Criticized the church’s inability to inspire people to

live a Christian life○ Goal: to reform society through education

Spread of Education● (1440) Johann Gutenberg reformed the printing press

Effects of the Printing Press● More books produced

○ More goods creates lower prices○ Several social classes could afford to buy books○ Hundreds of copies of a single work

● Education spreads● Again, book written in the vernacular made them more

accessible● Est. a more educated society

Types of Books● Mostly religious● Eventually travel guides and manuals

○ Supports ideas of curiosity and learning

Legacy of the RenaissanceChanges in the Arts:

● Revival of Classical styles● Realistic lifelike art● Secular themes● Use of the vernacular● Focus on human achievement &

potential

Changes in Society:

● Printing made info. available & inexpensive

● Rise in literacy● Higher demand for education● New discoveries● Published laws● People began to question

political and religious structures

Part III: The Reformation

1517–1648

Review!What was the primary religion in Northern and Western Europe during the Renaissance?

The Reformation● A movement for religious reform

Causes of the Reformation● Members of the church neglected their duties

○ Too involved in worldly affairs● Monarchs challenged the Pope

○ Viewed as a foreign leader● Sale of indulgences

Indulgences● A pardon● Excused sinners● People were buying their way into Heaven

Martin Luther● Wanted to challenge the church● Wrote the 95 Theses

○ Statements attacking the church● Began the Reformation

Main Ideas of the 95 Theses● Believers could be saved by faith alone

○ Not good works● Church teachings should be based on the Bible● No need for priests to interpret the Bible

Effect of the 95 Theses● Led to the formation of several Christian churches, which

did not accept the Pope’s authority

Response to Luther● Luther’s ideas spread quickly● Pope excommunicated● Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor, declared him an outlaw

and heretic○ Heretic-a person who differs in opinion from established

religious dogma● While in hiding, Luther translated the New Testament into

German● By 1522, Luther and followers had become known as Lutherans

New Sects of Christianity● Lutherans● Protestants● Calvinists● Anglicans

Further Challenge to the Pope’s Authority● King Henry VIII of England needed a male heir● Wife was too old to have any more children● Wanted a divorce

○ Prohibited by the church

King Henry VIII cont’d● Separated from the church● Dubbed himself the head of the church of England

○ Taking the title away from the pope

Legacy of the Reformation● Protestant churches flourished● Religion no longer united Europe● As Church’s power went down, individual monarchs and

states gained power● Way was paved for modern nation-states● Reformation helped set the stage for the modern world

Part IV: The Scientific

Revolution1453-1688

Background InformationThe Renaissance inspired a spirit of curiosity in many fields. Scholars began to question ideas that had been accepted for hundreds of years. During the Reformation, religious leaders challenged accepted ways of thinking about God and salvation. While the Reformation was taking place, another revolution in European thought was also occurring. It challenged how people viewed their place in the universe.

Medieval View of the EarthGeocentric Theory- earth centered view of the universe

A New Way of Thinking● Scientific Revolution- a new way of thinking about the

natural world○ Combination of discoveries and circumstances led to

the revolution○ Age of European exploration pushed scientific

research further

A New View of the World● Heliocentric Theory-sun is at the center of the universe

○ Developed by Copernicus

Conflict With the Church● Galileo Galilei created his own telescope & began to study

the stars○ Findings frightened church leaders○ Afraid it would lead to further questioning○ Church forced Galileo to take back his support of

Copernicus

Other Concepts & Inventions● Scientific method● Gravity● Microscope● Thermometer● Vaccines