WHAT WAS THE RENAISSANCE?

The Renaissance is the name given to a new way of life that appeared in Europe. It marked the end of the Middle Ages. It lasted from the 14th -16th centuries and changed people’ attitudes towards themselves and the world around them. It was a period when people re-discovered learning and looked back to the classical civilizations of Rome and Greece. It was an exciting time of new inventions and amazing discoveries. It was also a time of beautiful art works and magnificent buildings. One major change was the development of the printing press in Germany by Johannes Gutenberg around 1436. Previously books were handwritten and expensive. The development of printing made them quicker to produce and cheaper. The new Renaissance ideas could spread quickly throughout Europe.

The Renaissance began in Italy. Whilst most people in Europe still worked on the land, Italy was different. It was made up of several independent states. They were prosperous and a centre for international trade. They employed rich bankers, merchants and lawyers who could afford to build fine houses, buy books and employ musicians and artists. The rival city states competed with each other to be the richest and most successful at everything they did. Many new scholars arrived in Italy after the Fall of Constantinople in 1453. They brought with them ancient manuscripts from Greece and Roman times.

Old beliefs – ‘The Age of Faith’

In Medieval times man was taught that he was a sinner and must accept the church and pray. The Middle Ages are often called “The Age of Faith” because most ordinary men and women believed completely that God controlled

THE WHAT?

THE RENAISSANCE – THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS:

RE = once more againNAISSANCE = birth (from the French naitre to be born)

The Renaissance was a rebirth or revival of an interest in learning based on classical models from ancient Greece and Rome.

everything and the Church was always right. Deaths and poor harvests were a punishment from God for their sins. Church theories of the universe were based on the writings of the ancient philosopher Ptolemy. The church taught that God created the world and so the earth was at the centre of the universe and other planets and the sun revolved around it.How was Renaissance belief different?

During the Renaissance people began to think and question more. Renaissance man took the idea that “man was made in God’s image” from the bible and said this meant that man must be special and so must use all his talents. They believed that human life was valuable and very interesting.

They admired people with wide-ranging talents who they called “universal men” Perhaps the most famous example of this type of man is Leonardo da Vinci. He was not only a famous painter but also studied engineering, anatomy, architecture, physics and meteorology. His sketches and inventions were way ahead of his time.

The Renaissance touched many aspects of life. It was: The desire to know everything – to enquire into new ideas and criticise them. A belief that humans had great intellect. A new interest in the human anatomy – stimulated great works of art. New geographical discoveries by explorers of the new world. New scientific discoveries and inventions.

Obj: To be able to explain what the Renaissance was. To suggest reasons why it happened.

1. Copy the definition of the word Renaissance from the box at the top of your information sheet. (You can put it in a different color to make it stand out if you wish.)

2. When did the Renaissance take place?3. Which two classical civilizations did the Italians look to for their

inspiration?4. What new development made it possible for new Renaissance

ideas to spread quickly throughout Europe?5. What major event led to new scholars arriving in Italy with

previously unknown classical manuscripts?GLUE IN YOUR MAP OF ITALY

6. Why did the Renaissance start in Italy?7. Why are the Middle Ages often know as “The Age of Faith”?8. Draw Ptolemy’s diagram to show the Church’s teaching about

the universe?9. How was Renaissance belief different?10. Complete the spider diagram to show:

LO: To be able to explain what the Renaissance was. To suggest reasons why it happened.

1. Copy the definition of the word Renaissance from the box at the top of your information sheet. (You can put it in a different colour to make it stand out if you wish.)

ASPECTS OF THE RENAISSANCE

The Renaissance lasted from the _______ to the ______ century. It was a period when people looked back to the classical civilizations of __________________________. The development of the _____________ in Germany by Johannes Gutenberg around 1436 meant new Renaissance ideas could ___________________

GLUE IN YOUR MAP OF ITALY

Italy was made up of several _____________________. They were ____________ and a centre for __________. They employed rich who could afford to build ________, buy _____and employ musicians and _______. The rival city states _______ with each other to be the best. Many new scholars arrived in Italy after the _______________ They brought with them _____________________________________from Greece and Roman times.

The Middle Ages are often called “The Age of Faith” because most ordinary men and women believed ____________________________________________ .During the Renaissance people began to ______ and question more. They said that “man was made in ___________” so man must be ________ and so must use all his talents.