Warm-up #2

• What is humanism? How was this idea different from Medieval times.

• What ancient trade route did Marco Polo and his family travel on?

Warm-up #2 Honors

• How do you think your life might be different if a single family controlled your community?

• What ancient trade route did Marco Polo and his family travel on?

The Renaissance started in Florence, Italy and spread north.

Essential Question: Why did the Renaissance begin in Italy?

Influence of Trade• Italy’s location on the sea meant it had easy access

to ports, trade, and global merchants. – It had the benefit of roads and architecture left over

from the Roman Empire.– It sat on some major trade routes.

• Demand decreased so did prices and people could buy more including goods from China, India, and other lands.

The Silk RoadThe Silk Road• Used from AD 1 – 200, closed after Han dynasty.• When the Mongols took over China they reopened

the Silk Road.• This allowed Europe to trade with China.• Marco Polo traveled this road (maybe…) and

brought back many items and stories.• These gave Europeans new ideas about the world• Inspired them to invent and create new things.

Separate States and Rival Rulers• Italy was made up of independent states with

different governments. • Trading cities acted as centers for trade and

manufacturing. –Milan: silk & weapons -- Florence: textiles –Venice: Port, glass. -- Genoa: port

• Most big cities had a signoria, one wealthy merchant family controlled the government.

• Signori (ruling families) from different cities competed over wealth, trade, and fame.

Separate States and Rival Rulers• Florence – Center of Italian art, literature, and

culture.– 1300s the population was 120,000

–Wealth from trade, wool, and banking (kept money for merchants throughout Europe). Families made money by charging interest (fee for borrowing money).

The Medici Family The Medici Family • Florence’s richest family (bankers) circa 1400s. – 1435 Cosimo de’ Medici ruled the city. – Patron of the arts. He commissioned or paid many

artists including: Donatello, Botticello, da Vinci, Michelangelo, and more...

– Built libraries to improve education. • Closely tied to the Church God’s bank• Other family members become church officials, popes,

queens, dukes and political leaders.

Would the Renaissance have happened without the Medici Family?

How did the Medici family come to power? How do you think they would use these connections later?

Lorenzo de Medici

• Became leader of Florence at the age of 20 after his father died.

• Rival families saw him as weak and took the opportunity to take power.

• They attempted to kill him and his brother but failed to kill Lorenzo.

Homework

• Finish Notes – Questions, upper level question, & summary

• Chapter 11.1 Review – #s 1a, 2b, 3a, 3b and 4