The Renaissance

An Introduction

The Renaissance

Means “Rebirth”

Rebirth of what? Culture Art Science Ideas & Learning

Renaissance begins in the late1300’s, probably Florence, Italy

Question:

What brought about the Renaissance?

The Black Death and the Crusades

The Black Death (Plague) 1346 A.D.

Europe experiences a massive decline in population Labor is hard to find (scarce) Towns and many serfs freed from feudal obligations Church’s influence declines Disrupts pattern of trade.

Economic Effects of the Crusades

Increased demand for Middle Eastern products Stimulated production of goods to trade in Middle Eastern

markets Encouraged the use of credit (borrowing money) and banking.

Important Economic Concepts

Church rule against usury and the bank’s practice of charging interest helped to secularize northern Italy.

Letters of credit served to expand the supply of money and speed-up trade.

New accounting and bookkeeping practices (use of Arabic numerals) were introduced. Roman numeral system (5 biquinary system) used prior to this.

Impact of Crusades and Black Death

Feudalism no longer works Growth of trading towns and cities Cities are free from feudal obligations

Manorialism no longer works Not enough workers Demand for Middle Eastern Goods causes increase in trade

Florence, Venice, & Genoa (Italy)

Were initially independent city-states governed as republics.

Had access to trade routes connecting Europe with Middle Eastern Markets.

Served as trading centers for the distribution of goods to northern Europe

Humanism The study of humans and humanity Celebrated the individual Stimulated the study of Greek and Roman literature and

culture Was supported by wealthy patrons (people who

supported artists and writers)

Humanism (cont.) During Renaissance, people turn away from religion.

Celebrates the here and now, don’t wait for the afterlife.

People still believe in God. Religion just isn’t everything.