1. -the transition from medieval times to the early modern world
The Renaissance
-the transition from medieval times to the early modern world

2. What was the Renaissance?
A time of creativity and great changes in many areas, including:
Political change
Social change
Economic change
Cultural change

3. The Renaissance was a time of renewal
Renaissance means rebirth
Europe was recovering from the Dark ages and the plague
People lost their faith in the church and began putting more focus and emphasis on human beings.

4. Why Italy? Renaissance thinkers had an interest in ancient Rome
Italy’s location supported trade
Trade made Italian merchants wealthy
These wealthy merchants became patrons of their cities

5. Major Italian Cities Milan: one of the richest cities in Europe,
it controls trade through the Alps.
Venice: Sitting on the Adriatic Sea, it
Attracts trade from all over the world.
Florence: controlled by the deMedici family,
Who became great patrons of the arts.
Genoa: had access to trade routes
Milan
Venice
Genoa
Florence

6. All of these cities:
1. Had access to trade routes connecting Europe with Middle Eastern markets
2. Served as trading centers for the distribution of goods to northern Europe

7. Italian Trade Routes

8. Italian city-states
Each city-state was controlled be a powerful family
Each city state was dominated by a wealthy and powerful merchant class
Wealthy merchants were political and economic leaders
Wealthy merchants emphasized the importance of art and personal achievement

9. Medici family Ruled Florence
Among the richest merchants and bankers in Europe
Cosimo deMedici- gained control of Florence in 1434

10. Lorenzo the Magnificent
Cosimo’s grandson
Clever politician
Kept Florence flourishing
Patron of the arts
Invited poets and artists to the Medici palace

11. Florence Medici family wealth transformed Florence
Symbolized the energy and brilliance of the Renaissance
Produced a number of poets, artists, architects, scholars, and scientists