1. Introduction to The Renaissance
Text Chapter 12 (pages )

2. The Italian Renaissance
Renaissance means rebirth
Many Italians between 1350 and 1550 believed they had witnessed a rebirth of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds
Historians later called this the Renaissance or Italian Renaissance- a period of European history that began in Italy and spread to the rest of Europe

4. Characteristics of the Renaissance
Urban society
An age of recovery from the disasters of the 14th century (plague, political instability, and a decline of church power)
Emphasis on Individual ability
The well rounded, universal person was capable of achievements in many areas of life. For example, painting, sculpting, architecture, mathematics, inventor, etc…

5. The Italian States
Italy was unable to develop a monarchy during the Middle Ages.
Three city states remained independent and played a critical role in Italian politics
Milan
Venice
Florence

6. Milan Located in Northern Italy
One of the richest city states in Italy
In the 14th century, members of the Visconti family established themselves as the dukes of Milan.
Sforza the new duke in 1447 was the leader of a band of mercenaries – soldiers who sold their services to the highest bidder

7. Venice A link between Asia and Western Europe
Drew traders from all over the world
A republic with an elected leader called a doge
Venice’s trade empire was tremendously profitable and made Venice an international power.

9. Florence Dominated the region of Tuscany
Small but wealthy group of merchants established control of the government
The Medici family controlled the politics of the city.
Florence was a cultural center of Italy

10. MACHIAVELLI

11. Machiavelli and the New Statecraft
Niccolo Machiavelli wrote The Prince
It is one of the most influential works on political power in the Western world.
Central thesis is how to acquire and keep political power.
According to Machiavelli, political activity should not be limited by moral principles
A prince must act on behalf of the state, even if that meant abandoning his conscience
Among the first to abandon morality as the basis for politics

12. Renaissance Society Only 2-3% of the population Born not made
The Nobility
Peasants & Townspeople
Only 2-3% of the population
Born not made
Classical education & enrich his life with the arts
Live gracefully- certain standards of conduct
Peasants made up 85 – 90% of the population
By 1500, more and more peasants became legally free
Townspeople made up the rest of the third estate
Mostly merchants & artisans

13. Urban Renaissance Society
Patricians- wealthy from trade, industry, and banking
Burghers- the shopkeepers, artisans, and guild masters and guild members
Workers- earned pitiful wages and made up % of the urban population
Late 1300’s and early 1400’s poverty increased dramatically.

14. Family and Marriage Family bond was a source of great security
To maintain the family, parents carefully arranged marriages, often to strengthen business or family ties
Details worked out way in advance, sometimes when children were only 2 or 3 years old
Father- center of the Italian family; Mother- supervised household- no share in father’s wealth
Father’s authority absolute until his death or he formally freed his children in court. Age of adulthood ranged from early teens to late twenties.