Influences on the Italian Renaissance Marco Polo The Black Death The Hundred Years’ War The Growth of Italian City-States Humanism
The Black Plague What was the Bubonic plague Bubonic plague –From 1346 – 1352 the disease killed 1/3 of Europe –Pneumonic –Bubonic –Septicemic
How did the Black Death spread throughout Europe Originated in Mongolia and spread to Black Sea along Silk Road Bacteria carried by fleas lived on black rats Italian merchant ships brought rats to Europe along with infected trade goods that were transported to different areas. First appeared in Sicily and eventually spread
How did the Black Death change life in Europe? Killed one half of the population Forced farmers to diversify their crops Peasants revolted and demanded more freedom Working class moved to cities to earn better wages Reduced the power of feudal lords
Why couldn’t people stop the spread of the Black Death? People were ignorant about its cause; they blamed the stars, God’s anger, and the Jews They tried ineffective cures such as pomanders, flagellation, and repentance of sins flagellation
The Hundred Years’ War
How did the war begin? French king Charles IV died in 1328 with no male heir Two men attempted to claim the vacant throne –Edward III of England, son- in-law of Charles IV –Philip of Valois, nephew of Charles English armies attacked France
How did the nature of warfare change? Longbows eliminated advantages of armor Cannons could be used to blast holes in castles Monarchs used armies recruited from common people
Who was Joan of Arc and how did she change the course of the war? Young French peasant woman who was inspired by God to save France Convinced Charles VII to let her lead an army against the English in 1429 Helped push the armies out of central France Captured, accused of heresy, and burned at the stake in 1431; sainted in 1922sainted in 1922
How did the war contribute to the end of feudalism in France? People became more patriotic, more devoted to the monarch than their feudal lord Monarchs built huge armies with the taxes they collected, which reduced the power of nobles
What was the 100 years war? Why should we know about it? How did it contribute to the renaissance?
The Growth of Italian City-States
How did Florence become the most influential city-state? Maintained thriving industry in wool and silk trade Purchased luxury items from the East and sold them for a large profit Sold insurance to sea traders to protect their overseas investments
How did Florence become the most influential city-state? Created numerous banks that made loans or exchanged currencies Medici family promoted trade, banking, the arts, scholarship, and civic pride
Why were Italian city-states rich and powerful? Had strong ties with Byzantine and Muslim merchants European monarchs and nobles sought loans from merchants
Why were Italian city-states rich and powerful? Each city-state specialized in one commercial activity –Milan: metal good and armor –Florence: banking and textiles –Venice: Asian goods
Milan: Metal goods and armor
Florence: banking and textiles
Mr. Botkin’s senior yearbook photo.
Venice: Asian goods
What was the Renaissance and why did it begin in Italy? Renaissance is a French word meaning “rebirth;” refers to revival in arts and learning Period when scholars became interested in ancient Greek and Roman culture
What was the Renaissance and why did it begin in Italy? Italian city-states displayed their wealth by giving financial support to artists who created works with classical themes
The Spirit of the Renaissance
Why People Became Interested in Ancient Culture Knowledge of ancient Greece and Rome was rediscovered by scholars The Crusades made Europeans eager to learn about the world around them Scholars thought ancient Greek and Roman writings would help solve problems
A Fascination with Classical Cultures Artists used ancients art as models Donatello created statues that copied the Roman ideal of the human body Brunelleschi designed buildings after studying ruins in Rome Revolutionary innovations were made
A Belief in Human Potential: Humanists Believed each person could achieve great things Claimed that people educated in the classics could create a better world Emphasized human achievement on earth, rather than the afterlife
A New Type of Scholar Called a Humanist Humanists devoted themselves to studying ancient writings They tried to learn about many subjects such as Latin, Greek, history, and mathematics Petrarch, a Florentine, was the first great humanist
A New Way of Life Medieval People acted like children; there was very little personal upkeep or manner expectations Women were excluded from many social “gatherings” Birth was the defining point for social standing and status Education and personal capability didn’t exist within the social developments of medieval society Humanism Humanists believe one should uphold personal manners and good-behavior Many humanists published guides and manuals for being a successful courtier Believe that education and universal capability should contribute to social success
Renaissance Humanism Curriculum based on Liberal studies: grammar, poetry, rhetoric, history, politics, and moral philosophy Belief that study of the classics is path to virtuous and balanced lifestyle and personality Importance in human, not divine, matters
Renaissance Humanism Information gathered from source, not traditional Devoted majority of life to the discovery and practice of the classics Anti-”scholasticism”, which was the educational curriculum of the medieval times.