The Renaissance Rebirth of Civilization

Chief Characteristics and Changes A. New importance to individual expression, self-consciousness& worldly experience 1. (ideal “Renaissance Man”) B. Scholars, poets, craftsmen & artists were supported by patrons 1. Medici, Sforza, the Church C. Scholasticism becomes humanism D. Feudalism becomes nation-state E. Science and Discoveries leads to the World beyond Europe

A. Italy formed of City States 1. Like small countries 2. Dominated by powerful families (princes or signori) 3. Led by Venice, Florence, Milan, Papal States and Naples 4. Leaders in trade 5. Economy flourishes 6. Gateway to discoveries Italy and Renaissance

Italy and Renaissance(con’t) B. Class divisions in city states 1. Old rich and new rich 2. Middle class merchants 3. Popolo minuto (poor) C. Possible to make career as a public servant D. administratiors make will of “prince” the reality

Literature, Philosophy, and Scholarship A. Humanism 1. Reaction to scholasticism 2. Return to classics-original source 3. Back to classic norms and values 4. Study humanities be wise and virtuous a. Grammar, history, poetry, rhetoric

Humanism (con’t) 5. Challenge to Church interpretations 6. Church fears self-reliance leads away from God(also weakens their power) 7. Travels South to North 8. Becomes snobbish with time

Humanists (Italy) 1. Petrarch (Father)-Letters to Ancient Dead a. Christian & Clasical coexist uneasily 2. Dante-Divine Comedy 3. Boccaccio-Decameron a. tales of sexual & economic misconduct 4. Their work leads to Florentine Platonic Academy

Humanists (con’t) 5. Castiglione-book of the Courtier a. how to behave in a variety of situations 6. Pico della Mirandola-Oration on the Dignity of Man a. Free to be as you choose 7. Christina de Pisan-Book of Three Virtues a. how to be an early feminist 8. Lorenzo Valla-Donation of Constantine a. blow to the Church

Northern Humanists 1. Erasmus (most famous) a.Christian Humanism-reconciles classical values, civic virtue & old-school Christian beliefs b. scholastic debates over doctrine interfere with Christian practice, contrasts Christ with clerical practices of time c. spreads ideas with printing press d. Colloquies, In Praise of Folly e. promotes vernacular translations of original texts

Northern Humanists (con’t) 2. Germans & French provide support for Luther & Calvin 3. Thomas More-Utopia a. perfect society (reason, tolerance & shared property) 4. More and Erasmus are buddies

Italian Politics and the rise of Nation States A. Italian Politics during the Renaissance 1. Ciompi revolt (1378)- Italian Jacquerie 2. Despotism, Podestas & mercenary armies keep peace & economies functioning

Italian Politics and the rise of Nation States (con’t) B. Corrupt Popes & French Visitors 1. Continuing and shifting alliances between French, HRE, Papal States, League of Venice, Milan and others. 2. Julius II (soldier pope) follows Alexander (Borgia) and unifies Papal States 2. France invades twice a. Francis I wins Concordat of Bologna in 1515 (French control own church)

Machiavelli ( ) A. Believed Italian political unity is a goal worth any means B. Worked in Florence C. Fan of Borgias, hoped a Medici would unite Italy D. Wrote the Prince considered the first secular book on political science 1. Admired the ability to act decisively and &heroically 2. Critical of inner feuding, only strongman can solve 3. “End justifies the means”

Holy Roman Empire A. Over 300 principalities B. 7 (later 9) largest vote for the emperor C. Hapsburg is largest ruling family (becomes almost the hereditary ruler of the HRE D. Maximillian I Philip I (marries the daughter of Ferdinand) Charles V rules both Spanish and Austrian sides of the empire E. Hapsburg Valois Wars F. Henry VIII (Eng.) backs Hapsburgs G. France forced to give up claims to Italy H. Charles V abdicates 1. Spanish side to son, Austria and HRE to bro Ferdinand

Formation of Nation States A. New alliance between king and town B. Power to tax (lower classes), enforce laws and make wars lies w/ central power, new civil servants whose vision is national C. Standing Armies kept, expensive to monarch, poor bear brunt of taxation w/ no representation in assemblies, monarchs borrow extensively from rich D. Monarchs don’t call assemblies (source of noble power)

France A. after Joan of Arc, England and Burgundy out of picture B. Charles VI sets stage for Louis XI 1. Economy, diplomatic corps, etc. C. successors launch bad Foreign policy (Invasions of Italy) D. France heads back downhill

Spain A. Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabelle of Castille get hitched B. Secure borders & venture abroad militarily C Reconquista 1. Convert all of Spain a. conquer Moors at Granada b. expel Jews 2. Institute Inquisition

Northern Renaissance A. combine Gothic tradition with Renaissance style & Reformation thought B. some exposure to the unknown and mystecism C. Pagan influence of nature D. fans of writing in the vernacular

Printing Press A. increase in lay literacy B. cheaper process for paper C. Northern Humanists write for lay people D. Printers guild becomes powerful E. much easier to get ideas to the masses F. key role in Reformation and Counter Reformation