What was the Renaissance? (13a, b, c) What was the Renaissance, and where did it begin? Italy Italian Cities: Urban Societies, Major Trading Centers Secular: Move away from life in the church and focus on material objects and enjoying life

The Renaissance was a time of renewal Renaissance means rebirth and Europe was recovering from the Dark ages and the plague. Some people lost faith in the Church and began to focus on human achievements.

The Church and The Bank Thou Shall Not Charge Interest! The Roman Catholic Church had a rule against Usury: lending money and charging interest, especially a lot of interest! (Today, we call these people Loan Sharks!) As trade expands, interest in Eastern goods grows from the Crusades Northern Italy secularizes by pursuing Banking! Northern Italy = cities, urban, trading networks, banks!

Economic Innovations Letters of Credit: allow buyers and sellers to trade (distance) with a Bank guaranteeing payment –Expand the money supply and expedite (speed-up) trade. New Accounting and Bookkeeping practices –Manage complex, far-reaching enterprises (business ventures) Double-Entry bookkeeping: debit versus credit –Arabic numerals used (transition from Roman numerals) Is it easy to add III + III or 3 + 3?

Major Italian Cities Italy in the 15 th Century was a collection of independent city-states. They were initially governed as republics. Northern Italian city-states played an important role in the Renaissance. Milan Venice Florence Milan One of the richest cities, it controls trade through the Alps. Venice Sitting on the Adriatic, it attracts trade from all over the world. Florence Controlled by the De Medici Family, who became great patrons of the arts. Genoa Had Access to Trade Routes All of these cities: Had access to trade routes connecting Europe with Middle Eastern markets Served as trading centers for the distribution of goods to northern Europe Were initially independent city-states governed as republics

The House of Medici Most powerful, wealthy family in Europe in the 15 th Century The Medici Bank in Florence was the bank of European monarchs, the Church, and businesses across Europe. There will be 4 Medici Popes, 2 Medici Queens of France, and many Dukes and Duchesses of Florence till 1737!

Medici Money Funds the Renaissance! Cosimo de Medici ( ) dominated the politics and economy of Florence –He was a devoted patron of the arts, supporting artists such as Ghiberti, Brunelleschi, and Donatello Lorenzo the Magnificent ( ), Cosimo’s grandson, made Florence the cultural center of Europe. –He was a patron to Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo

Art = Power! Cosimo commissioned Donatello’s David (1440), which is the first nude sculpture to be made since Ancient Greece & Rome! Considered “scandalous” but Cosimo had it placed in the center courtyard of the Medici palace!

Before the Renaissance: Church Scholars Were among the very few who could read and write Worked in monasteries (monks living under religious vows) Translated Greek and Arabic works into Latin Made new knowledge in philosophy, medicine, and science available in Europe Laid the foundations for the rise of universities in Europe

During the Renaissance: Secular Scholars During the Renaissance, individuals began to pursue knowledge for themselves Moved away from Latin (language of the Church) to the vernacular (their common languages) Education/Knowledge left the monasteries and was pursued by all! Artists, Authors, Scientists = Renaissance Men!

How did classical knowledge of the ancient Greeks and Romans foster humanism in the Italian Renaissance? Humanism Celebrated the individual Stimulated study of Greek and Roman literature and culture Was supported by wealthy patrons

Francesco Petrarch Francesco Petrarch Poetry/Literature: Sonnets, Humanist collected Greek and Roman writings. Wrote Sonnets to Laura, love poems in Italian (vernacular) Wearing the Laurels of a Poet (Poet Laureate)

Political Ideas of the Renaissance Niccolò Machiavelli’s work: The Prince An early modern treatise on government Machiavelli believed: “One can make this generalization about men: they are ungrateful, fickle, liars, and deceivers, they shun danger and are greedy for profit” His book was a series of guidelines for absolute rulers – getting and maintaining power! A ruler should be willing to do anything to maintain control without worrying about conscience. OLWbz8

1.It is better to be feared by your people than loved 2.You must be quick and decisive in action 3.Hold on to power by any means necessary! 4.The end (result) justifies the means (what you did to get the result)! 5.Be good if possible, and evil when necessary! How to be an Absolute Ruler, according to Machiavelli: