The Renaissance Spreads to Northern Europe Essential Question: What aided the spread of Renaissance ideas from Italy to Northern Europe?

The Beginnings of the Renaissance Renaissance literally means “rebirth” Renaissance began in Italy (Florence) Reasons: thriving cities, wealthy merchants, Greek and Roman heritage Italy=Urban Easier for people to share ideas Rest of Europe=rural

Looking to Greece and Rome Wanted to return to the learnings of the Greeks and Romans Inspiration from Roman ruins Studied Ancient Latin and Greek Manuscripts Classical ideas  new outlook on life Humanism=human potential and achievements Humanities=study of literature, history and philosophy

Spread to Northern Europe End of Hundred Years’ War in1453– cities grew Merchants became wealthy and supported the arts First in Flanders—long-distance trade and cloth industry England and France unified under monarchs who supported artists King of France hired Leonardo da Vinci

The Printing Press During the 15th and 16th century, the Renaissance spread beyond Italy to France, Holland, England and Spain. In the mid-1400s, Johann Gutenberg invented a moveable metal type and printing press. The first book printed in Europe was the Gutenberg bible around 1455 Before the printing press, books were copied by hand Question: How did the printing press help to spread Renaissance ideas?

This advent of the printing press allowed for books to be mass produced The increased circulation of books helped to spread the ideas of the Renaissance.

Language During this period Latin was the official language of the Roman Catholic church and scholars throughout Europe Other languages such as: Italian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Dutch, German and English developed through everyday usage Eventually, scholars dropped writing in Latin and began writing in their own languages Question: How did writing in their own vernacular [dialect spoken by ordinary people] help to also further the spread of Renaissance ideas?

This allowed more people to read the scholars works, because Latin was not widely known outside of the church and the educated scholars of Europe This combined with the printing press, which led to an increase in printed materials and allowed for cheaper printed materials to be produced These factors allowed people to become more literate and better educated

Trade Trade with merchants from all throughout Europe, which caused people to come in contact with each other and share their ideas When scholars heard about Italy, they travelled to Italy to come in contact with new ideas → bringing the new ideas then back to their home countries