The Renaissance Why Italy?????

Why Italy? Geography Crossroads of trade Urbanization 25% of Italians were involved in the civil culture Cities acted as magnets for trade, ideas and culture

Social Factors Nobles tended to be more oriented to money-making and cultural accomplishment A new elite emerged where wealth and worldly achievement mattered more than simply status

Political Variety Collection of small and large city-states City-states had flourished in the absence of the pope No central authority to stamp out potentially threatening ideas

The Italian City States Florence Ruled as a republic Dominated by the Medici family Important people Cosimo de Medici Lorenzo de Medici Savanarola

Center of textiles and banking “Queen City of the Renaissance”

Military dictatorship ruled by the Visconti family Important people Milan Military dictatorship ruled by the Visconti family Important people Gian Galeazzo Visconti Francesco Sforza Condottiere

Center of overland trade between Italy’s seaports and Northern Europe Gained wealth from agriculture and industry

Technically ruled as a despotism by the papacy Papal States Technically ruled as a despotism by the papacy Actually an ineffective elective monarchy Important people Alexander VI Julius II

Time period of 1417-1540 is called the Renaissance papacy Popes became deeply involved in politics Their secular involvements reduced their effectiveness Rome became the center of the High Renaissance after 1490

Venice Technically a republic Actually an oligarchy (Book of Gold) The Great Council Elected the Doge More of a figure head than actual ruler

Venice was a major trading power due to its contact with the Byzantine Empire and later the Ottomans

Naples A relatively backward feudal monachy Participated little in the intellectual and artistic Renaissance