The Renaissance- Intellectual Themes and Italian Politics When, Where, and Why? 15 th and 16 th centuries 15 th and 16 th centuries Why Italy? Why Italy? –Economic boom  Decent position to serve as Asia/European trading ‘middle man’ –Relatively high # of cities –Legacy of classical civilization –Influx of classical texts from the Arab/Muslim world (crusades)

The Renaissance French, ‘naissance’. French, ‘naissance’. Spanish ‘nacimiento’ Spanish ‘nacimiento’ Re- naissance??? Re- naissance???

The ‘rebirth’ of what??? I think I will name my baby Greece Roman!

Intellectual Themes Reason - Rational thought plus a willingness to challenge first principles (“Perhaps we are as smart as the Greco-Romans!”) Reason - Rational thought plus a willingness to challenge first principles (“Perhaps we are as smart as the Greco-Romans!”) Humanism- the elevation of the human mind as a source for knowledge and critical thought (at least equal to the bible) Humanism- the elevation of the human mind as a source for knowledge and critical thought (at least equal to the bible) –Aka secularism or individualism Humanities- those things that you need to study to become a cultured individual Humanities- those things that you need to study to become a cultured individual –Medieval fields of study  law, medicine and theology –Renaissance adds  history, art, philosophy, rhetoric, etc.) –Education is necessary for good citizenship… so increasingly non-clergy receive educations in the Renaissance…

Renaissance Themes Didn’t Sit Well With the Great Chain of Being Divine right/the Great Chain were not based on reason Divine right/the Great Chain were not based on reason Thus, reason threatened those in power Thus, reason threatened those in power

Key City States Florence- started off the Renaissance and most of the time its brightest star Florence- started off the Renaissance and most of the time its brightest star Rome- High Renaissance Rome- High Renaissance

Internal Politics in the Italian City States They Started out with an advantage  free of Feudalism/the Chain They Started out with an advantage  free of Feudalism/the Chain –At this point they were Communes – run by guilds (collections of workers organized by trade) Then  Urban nobility v popolo Then  Urban nobility v popolo –Nobility in the surrounding countryside moved into the city-states to intermarry with newly rich merchants –These ‘Urban nobles’ clashed with workers (who were referred to as ‘the popolo’ (the people) –Popolo often won at first and set up short-lived Republics –These were unstable, largely because the leaders of the Republics quickly started to abuse their own power and couldn’t maintain order –Wealthy elites used anger at the Republican governments to return to power- these elites were known as ‘Signori’. They were ‘oligarchs’. (An oligarchy is a rule by a small elite).

(cont.) Signori/Oligarchs used façades of classical government Signori/Oligarchs used façades of classical government –Why? Wealth of oligarchs, via patronage, which refers to financial encouragement and support, spurred cultural growth Wealth of oligarchs, via patronage, which refers to financial encouragement and support, spurred cultural growth –De Medici’s in Florence –Sforza’s in Milan Balance of power/Ambassadors Balance of power/Ambassadors

External Italian Politics are Important, too… Balance of power pro- stability and cultural vibrancy in city-states Balance of power pro- stability and cultural vibrancy in city-states Balance of power con- not strong enough to stand up to foreign invasion Balance of power con- not strong enough to stand up to foreign invasion Habsburg- Valois Wars Habsburg- Valois Wars –Fight between the Holy Roman Emperor (a Habsburg) and the French (a Valois) for the spoils of the Italian city states –Rome was even sacked by a Habsburg leader –(Habsburgs) eventually ended up with most of the Italian city states (Italy won’t exist as a country until the mid to late 19 th century)

The Northern Renaissance The Italian Renaissance was extinguished by the Habsburg-Valois Wars, but the invaders were ‘conquered’ by Renaissance ideas The Italian Renaissance was extinguished by the Habsburg-Valois Wars, but the invaders were ‘conquered’ by Renaissance ideas Or, “the Renaissance crossed the Alps” Or, “the Renaissance crossed the Alps” Northern Renaissance Northern Renaissance –Mainly in the HRE, the Netherlands, England, and France –More religious - Christian Humanists –Hoped to reform society (government, education, etc.) to more accurately reflect ethics as taught by Jesus  Example- Erasmus’ more accurate translation of the New Testament from Greek  Erasmus believed that the bible should be accessible to everyone – thus education was important

The End The End

HansenName _____________________ AP Euro Period _________ The Renaissance- Intellectual Themes and Italian Politics (Lecture #1) Note-Taking Guide ► Renaissance Themes Didn’t Sit Well With _________________ Divine right/the Great Chain were not _________________ Thus, reason threatened those in power ► Key City States _________- started off the Renaissance and most of the time its brightest star _________- High Renaissance ► Internal Politics in the Italian City States They Started out with an advantage  ________________ _______________________________________________ –At this point they were _____________ – run by guilds (_________________________________________ __________________________________________) Then  Urban nobility v popolo –Nobility in the surrounding countryside moved into the city-states to _________________________________ ___________________________________________ –These ‘Urban nobles’ clashed with ________ (who were referred to as ‘the popolo’ (________________) –Popolo often won at first and set up ______________ ___________________________________________ –These were unstable, largely because the leaders of the Republics quickly started to __________________ ___________________ and couldn’t ______________ ___________________________________________ –Wealthy elites used anger at the Republican governments ______________________ - these elites were known as ‘Signori’. They were ‘oligarchs’. (An oligarchy is _______________________________). ►When, Where, and Why? _____ th and _____ th centuries Why Italy? –Economic boom _____________________________________ –Relatively high # of ___________________________ –Legacy of __________________________________ –Influx of classical texts from ____________________ _________________________________________ –The name – ‘Renaissance’? ___________________ __________________________________________ ►When, Where, and Why? Reason- _______________________________________ ____________________________________________ (“Perhaps we are as smart as the Greco-Romans!”) Humanism- ____________________________________ ______________________________________________ (at least equal to the bible) –Aka ________________or __________________ Humanities- those things that you need to study to become _________________________ –Medieval fields of study  law, medicine, theology –Renaissance adds  ________________________ _____________________________________, etc.) –Education is necessary for good citizenship… so increasingly ______________ receive educations

HansenName _____________________ AP Euro Period _________ The Renaissance- Intellectual Themes and Italian Politics (Lecture #1) Note-Taking Guide ► The Northern Renaissance The Italian Renaissance was __________________ by the Habsburg-Valois Wars, but the invaders were ____________ ________________________________________________ Or, “the Renaissance crossed __________________” Northern Renaissance –Mainly in the __________, the Netherlands, England, and France –________________- Christian Humanists –Hoped to reform society (government, education, etc.) to more accurately reflect ethics as taught by Jesus Example- ______________________________ ______________________________________ Erasmus believed that the bible should be _______________________________ – thus _________________ was important Signori/Oligarchs used façades of classical government –Why? _____________________________________ __________________________________________ Wealth of oligarchs, via ________________________, which refers to _________________________________ _____________________________ spurred cultural growth –De Medici’s in ______________ –Sforza’s in _________________ Balance of power/Ambassadors –__________________________________________ __________________________________________ ► ____________________Italian Politics are Important, too… Balance of power pro- ___________________________ ______________________________________________ Balance of power con- ___________________________ ______________________________________________ Habsburg- Valois Wars –Fight between the __________________________ (a Habsburg) and ___________________________ (a Valois) for the spoils of the Italian city states –_________________________by a Habsburg leader –Habsburgs eventually ended up with most of the Italian city states (__________________________ __________________________________________)