Renaissance & Reformation

Renaissance = “Rebirth” of learning & interest in classical ideas & culture Period from “A Cultural Awakening” Period from “A Cultural Awakening” Signaled the beginning of Modern Times Signaled the beginning of Modern Times Renaissance first began in Italian city-states Renaissance first began in Italian city-states Italians were still attached to the classical world Italians were still attached to the classical world Ancient Roman buildings & ruins were constant reminders of their heritage Ancient Roman buildings & ruins were constant reminders of their heritage

Humanism = A new intellectual movement that focused on secular, or worldly, themes rather than religious ideas that dominated Medieval thinkers Idea came from studying Ancient Greek and Latin manuscripts Idea came from studying Ancient Greek and Latin manuscripts Humanism stressed Individualism = People should develop all of their talents = politics, sports, art, etc… Humanism stressed Individualism = People should develop all of their talents = politics, sports, art, etc… Believed education was key to unlock individual talents Believed education was key to unlock individual talents

Humanist Thinkers Niccolo Machiavelli = Wrote “The Prince” Book about Realistic politics of Renaissance Italy Book about Realistic politics of Renaissance Italy According to Machiavelli: According to Machiavelli: 1. Rulers should use Force & Deceit to stay in power “The Ends Justifies the Means” 1. Rulers should use Force & Deceit to stay in power “The Ends Justifies the Means” * Critics called it sacrilegious & immoral * Critics called it sacrilegious & immoral * Machiavelli defended it as True & Honest about politics * Machiavelli defended it as True & Honest about politics * Available at most public libraries & bookstores * Available at most public libraries & bookstores Humanist thinkers began to challenge long accepted traditions, assumptions & institutions > The Church Humanist thinkers began to challenge long accepted traditions, assumptions & institutions > The Church Through study & investigation of Ancient Knowledge, Humanists questioned & challenged everything around them = Knowledge Through study & investigation of Ancient Knowledge, Humanists questioned & challenged everything around them = Knowledge

Italian Cities Italy did not unify itself like France & England Italy did not unify itself like France & England Italy made up of Rich, Independent City-States Italy made up of Rich, Independent City-States Individual wealth was much more important that aristocratic titles or bloodline Individual wealth was much more important that aristocratic titles or bloodline Social Ladder Social Ladder 1. Merchants & Bankers replace Nobility as #1 social and political group 1. Merchants & Bankers replace Nobility as #1 social and political group 2. Artisans & Shopkeepers #2 on social ladder 2. Artisans & Shopkeepers #2 on social ladder 3. Peasants at bottom of ladder 3. Peasants at bottom of ladder The wealthiest families in a City-State ruled the city The wealthiest families in a City-State ruled the city The 3 leading Renaissance Cities were: The 3 leading Renaissance Cities were: Florence, Rome & Venice Florence, Rome & Venice

Florence Ruled by the Medici family beginning in 1400’s Ruled by the Medici family beginning in 1400’s The birthplace of the Italian Renaissance The birthplace of the Italian Renaissance First Income Tax = Heavier burden of taxes on wealthy First Income Tax = Heavier burden of taxes on wealthy Taxes used to make city improvements: sewers, paved streets, etc… Taxes used to make city improvements: sewers, paved streets, etc…

Rome During the 1500s Rome was the leading Renaissance city During the 1500s Rome was the leading Renaissance city Pope & Cardinals lived in the Vatican, wealthiest class Pope & Cardinals lived in the Vatican, wealthiest class The Popes used their $$$ to rebuild Ancient Rome The Popes used their $$$ to rebuild Ancient Rome * Architecture, churches & Artists flourished in Rome * Architecture, churches & Artists flourished in Rome St. Peter’s Basilica = Largest church in Christian world was built during this period St. Peter’s Basilica = Largest church in Christian world was built during this period

Venice Port city on the Adriatic Sea Port city on the Adriatic Sea Traders and Merchants from all over the world did business in Venice Traders and Merchants from all over the world did business in Venice $$$ from World Trade $$$ from World Trade Spent $$$ to modernize city Spent $$$ to modernize city

The Northern Renaissance Renaissance attitude & Humanist ideas began spreading North from Italy in the late 1400s Renaissance attitude & Humanist ideas began spreading North from Italy in the late 1400s War, Trade & Travel made this cultural diffusion possible War, Trade & Travel made this cultural diffusion possible Italian Renaissance ideas were adapted to fit local attitudes Italian Renaissance ideas were adapted to fit local attitudes Many Northern thinkers & scholars traveled to Italy to study with the Italian masters & brought educated ideas back home & taught others Many Northern thinkers & scholars traveled to Italy to study with the Italian masters & brought educated ideas back home & taught others

Printing Press By the 1400s Germans invented movable type By the 1400s Germans invented movable type Letters set in molds, inked & pressed on paper Letters set in molds, inked & pressed on paper 1456 Johannes Gutenberg printed complete Bible using movable type ( of the 42 left sold for $5.4 million) 1456 Johannes Gutenberg printed complete Bible using movable type ( of the 42 left sold for $5.4 million) Books published more quickly for less $$$ Books published more quickly for less $$$ Humanist books could meet demands, knowledge spread more rapidly & more people could afford education Humanist books could meet demands, knowledge spread more rapidly & more people could afford education

Christian Humanism Northern Renaissance had a more religious tone, the opposite of Italy Northern Renaissance had a more religious tone, the opposite of Italy Christian scholars used Humanist ideas to reform Catholicism = Christian scholars used Humanist ideas to reform Catholicism = 1. Eliminate abuses by Church 1. Eliminate abuses by Church 2. Restore simple beliefs of the early Church 2. Restore simple beliefs of the early ChurchErasmus Encouraged the study of Ancient Greek & Hebrew to understand older versions of the Bible Encouraged the study of Ancient Greek & Hebrew to understand older versions of the Bible Wrote “The Praise of Folly” Wrote “The Praise of Folly” * Attacked the wealth of the Pope * Attacked the wealth of the Pope * Exposed corrupt practices of the Church * Exposed corrupt practices of the Church * Made fun of the Church * Made fun of the Church

Sir Thomas More = English Humorist Wrote “Utopia” Wrote “Utopia” * Criticized society of his day by showing what a perfect, ideal society should look like * Criticized society of his day by showing what a perfect, ideal society should look like * All citizens should be equal & prosperous * All citizens should be equal & prosperous * Available at most public libraries & bookstores * Available at most public libraries & bookstores

William Shakespeare = English Playwright Drew ideas from Medieval Legends, Classical Mythology & Ancient History Drew ideas from Medieval Legends, Classical Mythology & Ancient History Dealt with human qualities: Dealt with human qualities: * Jealousy * Jealousy * Ambition * Ambition * Love * Love * Despair * Despair Realistic look at Human Nature Realistic look at Human Nature Audiences today still relate to his plays Audiences today still relate to his plays More than 420 feature length movies have been made from his plays making him the most filmed author ever More than 420 feature length movies have been made from his plays making him the most filmed author ever

The Protestant Reformation

Renaissance values of humanism & Secularism caused widespread criticism of the Catholic Church & their extravagance Renaissance values of humanism & Secularism caused widespread criticism of the Catholic Church & their extravagance Starting around 1500 Europeans began calling for a Reformation = A change in the ways the Church taught and practiced Christianity Starting around 1500 Europeans began calling for a Reformation = A change in the ways the Church taught and practiced Christianity Started by Martin Luther = German Monk Started by Martin Luther = German Monk * Was going to be a lawyer * Was going to be a lawyer * In 1505 nearly struck by lightning * In 1505 nearly struck by lightning ~ Saw it as God trying to punish him ~ Saw it as God trying to punish him ~ Decided then to become a Monk ~ Decided then to become a Monk

Martin Luther (cont.) Luther read in Romans: “He through faith is righteous shall live” Luther read in Romans: “He through faith is righteous shall live” Luther’s Interpretation = A person could be made just, or good, simply by faith in God’s mercy and love = Justification by Faith Luther’s Interpretation = A person could be made just, or good, simply by faith in God’s mercy and love = Justification by Faith His ideas brought him into conflict with the Church His ideas brought him into conflict with the Church Pope Leo X Pope at the time of Luther’s Protest Pope at the time of Luther’s Protest Was raising $$$ to rebuild St. Peters Basilica in Rome Was raising $$$ to rebuild St. Peters Basilica in Rome 1. Sold Church positions to his friends 1. Sold Church positions to his friends 2. Authorized the sale of Indulgences 2. Authorized the sale of Indulgences

Indulgences Certificates issued by the Church that would reduce or even cancel punishment for a person’s Sin Certificates issued by the Church that would reduce or even cancel punishment for a person’s Sin People thought document would assure them Heaven People thought document would assure them Heaven Church encouraged people to buy indulgences for dead relatives to ensure their place in Heaven (Move them out of Purgatory into Heaven) Church encouraged people to buy indulgences for dead relatives to ensure their place in Heaven (Move them out of Purgatory into Heaven)

Martin Luther and the 95 Theses Martin Luther was a Professor & Priest in the German town of Wittenberg at the time Martin Luther was a Professor & Priest in the German town of Wittenberg at the time He started preaching against the sale of Indulgences & other corrupt practices of the Church He started preaching against the sale of Indulgences & other corrupt practices of the Church October 31, 1517 Luther nailed his 95 Theses to Wittenberg’s Church = 95 corrupt practices of the Church October 31, 1517 Luther nailed his 95 Theses to Wittenberg’s Church = 95 corrupt practices of the Church Printed copies of 95 Theses spread all over Germany Printed copies of 95 Theses spread all over Germany Sales of Indulgenced dropped sharply Sales of Indulgenced dropped sharply Pope Leo X sent envoys to meet with Martin Luther & persuade him to withdraw his criticism Pope Leo X sent envoys to meet with Martin Luther & persuade him to withdraw his criticism Luther Refused Luther Refused 1520 Pope Leo X excommunicated Martin Luther 1520 Pope Leo X excommunicated Martin Luther

Lutheranism The first Protestant Faith The first Protestant Faith Emphasized salvation by faith alone Emphasized salvation by faith alone Bible was the only source of Religious truth Bible was the only source of Religious truth Less Rituals, More Preaching from the Bible Less Rituals, More Preaching from the Bible Instead of preaching in Catholics Latin Language Lutheran services were preached in vernacular = The People’s language Instead of preaching in Catholics Latin Language Lutheran services were preached in vernacular = The People’s language

John Calvin Started Calvinism in Switzerland Started Calvinism in Switzerland Agreed with Luther that Good Deeds Do Not bring Salvation Agreed with Luther that Good Deeds Do Not bring Salvation Taught Predestination Taught Predestination * God chose before birth who would go to Heaven no matter what you did during life, fate was predetermined * God chose before birth who would go to Heaven no matter what you did during life, fate was predetermined