7 th Grade World History Spring 2011

What and When is the Renaissance? The Renaissance literally means “rebirth” and is the period that follows Europe’s Middle Ages. This was a time period of great advancement in art, literature, and thinking. It lasted approximately between 1350 and 1650.

The Steps of the Renaissance (Review) The Mongol Empire re-opens the Silk Road from Asia to the Middle East Marco Polo’s book about China sparks interest in the East Trade cities in Italy begin becoming cultural centers and bringing ideas from the Middle East The Medici family begins spending money on education artists and architects to encourage people to come to their city Other cities see that this method is successful, and begin copying Florence. Arts and artists begin flourishing in Italy As these cities begin receiving attention, other cities in Europe follow the Same process, and the Renaissance begins The Renaissance encourages people to re-discover the arts, and begin thinking more independently.

Humanism During the Middle Ages, people focused solely on Religion. During the Renaissance, the focus shifted to ideas like history, literature, public speaking, and the arts. All of these subjects focus on humans, rather than religion. This movement to study the humanities was known as humanism.

Rediscovering Ideas Classical Ideas Rediscovered during the Renaissance Scholars from the Byzantine Empire fleeing from war brought ancient documents from Greece and Rome. These new texts excited scholars and historians, who began to look for texts in monasteries. There they found multiple Latin texts from the Roman Empire. Renaissance Scholars focused on learning the humanities. Artists went to Roman ruins to study their form.

Classical vs. Renaissance Classical Renaissance

Changes in Writing Writers began writing in their native language, or vernacular, instead of in Latin. Writing in someone's native language encouraged people to read their material Other writers began writing about non-religious topics

Renaissance Writers

Changes in Art Medieval Art Renaissance Art

Renaissance Artists

Changes in Science Scholars began to improve ancient math texts, and created new symbols like the +, -, and New ideas in architecture allowed architects to create new masterpieces, and finish old projects. Ideas about astronomy also changed. During the middle ages, people believed that the sun revolved around the earth. In the Renaissance, scientist used items like the telescope, and began to calculate the size and shape of the earth.

Achievements in Science

Changes in Education Italy began building universities, and scholars began teaching humanism ideas. Universities moved away from religion and spread across Europe.

The Printing Press The printing press was created in 1455 by Guttenberg. Instead of writing pages one by one, writers could spread their ideas to hundreds or thousands of people quickly. Mailing letters vs. .

The Northern Renaissance By the late 1400s, the ideas of the Renaissance moved to Northern Europe. People in Northern Europe began to mix the ideas of humanism and Christianity to create Christian Humanism.

Literature Beyond Italy European authors like Miguel Cervantes began writing novels (fictional stories), and made fun of life during the middle ages. William Shakespeare wrote plays that are still famous today.

Literature around Europe.