1. Chapter 13 Lesson 1: Origins of the Renaissance

2. Main Ideas Events brought an end to the Middle Ages, and feudal life.
Toward end of the Middle Ages, trade flourished. Brought new goods and ideas to an increasing number of people.
Humanism stressed the importance of individuals and human achievement.

3. The Rise of Nations Feudalism = small kingdoms rule Europe.
England and France form powerful Monarchies.
Individual Lords/Landowners began to lose power.

5. End of Medieval Institutions
Plague = population decline, limiting serfs and adding value to skilled labor.
Longbow and Gunpowder make knights useless.
British Agincourt (1451)

6. Early 15th Century Merchant Class Attire
The Expansion of Trade
Warfare declines, Traders feel safe to travel through Europe.
Merchant class returns to Europe.
Early 15th Century Merchant Class Attire

7. The Silk Road Few felt safe to make the long journey after Rome falls.
Stability returns to Europe, and China
(The Mongol Empire keeps the Chinese in line).
1200’s trading begins along the Silk Roads again.

8. ~ Portrait from 16th Century
Marco Polo
In 1271, an Italian Trader, Marco Polo journeyed from Europe to China.
After 24 years, Polo returns to Italy with stories of great riches.
Stories encourage European merchants to trade in Asia.
Marco Polo
~ Portrait from 16th Century

10. New Ways of Thinking 1200’s a revived interest in learning begins.
Classics of Greece and Rome were again studied.
Plato
Socrates
Aristotle

11. Humanism
Humanism: focuses on human beings and their potential for achievement.
Classical subjects: History, Grammar, Literature and Philosophy.
Goal is to create a well rounded individual. Also, encourage people to achieve all they could in life.
Petrarch, one of first thinkers to stress this classical learning.

12. A New Age of Creativity
Humanism helped strengthen the desire to experiment, explore and create.
Began on Italian Peninsula and marked the beginning of “The Renaissance.”