1. Early Renaissance “rebirth of learning”
Early Renaissance “rebirth of learning” **Copy everything without a red X

2. What was the Renaissance?
Period following the middle ages ( )
“Rebirth” of classical Greece and Rome
Began in Italy
Moved to northern Europe

3. Causes of the Renaissance
Lessening of feudalism
Church disrespected (losses stronghold)
Nobility in chaos
Growth of Middle Class through trade
Fall of Constantinople (to Turks)
Greek scholars fled to Italy
Education
Nostalgia among the Italians to recapture the glory of the Roman empire

4. The Silk Road Reopens After Black Death Europe begins to recover
Mongols took over China in 1200s making the Silk Road safe again
Marco Polo saw amazing things-paper money-helped trade
Kublai Khan

5. By the 1300s four northern Italian cities had become trading centers
Florence (cloth)
Milan (weapons and silk)
Venice  Main port city (glass)
Genoa  Main port city
Merchant ships brought luxuries from Asia to these harbors—then traded with all of Europe
Some merchant families become incredibly wealthy and this wealth led to the Reinaissance!

6. Medici family of bankers in Florence were wealthy and gained political power. Cosimo de/ Medici wanted Florence to be the most beautiful city in the world (also valued education). The Renaissance was born. They studied poetry, history, art, and the Greek and Latin languages.

7. Humanism
This led to humanism, a way of thinking and learning that stresses the importance of human abilities and actions.
Pursuit of individualism
Recognition that humans are creative
Appreciation of art as a product of man
Life could be enjoyable
Love of the classical past (works by Greek thinkers)—many found in monasteries WHY?

8. Italian Background Major city centers
Venice: Republic ruled by oligarchy, Byzantine origins
Milan: Visconti and Sforza families
Florence (Tuscany): Republic ruled by the Medici
Papal States: Ruled by the Pope—Vatican City