2. What was the Renaissance?
“Rebirth”
Time in Europe following Middle Ages
People begin to view themselves differently- learning, interested in present day life, focus on individual achievement
New spirit of adventure- explorers, science, art, writing

3. Timeline to Renaissance
Beginning of Time
Height of
Roman
Empire
Fall of
Dark
Ages Medieval
Period

4. Humanism-Focus on human activities / control
LEADS TO:
•Intellectual and Economic Changes during the 14th-16thCenturies
•Growth of the merchant class
•Resurgence of the city
Revival of Classical Learning

5. Humanism •3 main Greek & Roman ideas:
•Improvement through study & reflection
•Commitment to public service
•Life long learning (Well Rounded)

6. Intellectual Changes Education increases
•Humanists-Concern with the Greek & Roman Classics
•Art & Architecture developed
•View of the world changed
•Decline of religion
•Increased understanding of the world

7. Economic Changes Demand for goods and services increases
•Manufacturing centered in towns & cities
•Bankers & moneychangers grew wealthy
•Increased focus on education
•Math, Reading, & Culture

8. Growth of Merchant Class
Merchant & Commercial Class grew in power
•More wealth=more influence
•Promoted education and understanding of the world

9. Italy and the Renaissance
Movement begins on Italian Peninsula
Why??
Recapture glory of Rome
Wealthy cities- Florence, Milan, Venice
Trading Center
Spread north through trade, war, word of mouth

10. Renaissance People Niccolo Machiavelli
Italian, wrote “The Prince”, meant to be ruler’s guide to uniting peninsula- remembered as dictator’s playbook
William Shakespeare
English Playwright, stories deal with basic human emotions- don’t change over time
Leonardo Da Vinci- “Renaissance Man”
Inventor, Scientist, Artist, Sculptor

11. Renaissance People
Johann Gutenberg- German, Printing Press = cheaper books, more available, literacy rates rise, ideas / knowledge spread

13. Leonardo Da Vinci
“Renaissance Man”
Inventor
Scientist
Artist
Sculptor

16. Scientific Revolution
Renaissance looked to past / religion for ideas, solutions
Eventually people look to science to lead to human progress
Challenge previously held notions / authority
Everything must be proven!

17. Up to this time…
Beliefs of Ancient Greeks / Catholic church dominated thought- based on observation / faith
Aristotle / Ptolemy- earth is center of universe, heavens fixed in place, natural order to the world, four elements= earth, water, fire, air
Church- Predestination, God’s order
Ideas combined, answers all questions- no need to think

18. Examples
Nicolaus Copernicus- “heliocentric theory” of universe, contradicts church teachings
Galileo Galilei- Develops telescope- supports Copernicus, challenges church teaching that heavens were fixed in place- put on trial by church Inquisition
Newton- Gravity

19. Revolution in Thought
Cannot reach conclusion and then find evidence to fit, evidence must lead to conclusion
Rene Descartes: “I think, therefore I am”,
challenges church view of the world
Francis Bacon: Practical use for science- technology to make life better

20. Not everyone agreed…
"This would be as if somebody were riding on a cart or in a ship and imagined that he was standing still while the earth and the trees were moving”- Martin Luther’s criticism of the heliocentric theory

21. Impacts Secular – Religious battle goes on
Apply to other areas- anatomy, animals, exploration, government, technology
Age of human progress begins- seek scientific solutions to problems and to improve the world ( rather than relying on God or the past)
Leads to industrial revolution- machines created to mass produce goods = continued progress in standard of living