Download How did the Renaissance Begin

How did the Renaissance Begin?
What were the factors that shaped the Renaissance Worldview?
FACTOR #1 RELIGION
During the time period we call the Middle Ages in Europe, Christians believed many
things about the world.
1. The poor accepted a harsh short
life on earth.
2. The poor believed that they would
be rewarded after death by going
to heaven
3. Wealthy people also believed that
they could go to heaven and
believed that donating money and
land (also known as
indulgencies) to the church
would guarantee them a place in
heaven.
4. The church was very wealthy and
very powerful. The Pope was the
head of the church on earth, local
bishops and abbots also held
power. The church held power
over kings and kingdoms as well
as people’s beliefs and actions.
Rarely did anyone disagree with the church. The church employed most of Europe’s
major thinkers and artists. However, the Humanist worldview began to question the
churches self appointed right to rule the lives of others.
FACTOR #2
CONTACT WITH OTHER PEOPLE GROUPS
In times past, historians often referred to the time period of the Middle Ages as
the Dark Ages of history, believing that the world was in a dark period of culture and
historical significance, but what Historians know now is very different.
Many cultures all over the world were flourishing such as the Chinese, Indian,
African, Islamic nations in the east and Mayan and Aztec societies in Central America
and Mexico. Europe had connection to the east through the well developed trade routes to
the east known as the Silk Road.
The Silk Road
It was the empires in Asia and Northern Africa that would have the most influence
on Europe moving out of the Middle Ages into its “Rebirth”
The Silk Road offered a passage of material goods such as silk spices, jewels and
rare commodities. More important than the material goods that moved along the
Silk Road were ideas and knowledge.
Understanding of religion, science, technology, philosophy, music, and mathematics
from societies along the Silk Road passed from society to society. Above all there
was a sharing of worldviews.
FACTOR #3 EXPLORATIONS
The Renaissance began to flourish in the 14th century CE in the cities of the Italian
peninsula in southern Europe as contact was made with the east. However, feuding
nations and a closing of the eastern trade routes caused many Europeans to consider a sea
passage to the Indies.