Download what was the renaissance

WHAT WAS THE RENAISSANCE?
The Renaissance is the name given to a new way of life that appeared in Europe. It
marked the end of the Middle Ages. It lasted from the 14th -16th centuries and
changed people’ attitudes towards themselves and the world around them. It was a
period when people re-discovered learning and looked back to the classical
civilizations of Rome and Greece. It was an exciting time of new inventions and
amazing discoveries. It was also a time of beautiful art works and magnificent
buildings.
One major change was the development of the
printing press in Germany by Johannes Gutenberg
around 1436. Previously books were handwritten and
expensive. The development of printing made them
quicker to produce and cheaper. The new
Renaissance ideas could spread quickly throughout
Europe.
The Renaissance began in Italy. Whilst most
people in Europe still worked on the land, Italy
was different. It was made up of several
independent states. They were prosperous and a
centre for international trade. They employed
rich bankers, merchants and lawyers who could
afford to build fine houses, buy books and employ
musicians and artists. The rival city states
competed with each other to be the richest and
most successful at everything they did. Many new
scholars arrived in Italy after the Fall of
Constantinople in 1453. They brought with them
ancient manuscripts from Greece and Roman
times.
Old beliefs – ‘The Age of Faith’
In Medieval times man was taught that he was a sinner and must accept the
church and pray. The Middle Ages are often called “The Age of Faith”
because most ordinary men and women believed completely that God
controlled everything and the Church was always right. Deaths and poor
harvests were a punishment from God for their sins.
Church theories of the universe were based on
the writings of the ancient philosopher Ptolemy.
The church taught that God created the world
and so the earth was at the centre of the
universe and other planets and the sun revolved
around it.
How was Renaissance belief different?
During the Renaissance people began to think and question
more. Renaissance man took the idea that “man was made in
God’s image” from the bible and said this meant that man
must be special and so must use all his talents. They believed
that human life was valuable and very interesting.
They admired people with wide-ranging talents who they called “universal
men” Perhaps the most famous example of this type of man is Leonardo da
Vinci. He was not only a famous painter but also studied engineering,
anatomy, architecture, physics and meteorology. His sketches and inventions
were way ahead of his time.
The Renaissance touched many aspects of life. It was:
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The desire to know everything – to enquire into new ideas and criticise them.
A belief that humans had great intellect.
A new interest in the human anatomy – stimulated great works of art.
New geographical discoveries by explorers of the new world.
New scientific discoveries and inventions.
Obj: To be able to explain what the Renaissance was.
To suggest reasons why it happened?
1. Copy the definition of the word Renaissance from the box
at the top of your information sheet. (You can put it in a
different color to make it stand out if you wish.)
2. When did the Renaissance take place?
3. Which two classical civilizations did the Italians look to for
their inspiration?
4. What new development made it possible for new
Renaissance ideas to spread quickly throughout Europe?
5. What major event led to new scholars arriving in Italy with
previously unknown classical manuscripts?
GLUE IN YOUR MAP OF ITALY
6. Why did the Renaissance start in Italy?
7. Why are the Middle Ages often know as “The Age of Faith”?
8. Draw Ptolemy’s diagram to show the Church’s teaching about
the universe?
9. How was Renaissance belief different?
10.
Complete the spider diagram to show:
ASPECTS OF THE
RENAISSANCE
LO:
To be able to explain what the Renaissance was.
To suggest reasons why it happened.
1. Copy the definition of the word Renaissance from the box at the top of your information
sheet. (You can put it in a different colour to make it stand out if you wish.)
The Renaissance lasted from the _______ to the ______ century.
It was a period when people looked back to the classical civilizations of
__________________________.
The development of the _____________ in Germany by Johannes Gutenberg
around 1436 meant new Renaissance ideas could ___________________
GLUE IN YOUR MAP OF ITALY
Italy was made up of several _____________________. They were
____________ and a centre for __________. They employed rich who could
afford to build ________, buy _____and employ musicians and _______. The
rival city states _______ with each other to be the best. Many new scholars
arrived in Italy after the _______________ They brought with them
_____________________________________from Greece and Roman times.
The Middle Ages are often called “The Age of Faith” because most ordinary men
and women believed ____________________________________________ .
During the Renaissance people began to ______ and question more. They said
that “man was made in ___________” so man must be ________ and so must
use all his talents.