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Unit 1 – The Renaissance
Introduction: The Renaissance was a time period that began in Italy in the
1300’s, inspired by Roman and Greek ideas. This period saw a massive
rebirth of cultural ideas around art, literature, and architecture. However,
there was also great change on the ideas surrounding politics, government,
religion and science.
The Renaissance challenged the ideas of the Catholic Church. The Catholic
Church had always focused on life AFTER death (heaven or hell). However,
the Renaissance focused on the here and now. What a person did in their
lifetime was more important: seek out adventure! Seek out new ideas! Seek
out power and money!!
These new ways of thinking would change Europe and the world forever.
Key Terms/Key Figures
You should be able to define, explain, and apply the following terms as necessary:
Renaissance
Patron
Humanism
Perspective
Leonardo da Vinci
Michelangelo
Machiavelli
Northern
Renaissance
Sir Thomas More
Utopia
Johan Gutenberg
Printing Press
The Black Death
Means “the rebirth”; a time of creativity and change in cultural,
political, social and economic areas; started in Italy
Key Facts
Overview
 Renaissance means Rebirth….what was being “reborn”?
 Humanism became a focus on the human form, human mind and human capabilities
 It was ok to celebrate the human form: We are small reflections of God
 The Plague had killed millions. With less people there was more money for everyone
Italy
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Renaissance began in Italy; focused in key cities such as Florence, Venice and Rome
Focus and proximity to Roman & Greek history led to renewed interest in ancient
ideas of government, art, etc.
Italy was a peninsula, land surrounded by water on 3 sides, and became focus of
shipping and new ideas from around the world came into Italy
Italy became extremely wealthy and supported artists and new construction
Art
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Art focuses on being much more realistic to human shape/form. Look at The David,
the Vitruvian Man
Religion and Humanism blend in art: The David is a biblical character in perfect
human form
Religion
 Religion focuses on the human component: Jesus is a man, Mary is a woman, etc.
 Humans need to figure out their own role in God’s universe; you must be a good,
intelligent person in order to improve your soul and live up to what God wants you to
be
 Catholic Church had control over education before Renaissance
 New ideas of humanity, liberty, politics and religion will challenge the power of the
Catholic Church
 Desiderius Erasmus of Holland writes a book that criticizes the Church for its many
mistakes…others will soon follow
Northern Renaissance
 Many scholars from England, Austria, Holland and German States went to Italy to
study their new ideas; returning home with ideas of their own
 Printing Press permits mass production of books, so no need to even go to Italy
anymore
 North will focus more on the errors of the Church and attempt to fix them
Science & Technology
 Johann Guttenberg invents printing press; books are cheaper & more people read
 Books from ancient Greece & Rome and those that challenge the Church are mass
produced
 Books on Geography, Navigation, explorations become best sellers
 Nicholas Copernicus promotes new idea that the sun and NOT earth is center of
universe; known as heliocentric
Areas of Focus
Why would Italy be the birthplace of the Renaissance?
How did art and the idea of Humanism challenge the
Church?
Vs.
How did the Northern Renaissance differ from the Renaissance in Italy? What did it
promote? Why did it start later?
Vs.
What were three effects of the “Printing Revolution”?