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The Renaissance
Modern World History
December 2011
• Renaissance
Basic Information
– Time period between the years 1350 - 1600
– Means “Rebirth”
• Of what?
– The Ancient Greek & Roman world
Major Characteristics of the Renaissance
• Urban Society
• City-states became very powerful political, economic and social
centers
• Secular Viewpoint
• As wealth increased, it created new possibilities for material
things
• People became more “worldly”
• Age of Recovery
• Recovery from disasters like: the Black Plague, political
instability, and the decline of the church
• Emphasis on Individual Ability
• Realization that one person could be talented in many ways
• Milan
• 2 Families: Visconti & Sforza
Families
– Worked hard to build a strong
centralized state
– Created efficient tax system
which led to enormous
revenues
• Venice
• Linked Asia to Western Europe
– Its location drew traders from
all over the world
– Became the Italian center of
trade
• Florence
• Cultural center of Italy
• De ‘ Medici Family
– Controlled the government of
Florence
– Briefly pushed out of power
by Girolamo Savonarola
» Dominican preacher who
ruled briefly but was
pushed out because he
was too strict on
gambling, swearing & art
Italian City States
of Importance
Society During the Renaissance
• Nobility
• a lot of new wealth was emerging
• Dominated society (advisors to the king & held political
positions)
• Book “The Book of the Courtier” – by Baldassare Castiglione –
1528
– Described the perfect noble as:
» Born, not made
» Possesses character, grace & talent
» 2 Skills: a) physical fitness and b) education & knowledge in
the arts
» Show off achievements with grace
» Serve prince in an effective & honest way
Society During the Renaissance
• Peasants/Townspeople
• 80-90% of the population
• Serfdom was in decline – most people became legally free
• Townspeople = 8% of population
» Artisans & Merchants
• Urban Society
• Social Classes
– Patricians
» Dominated economics,
politics and social life
» Wealth came from
banking, trade &
industry
– Burghers
» Shopkeepers, artisans,
guild-masters
» Providers of goods &
services
» Will eventually become
the middle class
– Workers
» Earned pitiful wages
– Unemployed
» Miserable lives of
begging & stealing to
survive
Society During the
Renaissance
Renaissance Family & Marriage
• Patriarchal
• Father’s ruled over wife &
children
– Authority was final until
death or freedom given in
front of a judge
• Provided Great Security
• Urban life was scary &
sometimes cruel
• The family provided
safety & security
• Arranged Marriages
• Strengthened business or
even family ties
• Contacts were worked out
well in advance
– Sometimes as early as age
2 or 3
• Dowry
– Sum of $ given by the
wife’s family to husband
– Wife had no share in her
husband’s wealth