Download The Renaissance and Humanism

The Renaissance and Humanism
Europe, 1100s-1300s
What was the Renaissance?
• A time of creativity and change.
• Renaissance means “rebirth”
• Rebirth of art, literature, and science
after the Middle Ages.
Before the Renaissance…
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It was the Middle Ages
Most people lived on manors under feudalism
Most people were serfs
Most people could not read or write
Before the Renaissance…
• There was no money economy
• Art revolved around the church
Causes of the Renaissance
• Crusades caused an increase in trade
• Money gained importance
Causes of the Renaissance
• Bubonic Plague caused a decline in the
population.
• Labor became scarce.
• Serfs could demand more rights, including the
right to be paid for their labor.
• Serfs could also leave the manor in search of
better opportunities.
• Many moved to cities in search of a better life.
Causes of the Renaissance
• Commercial Revolution created a money
economy
Causes of the Renaissance
• Merchants became wealthy and had extra
money to spend
• Much of the extra money was spent on art
Where did it begin?
• The Renaissance began in Italy.
Why did it begin in Italy?
• Italian city-states were centers of trade
• Merchants in these cities were wealthy
• They had extra money to spend on the arts
New Ways of Thinking
• During the Middle Ages, art and literature
focused on religious themes and life after
death.
New Ways of Thinking
• During the
Renaissance, thinkers
began to focus on life
in the present.
• Renaissance thinkers
developed a new way
of thinking called
Humanism.
Humanism
What word do you see in “humanism”?
HUMAN!
This should help you remember what it means.
Humanism:
• a new way of thinking that humans could achieve
things on their own without God.
• The idea that humans are powerful and that their
achievements should be celebrated.
• This often comes up in the multiple choice
section of the regents exam!
Artistic Achievements
• Art was supported by
wealthy merchants
• Artists rejected medieval
art and returned to Greek
and Roman styles
(*rebirth*)
• Art reflected humanist
concerns
– Realistic
– Painted every day
people and events
Famous Artists
• Michelangelo: painted
the Sistine Chapel
• Leonardo da Vinci:
Mona Lisa, sketches of
anatomy
Literary Achievements
• During the Middle Ages, books were written in
Latin and few could read them.
• During the Renaissance, books were written in
everyday language (English, Spanish, French)
so more people could read.
• This reflected humanism
• Everyday language=vernacular
Famous Writers
Shakespeare: Wrote about
the joys and sorrows of
human life.
Machiavelli:
• Wrote about the best
way for leaders to rule
• Believed it was better to
be feared than loved
• Believed the ends
justify the means
Summary of the Renaissance
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Period in Europe after the Middle Ages
A *rebirth* of learning, art, and science
Rise of humanism
Many famous artists and writers reflected
humanism in their work