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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.