• French Word for “rebirth”

• The transition period in Europe from medieval to modern culture. It is generally viewed as a rebirth or reawakening of learning and the arts.

• It began in the Italian city-states where there was a new form of society emerging. A society where wealth and skill was more important than land ownership and titles of nobility.

The Renaissance1350-1550

ORIGINS

Trade with Asia increased during 1300s Italian merchants organized this trade

and trade cities in Italy grew wealthy Competed to create works that would

increase prestige of their cities Florence became a center for banking,

art, culture & literature The Renaissance began in Italy and

spread throughout Europe

STRICT CLASS SOCIETY• Nobility - most powerful, but smallest group

•Born into this class, not earned• Had to follow strict rules & expectations

• Clergy•Leaders of the church

•Peasants and Townspeople• Townspeople were divided into three groups

• Patricians—had wealth from trade, banking, and industry.

• Burghers---were shopkeepers, artisans, and guild members who provided goods and services.

• Workers (Peasants)—general labor and the unemployed.

• Made up 85-90% of population

HUMANISM A philosophy or attitude that places

humankind and human values, welfare, and creativity at the center of consciousness.

Humanism was the philosophy that, beginning in the 14th century, was a central feature of the Renaissance in Italy, and spread over the rest of Europe in the following three centuries.

It taught classical learning and art as well as to seek fulfillment in daily life, and that each person has dignity and wealth.

FLORENCE The Medici Family ruled Florence from

the 13th – 17th centuries Wanted to make Florence the most

beautiful city, so they became patrons of the Arts

Commissioned many expensive and impressive works of art from the leading artists of the time.

ROME

Home of the Catholic Church Popes commissioned artists to beautify

the city of Rome Spent lots of money on art by leading

artists:

ARTISTS

Michelangelo (1475-1564): born in Caprese Sculptor, painter, architect, poet, engineer Considered the greatest artist of his time period

for his innovative techniques and style Commissioned by the Medici and the Catholic Church

Works include: statue of David & Pieta, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel (frescoe), and was the architect of St. Peter’s Bascilica

Artists continued Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519): born in Vinci

The original Renaissance Man: the ideal humanist

painter, sculptor, architect, scientist, musician, inventor, mathematician

Best known as a painter for such works as the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper

Also revered for his technical ingenuity: Produced sketches of helicopters & tanks, developed theories on solar power and plate tectonics

LITERATURE Petrarch (1304-1374)- the father of Humanism

scholar & poet Recovered manuscripts & works of Greek & Roman writers

Dante (1265-1321)– father of Italian Language Divine Comedy – greatest works of Italian literature

Written in everyday language (first to do this)

Machiavelli (1496-1527) - Italian statesman, author, and philosopher His best-known work, The Prince

Shakespear (1564-1616) – English writer Considered the greatest writer of all time Wrote 38 plays, 154 sonnet Reflected the Renaissance ideals of classical Greek &

Roman Culture

SCIENCE

Johannes Gutenberg (1398 – 1468): German blacksmith, goldsmith, printer & publisher Developed movable type for printing which

allows for the mass production of books Revolutionizes book making and helps spread

the ideas of the Renaissance Impact of this invention: easier to publish books,

increases literacy & increases production of vernacular literature (common language – not Latin)

CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE RENAISSANCE Invention of Gutenberg Press Banking Industry Exploration, colonization of new world Expansion of trade Humanism Reintroduction of Greek & Roman

knowledge & philosophy Gateway to modern art forms Increased scientific knowledge & desire to

know more

THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION

Religious reforms dividing the western Christian Church

Roman Catholic Church criticized for abuse of power and corruption

Christian Humanists – wanted to reform Church Believed through reason, and studying the classics

one could become more pious (Christ-like) Desiderius Erasmus – father of Christian Humanism

Suggested reforming from within the Church

DESIDERIUS ERASMUS Erasmus was a Dutch scholar,

humanist, and theologian. Was ordained a Catholic priest, but

never practiced priestly duties. Instead, he studied theology and

classical Greek at the universities in Paris and Cambridge.

Critical of some of the practices and doctrines of the Catholic Church.

Sought to reform the Catholic Church.

CALLS TO REFORM THE CHURCH

In Praise of Folly – by Erasmus Best-seller (only Bible sold more by 1550) Criticized immorality and hypocrisy of

Church leaders and the clergy Book inspired renewed calls for reform,

and influenced Martin Luther

WHY REFORM?

Popes corrupted by power & lose focus of spiritual leadership

Scientific advances contradicted the Church

People wanted to know how to save souls

Indulgences – a release of a soul from purgatory for monetary donation – a HUGE abuse of Church power!!

MARTIN LUTHER (1483-1546)

He was a monk and professor at the university of Wittenberg, where he lectured on the Bible.

Through his study of the Bible, Luther came to reject the Catholic teaching that both faith and good works were necessary for salvation.

3 IMPORTANT TEACHINGS OF MARTIN LUTHER

Salvation is by faith alone and not works.

Religious truth and authority is found only in the Bible, not the clergy or the Church.

The church was a priesthood of believers not a hierarchy of clergy.

NINETY-FIVE THESES Angered by the practice of the selling of

indulgences by the Church, on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. Luther’s written objections to indulgences 1,000 copies distributed through Germany

This was originally intended to invite debate from other Catholic theologians, but is now considered to be the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.

THE REFORMATION BEGINS By 1521 Luther moving toward split from Church Wanted German princes to overthrow Papal power in

Germany and establish a German Church Luther is excommunicated

Summoned by Imperial Diet of Holy Roman Empire to Worms

Called by Emperor Charles V, wanted Luther to change his ideas, Luther – “NO”

Edict of Worms issued, making Luther an outlaw Luther kept in hiding by his prince

Here I stand.I can do no other.

God help me.Amen.

PROTESTANTISM SPREADS Ulrich Zwingli – priest in Zurich, Switzerland

Banned all religious relics & images Whitewashed all church interiors No Music in church services Does not merge with Luther because they can’t

agree with the meaning of communion John Calvin – replaces Zwingli (killed in religious

war) Frenchman who fled for safety to Switzerland 1536 – began reforming Switzerland Sent missionaries thru Europe to convert

Catholics Ideas spread to France, Netherlands & Scotland By Mid 1500’s – Calvinism more popular than

Lutheranism

REFORMATION IN ENGLAND

Political, not religious motives for reform

Henry VIII – King of England Needs a male heir to carry on

Tudor Dynasty Married Catherine of Aragon

(related to Holy Roman Emperor - German)

Have a daughter, Mary No son, so Henry wants a

divorce! In Catholic Church, you need an

annulment granted by the Church.

REFORMATION IN ENGLAND CONT. Pope refused to grant an annulment, too

political (King of England vs. Holy Roman Emperor – German)

After long argument, Henry decides to break from the Church

Archbishop of Canterbury grants divorce Act of Supremacy (1534)established the

Church of England (Anglican Church) King has control over Doctrine and appointments Dissolves Catholic claims, sells land &

possessions But remained close to Catholic teachings

WHAT WAS THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION?

Prior to the Reformation, all Christians were Roman Catholic

The [REFORM]ation was an attempt to REFORM the Catholic Church

People like Martin Luther wanted to get rid of the corruption and restore the people’s faith in the church.

In the end, the reformers, like Luther, established their own religions.

The Reformation caused a split in Christianity with the formation of these new Protestant religions.