RENAISSANCE AND REFORMATION1350-1600

The Italian RenaissanceRenaissance means “rebirth”Began in Italy and spread to rest

of EuropeThree general characteristics:

◦Renaissance Italy was a largely urban society

◦This was a period of recovery from the disasters of the 14th century

◦A new view of human beings emerged that emphasized individual ability

Italian StatesMilan

◦One of the richest city-states◦Efficient tax system, with growing

revenuesFlorence

◦Established as a major city-state after a series of wars with neighbors

Venice◦Drew traders from all over the world◦This made Venice an international

power

Italian WarsKing of France,

Charles VIII led an army to Italy in 1494

The Italian states turned to Spain for assistance

Spain and France fought in Italy for thirty years

Rome was eventually sacked by a mob of Spanish soldiers

This ended the war

Renaissance Society Nobility

◦ Made up 2-3% of the population

◦ Held most important political posts

Peasants and Townspeople◦ 85-90% of the population◦ During the 1300-1400s,

their level of poverty increased dramatically

Family and Marriage◦ Arranged marriages◦ Included a dowry◦ Father-husband was the

center of the family

HumanismBased on the study

of the literary works of ancient Greece and Rome

Humanists study grammar, rhetoric, poetry, philosophy and history

Petrarch is known as the father of Renaissance humanism

Italian Renaissance ArtSought to imitate

natureReality in their

subjectsNew techniques in

painting emerged: Frescos, three dimensions, realistic portrayal of the individual

Famous Renaissance Artists: Raphael, Michelangelo, da Vinci

Christian HumanismMajor goal was to

reform the Catholic Church

Believed in the ability of humans to reason and improve themselves

Believed that in order to improve society, humans must first be improved

WHY WAS REFORM NEEDED?

1. Corruption in the church2. Leaders of the church were failing to meet

their responsibilities3. Indulgences were being sold

Martin LutherMonk in GermanyBelieved that humans were saved by their faith

in GodOctober 31, 1517, Luther sent a list of ninety-

five theses to his church superiors explaining the abuses of the church

People throughout Germany read the document

By 1520, Luther had begun to make a definite break with the Church

Luther’s doctrine became known as Lutheranism and his churches Lutheran churches