Renaissance&

Reformation

Impact of the Crusades

• A major results of the Crusades, includes an increase in trade. European interest in goods from the east was stimulated by returning Crusaders who brought back many things. As the Crusades ended, ships that were once used to carry soldiers to the Middle East, now carried trade goods. Merchants from rich Italian city states, such as Venice and Florence, dominated this trade.

Trade Fairs and Growth of Cities

• Along the trade routes, trade fairs were established in towns with larger populations, or at major crossroads. Merchants and craftsman settled in these towns, and some grew to be cities of several thousand people. This fundamentally altered the way people lived in Europe, and marked the beginning of the end of feudalism as serfs began to pay their feudal obligations with cash instead of service. An economy based on money, not barter emerged.

The Black DeathThe bubonic plague was a highly infectious disease

spread by the fleas on rats. Rats were common in the cities of this time.

This particular outbreak first appeared in China In the early 1300’s with deaths of about 35 million Chinese.

It was a global epidemic that that spread through the increased trade between counties.

Between 1347 and 1353, the plague killed one person out of every three in Europe, over 25 million.

Middle Ages

Feudal System

Manors

Church is all knowing

Focus on the Afterlife

Focus on Group

RenaissanceMiddle class, merchants

Trade/money/lending/ banking/insurance

Questioned church practices

Celebrate life/Enjoy the Present/ Humanism

Focus on Individual

The Renaissance• Renaissance means “rebirth”. It was a golden age in

the arts, literature and sciences.• During the Middle ages, philosophers and writers

were concerned with life after death.• Instead of the medieval preoccupation of life after

death, a new way of thinking, Humanism, focused on life in the present and emphasized individual achievements.

• Ancient knowledge was rediscovered and the Classical period of the Greeks and Romans were glorified.

Why Italy?Urban Centers– Large city-states in northern Italy– Cities – breeding ground for intellectual revolution– Cities – Florence, Milan– Thriving centers of trade and manufacturing

Wealthy Merchant Class– Merchants – wealthiest, most powerful class & dominated

politics– Had $ to pursue other interests – Arts/education– Medici Family –

Cosimo de’ Medici – Influenced the ruling council (loans))Lorenzo de’ Medici – behind the scene dictator

– Classical Heritage– Return to Greek and Roman ideals– Arts and scholars – inspired by ruins of Rome– 1300’s = Latin and Greek manuscripts studied

New Outlook/AttitudeClassical - Worldly

• Patrons of Arts– Church – spent $$$ beautifying

Rome– Wealthy families – supported artists

• Renaissance Man– Ideal individual strove to master all

areas of study– “universal man”

• Renaissance Woman– Inspire but not create art– Less influential than middle age

women

Renaissance Art

• Some of the greatest paintings, sculptures, and architecture in the history of the world.

• Greek and Romans styles were used for columns, arches, and domes.

• Artists were supported by merchants, popes and princes.

• Art was detailed, realistic, and reflected study of human anatomy

Michelangelo

Leonardo da Vinci

Literary Achievements

• Dante Wrote the Divine Comedy

• Cervantes wrote Don Quixote

• Shakespeare wrote many plays and poetry

• Machiavelli wrote The Prince

Scientific achievementsGalileo Galileiwas an Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer,

and philosopher who played a major role in the scientific revolution. His achievements include improvements to the telescope.

Galileo has been called the "father of science“.He supported the idea that the sun was the center of

our solar system, which went against the teachings of the church at the time. He was tried for heresy and put under house arrest for the rest of his life. He died in 1642.

The Catholic Church apologized to Galileo in 1992.

Impact of Printing Press• By 1300 papermaking and

print technology had reached Europe from China.

• The invention of moveable type led Gutenberg to print the Bible in 1456.

• Books became more available

• Literacy increased• Ideas spread rapidly

Causes of Reformation

• The Renaissance. Humanism led people to question Church authority as increasing faith was put in human reason.

• Strong Monarchs. A weakened church meant strong national monarchs could increase their power.

• Problems within the church. Corruption among church leaders. Increased fees for marriage, baptism and indulgences for the pardon of sins.

Protestantism

• In 1517 a German monk, named Martin Luther posted his famous 95 Theses against indulgences.

• Promoted radical idea that faith in God alone, not the Pope granted pardon for sins.

• Sparked Protestant Reformation.• Followers of Luther’s beliefs were called Lutherans

and---eventually----Protestants, because they protested Papal authority.

• A French priest, John Calvin, an influential reformer who also preached predestination started another protestant movement.

Martin Luther and John Calvin

• Ideas spread to Northern Germany and Scandinavia

• Ideas spread to France, Germany, Holland, England and Scotland

“Unless I am convicted by scripture and plain reason, I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils,

for they have contradicted each other, my conscience is captive to the Word of God.

I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. 

God help me. Amen.” Martin Luther’s defense at his Catholic inquisition, April 1521

Counter Reformation• A reform movement also took place in the Catholic

Church.• The purpose was to strengthen the Catholic Church

and keep Catholics from converting to Protestantism• 1545 Council of Trent reaffirmed Catholic beliefs and

worked to end abuses• Ignatius Loyola founded the Jesuits. Jesuit

missionaries helped spread Catholism around the world

Effects of Reformation

• Formation of Protestant Churches• Loss of religious and political unity in Western

Europe• Religious conflicts sparked wars among the

European states for over 100 years• Anti-Semitism. Religious persecution

increased, especially against Jews. • Witch Hunts

Summary• From the late Middle Ages feudalism continued to

decline as kings, nobles and the Church struggled for power. A growing population and increase in trade led to a commercial revolution in Europe and a growing middle class. The Renaissance sparked a new way of looking at the world and the printing press helped new ideas such as the Reformation continue to challenge the old order. Nations began to unite under strong monarchs and nation states emerged.