The Italian Renaissance

Defining the Renaissance

Renaissance = “rebirth” 1350-1600 (250 yrs.) Italian Renaissance - the period of

European history that began in Italy and spread to the rest of Europe

Characteristics of the Renaissance

1. Renaissance Italy - mostly an urban societyo Powerful city-states became centers of

Italian political, economic & social lifeo See map - pg. 163o Result - an emergence of secular, or

worldly, society as increased wealth created new enjoyment of material things

Characteristics (cont.)

2. Age of recovery from 14th C. disastersoBlack PlagueoPolitical instabilityoDecline in Church poweroResult - rebirth of interest in classical

antiquity, (ancient Greek & Roman culture) which affected politics & art

Characteristics (cont.)

3. IndividualismoEmphasis on individual abilityoHigh regard for human worthoRealization of what individuals could

achieve

Characteristics (cont.)

4. HumanismoBased on study of the classics & the

literary works of ancient Greece & RomeoStudied grammar rhetoric, poetry, moral

philosophy & history (the humanities)

Humanism (cont.)oPetrarch - Father of Italian Renaissance

humanismoStressed:

o Intellecto Civic involvement

Renaissance Geo-Political Life

Italian City-StatesoNo central, unified monarchical state o Lack of single strong ruler - easy for C-S

to remain independento Milano Venice expanded & played criticalo Florence roles in Italian politics

oProspered in terms of trade

Milan (Milano)

o Visconti Family - dukes of Milan/ Lombardio Viscontis died off - Sforzas conquered o Sforza -

o Efficient tax system = large state revenueso hired mercenaries (soldiers who sold their services)

• Pair & Share: • What would be 1 advantage & 1 disadvantage of

hiring mercenaries?

Venice (Venezia)

o Link btwn. Asia & W. Europe = profitable trade empire & international power

o Officially a republic w/ elected leadero Realistically run by small group of

wealthy merchant aristocrats who ran gov’t for own benefit

Florence (Firenze)

o Powerhouse of Tuscanyo de Medici Family

oBankersoUsed power, wealth, & personal influence

to make Florence the cultural center of Italy

o Birthplace of the Renaissance

Renaissance Society Read pgs. 166-169 Group Activity

– Group 1: Nobility– Group 2: Patricians & Burghers– Group 3: Peasants & Workers – Group 4: Marriage & Family Life

Use Newsprint & Marker to outline general information and the roles played by your topic in Renaissance society

You will have 10 minutes to do this, then will present to the class (all to take notes)

Machiavelli & Politics

Niccolò Machiavelli Wrote The Prince A “how to” guide for

rulers One of THE most

influential books ever written

Homework

Worksheet: Read excerpt from Machiavelli’s The Prince and answer

the 3 questions that follow