THE RENAISSANCE 1450 – 1 700

A time period of great change in European society

Video Introduction

Renaissance – the French word for

“rebirth”. The Renaissance time

period refers to the 350 year

cultural movement of learning,

experimentation, and exploration.

1. Artists – painters and sculptors such as

Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.

2. Science – inventors and scientists such as

Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei.

3. Explorers – those who aspired for gold, god,

and glory such as Christopher Columbus.

4. Kings & Queens – rulers that wanted prestige

for their country such as Queen Elizabeth I of

England.

What Does ‘ Renaissance ’ Mean?

Definition: Examples:

Team Act iv i ty – S i l ent Discuss ion

Directions:

1. On a separate sheet of paper, I want you to answer this question: What kind

of cultural movement (change) is the world going through today?

2. Pass your paper to the left. That person is going to make comments on your

paper, by writing down their thoughts.

3. Pass the papers 2 more times and make comments about all things that have

been said so far.

4. You should have different thoughts about your original comment all over

your paper.

Due to the opening of trade routes

to Asia along the Silk Road and new

knowledge brought back from the

Crusades, Europe began to prosper

as a continent. Cities began to grow

and new inventions led to a better

way of life.

City-State – a city that is not under

the control of an entire

country/state. Usually ruled by a rich

and powerful family.

City-states across Italy began growing

and prospering due to trade and a

higher educated class of citizens.

Why Now?

After the Middle Ages: Italian City-States

City States of Italy

Why Italy?:

Geographic Location – due to it’s location, Italy was a robust trade center in Europe. =

TRADE!

Academics – Italy was home to some of the most prestigious universities in the world. =

KNOWLEDGE!

Money – Some of the richest families in the world lived in the city-states of Italy and these

families financed some of the greatest works of art. = MONEY!

I t a ly – The Home o f the Rena i s sance

Humanism – the belief in the

individual. Belief in the worth and

value of people based on evidence,

rather than faith and past beliefs.

People started celebrating

themselves, not only religious figures

anymore.

1. I witness Chris do a fantastic job in

class everyday, therefore, I believe he is a

great student.

2. People have said for 1,000 years that

the earth is in the middle of the universe,

therefore, it has to be.

3. The church is righteous and holy,

therefore, they must always be trusted.

Humanism:

Definition: Humanism or Not?:

Mercantilism – an economic system

in which the government controls

the trade of the country. This

allows for a balance of trade and

for an increase in a nation’s overall

wealth. Exports > Imports = $$

Mercantilism:

Definition: Video:

Team Activity :

Directions:

Take 1 note card out of your team box. Write down

as many products (things) you can think of that the

United States imports (brings in) or exports (sends

out) to/from other countries around the world.

Patron – a wealthy or influential

supporter of an artist or business.

Also known as a ‘sponsor.’ For

example, you and your family are

patrons of restaurants when you

go out to eat.

The Medici Family – patrons

to many of the most famous and

successful artists of the

Renaissance time period.

Medici Family Video

Patrons of the Renaissance:

Definition: Who:

Renaissance Man – a person who

is skilled in multiple fields and has a

broad range of knowledge. For

example, Leonardo da Vinci was a

painter, sculptor, inventor, architect,

mathematician, and politician.

Renaissance Man:

Definition: Leonardo DaVinci – The Original Renaissance Man

Team Activity:

Directions:

Take 1 note card out of your team box.

Write down as many Renaissance

Men/Women you can think of. They can be

in any part of history.

Summary Video

Watch and listen to the final summary video. The teacher speaks really

quickly, but he does a nice job explaining the causes of the

Renaissance and teaching all of Unit 2…in 12 minutes. Enjoy!

Renaissance Summary Video