The Renaissance

The Renaissance

Ca. 1350-1550Opening QuestionFranois Rabelais (c. 1494-1553) French Renaissance humanist and author:Out of the thick Gothic night, our eyes were awakened to the glorious light of the sun.What did Rabelais mean?Why did he believe this?To what extent was he correct? Themes of the RenaissanceOS- (Intellectual history)IS- (Cultural/Social history)SP-(Political history)INT-(Diplomatic history)PP- (Economic history)

What is the Renaissance?What does Renaissance mean?French for rebirth. What was reborn? What was dead?First used in the mid-16th century in reference to medieval paintersClassical learningTo what does the term apply? When & how?Styles in painting & sculptureNew literary formsAn original lifestyleWas there truly a clear, obvious break from the medieval?

Traditional Themes of the RenaissanceHumanismSecularismIndividualismRationalismVirtue (Civic Responsibility)What is true?Time of transition:Increased national consciousnessIncreased political centralizationUrbanizing economy: Capitalism and commerceIncreased lay & secular control of thought, culture, and even religionEssential step toward Reformations

Rough chronology of the RenaissanceUp to 1370, individual geniuses emerge, especially in Italy, but no clear movement1450s -1470s, the Florentine period: Great things happen in FlorenceBy mid to late1450s: Renaissance in Rome, Milan, and VeniceAfter 1500, Renaissance crosses Alps

Italian RenaissanceWhy Italy?Higher level of literacy and lay educationCrossroads of trade & cultural exchangeGreater wealth = patronageHistoric roots in antiquityLess bound to feudal/chivalric valuesCity-states = Urban culture

Why Italy?GeographyRoman LawRich in agriculture and tradeBanking finances trade, facilitates accumulation of capitalTrade w. EastSocial influencesItalian city-statesMany technically constitutional republics, actually oligarchiesDevelopment of bureaucraciesMilitary ethos dominates courtsLarger city states were very militarily aggressiveFlorence becomes dominantTuscan emerges as Italian country languageMedici rulers support secular learningLuxury goods and crafts lead to artistic traditionRelatively high educational levelsRule by merchants/guildsDespotic rule (outside Venice)Venice: Doge and SenatePapal StatesPope a temporal princeBabylonian Captivity?Visconti/Sforza in MilanDe Medici in FlorenceCosimo (r. 1434-1464)Lorenzo the Magnificent (r. 1478-1492)Podesta and condottieri Four major social classesOld rich (old nobles and merchants)New rich (capitalists and bankers)Middle burghers (small business & guilds)The little peoplePerpetual strife and internal warfare

Humanism

HumanismVery vague termMany interpretations: What are they?Burckhardt: Birth of modernity, secular, stress on individualism, secular valuesChampions of Catholic Christianity vs. Aristotelian scholasticismScholarship that promotes civic responsibility & personal liberty = Civic HumanismSimply an educational program based on rhetoric and sound scholarship

Characteristics of Humanist ScholarshipCritical study of classics and Church fathers in original languages (Greek & Latin)Study of the liberal artsGrammarRhetoricPoetryHistoryPoliticsMoral PhilosophyStudy of primary sources instead of received wisdomWhy important? What are the effects?Key early Italian humanist thinkers*Petrarch (1304-1374)Father of humanism, sonnets to Laura*Dante (Divine Comedy), Boccaccio (Decameron) (Both medieval)Vernacular literature*Christine de Pizan (1364-1430) Lorenzo Valla (1406-1457)Disproval of Donation of CanstantinePico della Mirandola (1463-1494)Founds Florentine Platonic AcademyOration on the Dignity of Man (1486)Castiglione (1478-1529)Book of the Courtier

Renaissance SocietyNobles:Baldassare: Book of the CourtierShow achievements and graceSets standards for centuriesPeasants (85-90% of population): Serfdom disappears in Western EuropeTownspeoplePatriciansBurghersWorkersVery low wagesFamily life: Arranged marriagesdowriesFather-centered familyWomen: Perhaps even more repressed, few rights. Why? What was their one place to have social significance?Still, rule within many homes.

Renaissance Conclusion: Northern Renaissance, Discovery, and ArtThe Renaissance and DiscoveryAgenda Day 4:Roll & ReadingDiscuss ReadingLecture/Discussion: Northern RenaissanceHW: Read 338-341 and answer appropriate questions.

Italian Diplomacy & External Wars in the High RenaissanceLate 1400s = Economic & political decline = French & Spanish dominance of peninsulaFall of ConstantinoplePortuguese fleets & Atlantic tradeIncreased competitionPeace of Lodi (1454)French, Spanish, German conflict over ItalyFirst French invasion (1494) on Ludovicos requestCharles VIII plummets through peninsula toward NaplesSpanish/HRE intervene

Florence1494-1498: Savanarola (1452-1498) sets up religious dictatorship opposing Medici, French, PopesExcommunicated, executedMedicis returned Louis XII invades with Pope Alexander VIs supportWars in Italy until 1559Emperor Charles V sacks Rome in 1527HRE dominates most of peninsulaPope depends on HRE for defense against TurksResults?End of High RenaissanceDivision of ItalyIncreasing secular/military involvement of popes (Esp. Alexander VI (Borgia) and Julius II )

MachiavelliFlorentine diplomat in France and RomeBelieved Italians lacked civic virtueThe Prince (1513)Pragmatic guide to obtaining & keeping power.Strong prince could end instability, bring moral regenerationFaith in political leadershipGovernments goal = StabilityNot guide to dictatorship; merely observation.Reasons of state justification for political actionRealpolitik

The New MonarchiesMonarchy strengthens in England, France, and Spain

The New Monarchies (kings up, nobles down)After 1450 Shift from feudal to unified national monarchiesRoyal burghers become royal advisorsTowns ally with king. Why?Representative assemblies begin to emergeEngland: ParliamentFrance: Estates GeneralSpain: CortesNew states = SovereignTaxes, war-making, law enforcement become NATIONALFactors leading to monarchical dominanceAppointments & bureaucraciesStanding national, more professional, armiesRaising money: Rent from domainsNational taxes on food, clothingDirect taxes on peasantsSale of officesBorrowing from Italian, German bankers

New Monarchy: FranceCharles VII (r. 1422-1461)Exceptional advisorsProfessionalization of the army: 100 Years WarDefeat of Burgundy Louis XI (r. 1461-1483)Makes France a great powerFinal defeat of England and elimination of BurgundyHarnesses nobilityExpands trade & industry

New Monarchies: SpainIsabella of Castile (r. 1474-1504) & Ferdinand of Aragon (1479-1516): Marry in 1469In 1492: Complete reconquista of Moors in GrenadaForce conversions or exile of Jews and MuslimsLater conquer Naples (1504) and Navarre (1512) secure bordersNobilitys power reducedTown league (hermandad) supports kingTownspeople replace nobility in administrationChurch power reducedAppointment of higher clergyControl Inquisition (Torquemada)Cardinal Cisneros: Solidifies bond to Catholic ChurchMarriage alliances: Joanna the Mad to Phillp of Habsburg (son=HRE Charles I)Catherine of Aragon (eventually) to Henry VIII

New monarchies: EnglandWar of the Roses (1455-1485)Civil war between houses of York (White) and Lancaster (Red)Richard III (Edward IVs brother York) seizes throne, murders princesSupport wells for Henry Tudor (Lancaster)Henry wins at Bosworth Field (1485) Henry VII (r. 1485-1509)Begins Tudor dynastyEstablishes power over nobilityLegal precedent used to support monarchyTake land and fortunes from nobilityBecome financially independent of Parliament

Closing questionWhat factors led to the strengthening of the New Monarchies?Agenda: Day 5Roll/Opening PictureDiscussion: The Northern RenaissanceHWRead: pp. 341-350.

Big Questions About the Northern RenaissanceHow did the Renaissance transform when it crossed the Alps into the North?Why did northern scholars turn to the Bible and the Church fathers rather than Greece and Rome?Northern RenaissanceNorthern reformers set stage for ReformationNew Learning or Italian LearningExported by students, artists, merchants, and the Brethren of the Common LifeDifferences and similarities between the RenaissancesItalyNorthern EuropeLay culture: urban, literate, affluentSecular culture has greater influence on intellectual lifead fontes: (back to the sources), but focus on Rome & Greece. Reading and study paths to betterment. Civic duty.Man flawed, but perfectible.Stress on free will: Humans free to rise or sink.

Lay culture: rural, illiterate, poorChurch more influential in intellectual lifeScholasticism more deeply rootedad fontes: But, sources tend to be the Bible & Church fathers. Christian humanists also see reading and study as paths to improvement. Religious objectives.Man flawed, but perfectible.Stress on free will: Humans free to rise or sink.

Gutenberg & PrintingLarge increase in lay literacyDevelopment of cheap paper replaces vellumGutenberg prints first book with movable type: Bible (1455).By 1500 40,000 titles publishedBy 1500: 60 presses, 200 around EuropeMostly religious booksLatin & Greek classicsResults?Encourages scholarly researchIncreases public access to learningSpread of new religious ideas

Desiderius Erasmus (1469-1536)Prince of the Humanists: Leading Christian humanistObscure background, modest schools, Brethren of the Common Life = acquaintance with humanismAugustinian, ordained priest, itinerant scholar in Paris, Louvain, Oxford, and Italy. (Befriends Thomas More)Early work: Greek text of New Testament (both a Latin translation and a new Greek edition)Published editions of Church fathers (Jerome, Chrysostom)Philosophy of Christ: Christianity without dogma or ceremonyMost known for Praise of Folly (1512) and Julius ExcludedWill battle Martin Luther on human will and perfectibilityContributes to Protestants, but does not join

Sir Thomas More (1478-1535)Romanticized figure. Middle-class London family, good educationEnters Cardinal Mortons household at 13, begins studiesStudied and even taught lawHolds series of distinguished positions for Henry VIII; Lord Chancellor in 1529Publishes Utopia (1516). Non-existent land based on natural law and simple logic. Satire of contemporary situations.Writes Henry VIIIs opposition to LutherTranslates Old Testament from Hebrew, despite oppositionBreaks with King Henry VIII in matter of his annulment, parting with Roman Church. Executed.A Larger World Opens: Expanded Influence of Western Civilization 1400-1550Age of Exploration and ColonizationOpening QuestionWhat were the factors that drove European exploration and conquest?

Copyright 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All rights reserved.Map 102 EUROPEAN VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY AND THE COLONIAL CLAIMS OF SPAIN AND PORTUGAL IN THE FIFTEENTH AND SIXTEENTH CENTURIES The map dramatizes Europes global expansion in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.

41Motives in the Age of ExplorationAttracted to East for silks, spices, luxuryBypass Venetian and Muslim middle-menPotential for immense profitsDifficult to trade with Islamic empires1453 Byzantine Empire fell to TurksDesire for wealth and adventureReligious zeal- save soulsSummaryGold, God, and Glory (Guns)Improvements in Navigation

Better maps, follow coasts at firstImproved compassBetter ships- square sails and new hull design, heavy enough to carry cannonUse of astrolabe (latitude)Knowledge of wind patternsFirst the Portuguese (Prince Henry) then Spanish, France and EnglandPortuguese ExplorersPrince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460)Hoped to Christianize Africa, link w. AbyssiniaEstablished school of navigation (1419)Explored Madeira and Azores by 1430Cape Verde by (1460)Spanish settlers on allSlave trading station begun in 1442 off of E. AfricaBartholomew Diaz- made it to Cape of Good Hope 1488Vasco da Gama- went in search of Christians and spices- arrived in India in 1498 & returned, rich, in 14991510 Portuguese flags in Goa, India and Macao, ChinaEuropean commerce shifts from Med. to Atlantic

Copyright 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All rights reserved.What Columbus knew of the world in 1492 was contained in this map by the Nuremberg geographer Martin Behaim, creator of the first spherical globe of the earth. The ocean section of Behaims globe is reproduced here. Departing the Canary Islands (in the second section from the right), Columbus expected his first major landfall to be Japan (Cipangu, in the second section from the left). When he landed at San Salvador, he thought he was on the outer island of Japan. Thus, when he arrived in Cuba, he thought he was in Japan.

From ADMIRAL OF THE OCEAN SEA by Samuel Eliot Morison. Copyright 1942 by Samuel Eliot Morison; Copyright renewed 1970 by Samuel Eliot Morison. By permission of Little, Brown and Company, (Inc.)

45The SpanishBelieved had to be a short-cut by sailing westColumbus (Genoan) went west 1492Arrived in Caribbean thought it was the Indies thus the West Indies Three later voyages around CaribbeanAmerigo Vespucci (1501) Coast of BrazilFerdinand Magellan (1480-1521):Circumnavigates the worldDoes not complete himself; One ship returns in 1522East and West divided- Pope drew a line dividing the world between Spain and Portugal (Treaty of Tordesillas - 1494)

Spain in the AmericasMexico and central AmericaPeruAztecs conquer & dominate neighbors by 1500Hernan CortesLands in 1519 w. 600 menDefeats MontezumaNew Spain by 1521 Incas also a harsh empireFrancisco PizarroInvades in 1531Executes Atahualpa (1433)Spanish internal divisions slow consolidation (1560s under royal control)Copyright 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All rights reserved.

Armored Spanish soldiers, under the command of Pedro de Alvarado (d. 1541) and bearing crossbows, engage unprotected and crudely armed Aztecs, who are nonetheless portrayed as larger than life by Spanish artist Diego Duran (16th century).

Codex Duran: Pedro de Alvarado (c. 14851541), companion-at-arms of Hernando Corts (1845-1547) besieged by Aztec warriors (vellum) by Diego Duran (16th Century), Codex Duran, Historia De Las Indias (16th century). Biblioteca Nacional, Madrid, Spain. The Bridgeman Art Library International Ltd.49Slave TradePortuguese- trade with Africa- To Portugal as servants than to Brazil to work on plantationsAfricans less susceptible to European diseases than Native AmericansBut death rate was high: 13-30% just on the tripAfrican middlemen active- depopulate entire areas of Africa- food from Americas helped increase birthrateThe Church in Spanish AmericaThe conquerors wanted to convert the captured native people to Christianity and to accept European cultureSome religious leaders felt the natives were being treated poorly, such as Bartolome de Las CasasDespite the opposition, the Roman Catholic Church becomes one of the most powerful conservative forces in Latin AmericaColumbian ExchangeDiseases go both directionsSyphilis from Americas to EuropeSmallpox, diphtheria, measles, whooping cough, chicken pox, malaria, typhoid, yellow and scarlet fevers, influenza, tuberculosis, and bubonic plague from EuropeansUp to 90% of native population diesNot intentionalAnimals to New WorldCattle, sheep, pigs, goats, donkeys, dogs, cats, and horsesOld World plants to New WorldOats, barley, wheat, and dandelions (!)New World plants to OldMaize (corn), potatoes, and sweet potatoes

Latin America ExploitationMining the Spanish conquistadores or conquerors mined gold and silver with forced laborAgriculture on haciendas, large land estates owned by the peninsulares (people born in Spain) and creoles (people of Spanish descent born in America) used forced labor for mining, farming and ranchingPlantations in the West Indies used slaves to get sugarEconomic activity in government offices, the legal profession, and shippingLabor servitude in order of appearance: Encomienda a formal grant of the right to the labor of a specific number of IndiansRepartimiento required adult male Indians to devote a certain number of days of labor annually to Spanish economic enterprisesDebt peonage Indian laborers required to purchase goods from the landowner to who they were forever indebtedBlack slaveryImpact on EuropeIncreases skepticism of received wisdom. Why?Increased concern with natives welfareBeginning of globalization and European dominanceEconomicallySpiraling, but steady, inflationProblem = Wages lag pricesNew wealth = greater investment in research & expansionSome govt centralization of economic functions

Breakout of capitalismWhat is capitalism?Growth of trade in late Middle Ages spurs development of capitalismBankingItaly: Medici, others, set up major banking centers, branches across ItalyNorthern Europe: FuggersNew industries: Cloth, mining, printing, shipbuilding, armsNew consumer goods: Sugar, tea, rice, tobacco, cocoa