Notes on RenaissanceNotes: “Renaissance”SocialPoliticalReligious IntellectualTechnologicalEconomic

Renaissance in a NutshellRebirth of Classical Antiquity The world of the Greeks and Romans

Urbanization of society Cities the center of Renaissance Europe

Individualism The glory of God is reflected through human potential and

achievement Man becomes more of the center and measure of all things A well-rounded individual is the ideal

Secularism Decreased singular importance of religion

SocialUrbanization fueled major social changesGrowth of the merchants/bourgeoisieImportance of Guilds in RenaissancePersecution of Jews

UrbanizationEurope remained predominantly rural, but cities rapidly Strong relationship between trade, manufacturing

and urbanzation Northern Italian cities and Flanders

Growth in Bourgeoisie and Petit Bourgeoisie Bourgeoisie- Owners of capitalistic enterprises

Served as patrons of culture Petit Bourgeoisie- Shopkeepers, artisans,

guildmaster who provided goods and services for local consumption

GuildsTrade associations that regulated the practice and access to tradesServed to limit competition and perpetuate

male dominance in trade/businessResulted in continued inequalitiesDiscriminated against Jews

Persecution of JewsMost Jews resided in Europe’s citiesUrban-oriented because of focus on trade and business (money-lending) Jews often excluded from other

professionsPersecuted Jews in times of crisisExpelled from Spain in 1492 after many years of persecution

PoliticalEnd of Papal SupremacyRise of the “New Monarchies” (France, England, Spain)Political Fragmentation in Italy and Holy Roman Empire Varying Power of NobilityAdvent of “Machiavellian” Politics

End of Papal SupremacyEnd of papal supremacy epitomized by Pope Bonaface VIII (Pope is superior to every living creature)Pope arrested by King Phillip of FranceEstablishment of “alternative” papal seat in Avignon, FranceMonarchical power over popes increased

Rise of New MonarchiesFrance- Enmity towards England during Hundred Years War (1337-1453) increased nationalistic feelings England- First Tudor King (Henry VII) established strong monarchy and reduced power of nobles by taking away armiesSpain- Isabela (Castile) and Ferdinand (Aragon) marriage unified Spain

Political FragmentationHoly Roman Empire (A Confederation of independent states in present-day Germany)Italy- Lack of centralized political authority with many city-states (Florence, Siena, Venice)Ensuing competition between France and

Spain for control of Italy

Varying Power of NobilityEngland- Nobility secured guarantee of hereditary rights through Magna CartaOther Locations- Weakened by new military technology that made reduced impenetrability of fortesses

Advent of Machiavellian Politics

Machiavelli (1469-1527)Focus on how leaders could acquire, maintain, and expand political powerContrasted with ruling according to

Christian-based moral principles

“Ends justify the means”Morality NOT a part of political activity

ReligiousEnd of Church’s supremacy in “national affairs”Rise of Skepticism (Impact of Black Death)Advent of Christian Humanism and ScholasticismIncreased Corruption of PapacyFusion of Official Christianity and “Nationalism” in Spain

End of Church Supremacy in Nat’l Affairs

Major challenges to Church supremacy by France (political)Cultural supremacy challenged by Renaissance patrons of the arts (Medici)Scientific advancements directly contradicted Church doctrine

Forces for ChangeRise of Skepticism Result of the Black Death

A major questioning of religion and even the existence of God

Worldly, Corrupt Nature of Renaissance Popes Series of corruption scandals Involvement in worldly affairs

Julius II (1503-1513) led armies personally against Venice

Advent of Christian Humanism and Scholasticism

Christian Humanism (Erasmus- 1466-1536): Believed that Christianity should be a guiding philosophy for the direction of daily life rather than a system of dogmatic beliefsScholasticism- Effort to synthesize faith and reason with AristotleThomas Aquinas (Summa Theologica)

IntellectualDevelopment of secular, individualist literatureStunning development “naturalist” painting with focus on the human form (Da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo)Popularization of the intellectual literary realm

Development of secular, individualist literature

Written in vernacular to reach broad audiencesFocus on the individual and individual attitudesOften quite secularDante: Divine ComedyChaucer: Canterbury Tales

Artistic (Big Three)Focused on persuading audiences of the reality of the event/person they were painting/sculptingDa Vinci- Focused on realism

Mona Lisa and Last SupperRaphael- Best known for frescoesMichelangelo- Focused on ideal human

with perfect proportionsSistine Chapel and the David

http://www.artchive.com/artchive/l/leonardo/lastsupp.jpg

Popularization of the Intellectual

Printing press led to the popularization of literary works1500- 10 million books printed in 238

towns in W. Europe

Led to greater focus on secular literature

The Elizabethan Age Renaissance spreads to England in mid-1500sPeriod known as the Elizabethan Age after Queen Elizabeth IShe reigns from 1558 to 1603As queen she did much to support the development of English art and literature.

Shakespeare- the greatest writer

Often regarded as the greatest playwright Wrote Hamlet, Macbeth,

Othello, and Taming of the Shrew

Also wrote countless poetry

Revered classics and drew on them for inspiration and plots.1554 to 1615 in EnglandPlays performed at Globe Theater in London

TechnologicalAdvent of Water WheelsMajor changes in military technologyInvention of the movable metal-type printing pressSignificant architectural achievements (Gothic churches)Key maritime invention and improvements

Technological Advancements

Water Wheels>>>>>> Advances in iron-related industriesImproved Crossbow (NOT “humble arrow”)>>>>> Reduced power of knights and manorismFirearm and Gunpowder>>> Could penetrate fortesses. Led to reduced power of manorism

Technological Advancements

Great improvements on Chinese carved wood blocks: movable pieces of type, new ink, printing pressJohann Gutenberg (1394-1468)Led to tremendous proliferation of books in EuropeExpansion of unorthodox ideas

EconomicTremendous economic improvement in Europe during RenaissanceRapid development of trade (Venice, Genoa, Flanders and Hanseatic League)Increased European self-sufficiency