The Renaissance What was the Renaissance The rebirth

The Renaissance

What was the Renaissance? The “rebirth” of learning that took place after the Middle Ages Many great works of art, literature and philosophy were created This ends up leading to important changes in religion as well (the Reformation)

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Italy was the center of the Renaissance for three reasons: Thriving cities Crusades resulted in a lot of trade This contributed to the rise of cities in Italy Strong merchant class They dominated politics Didn’t inherit social rank like nobles Focus in Italy was on their classical heritage Inspired by classical art and learning

The Renaissance & Politics Religion’s power decreases Increasing importance of secular (non-religious) politics

Humanism: The Big Idea of the Renaissance

HUMANISM Idea which focused on the importance of individuals and human society

Focus of Renaissance Humanism Individual worth Importance of human achievement Importance of the human experience Not anti-religious, but less based on religion as a philosophy

Humanism’s Effects on Art Led to: Realism Focus on the human form Emotion Unique representations of human faces

Humanism’s Effects on Politics Emphasized independent states instead of a community of Christendom Led to progress – change seen as driven by people, not God

Humanism’s Effects on Knowledge Led to increased education More reading and literature Scientific Advancements

Identify Humanism’s Impact "At last, it seems to me that I have understood why man is the most fortunate living thing worthy of all admiration and precisely what rank is his lot in the universal chain of being, a rank to be envied not only by the brutes but even by the stars and by minds beyond this world. " Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, Oration on the Dignity of Man