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)
How many of you know….
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
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