The Renaissance(ca. 1350-1600)

The re-birth of European civilization.

In what specific ways was the Renaissance different from the Middle Ages?

Question of the Day:

The Middle Ages – ca. 500-1350.

a.k.a., Medieval Times or The Dark Ages.

I. The Middle Ages

Roman Empire

Middle AgesRenaissan

ce

ca. 500-1350ca. 44-500 ca. 1350-1600

Chaotic time marked by constant warfare between competing lords.

Most commoners were serfs living on isolated manors.

Serfs worked the land, lords and their knights provided protection.

I. The Middle Ages (cont.)

What was limited? Trade. Travel. Education. Communication with the outside world.

I. The Middle Ages (cont.)

The Catholic Church was a very powerful force in people’s daily lives.

Controlled the path to salvation with:1) sacraments.2) the threat of ex-communication.

I. The Middle Ages (cont.)

3 major events contributed to the end of the Middle Ages:

1) The Crusades (1096-1204).

Led to: decreased warfare among knights.

increased trade, travel & communication.

II. End of the Middle Ages

2) The Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453).

New weapons developed. Strong kings emerged. Feudal warfare decreased.

II. End of the Middle Ages (cont.)

3) The Black Death (late 1300s),

The bubonic plague killed 25 million people in Europe.

1/3 of the population died within about 50 years.

II. End of the Middle Ages (cont.)

Upper Class: Lords and Clergy.

New Middle Class: Merchants & Bankers, Doctors & Lawyers, Skilled Craftsmen & Wealthy peasants.

Lower Class: Serfs.

III. The Emerging Middle Class

4 factors contributing to rise of the new Middle Class:

1) Return of a money economy. 2) Growth of towns/trading centers.

3) Wealth based on money. 4) Social mobility.

III. The Emerging Middle Class (c0nt.)

New emphasis on education as a path to social mobility.

Explosion of schools & universities.

Johan Gutenberg perfected the printing press in 1455.

Improved access to information.

IV. Education & Individual Achievement

New emphasis on individual achievement.

Development of unique talents could lead to social mobility.

People worked to distinguish themselves from the masses.

IV. Education & Individual Achievement

(cont.)

New emphasis on the cultural arts:

Music. Drama. Literature. Painting & Sculpting. Architecture.

V. Cultural Arts

Middle class townspeople:Money + leisure time =

ENTERTAINMENT!

Wealthy people became patrons of the arts & sponsored artists.

V. Cultural Arts (cont.)

The Duomoca. 1450 –Filippo Brunelleschi

David (1504) –Michelangelo

Mona Lisa (1507) –Leonardo da Vinci

Romeo and Juliet (1597) – William Shakespeare

In what specific ways was the Renaissance different from the Middle Ages?

Question of the Day: