The Renaissance-an Introduction

1. The Renaissance
An Introduction

2. The Renaissance
 Means “Rebirth”
 Rebirth of what?
 Culture
 Art
 Science
 Ideas & Learning
 Renaissance begins in the late1300’s, probably Florence, Italy

3. Question:
What brought about the Renaissance?
The Black Death and the Crusades

4. The Black Death (Plague) 1346 A.D.
 Europe experiences a massive decline in population
 Labor is hard to find (scarce)
 Towns and many serfs freed from feudal obligations
 Church’s influence declines
 Disrupts pattern of trade.

5. Economic Effects of the Crusades
 Increased demand for Middle Eastern products
 Stimulated production of goods to trade in Middle Eastern
markets
 Encouraged the use of credit (borrowing money) and banking.

6. Important Economic Concepts
 Church rule against usury and the bank’s practice of
charging interest helped to secularize northern Italy.
 Letters of credit served to expand the supply of
money and speed-up trade.
 New accounting and bookkeeping practices (use of
Arabic numerals) were introduced. Roman numeral
system (5 biquinary system) used prior to this.

7. Impact of Crusades and Black Death
 Feudalism no longer works
 Growth of trading towns and cities
 Cities are free from feudal obligations
 Manorialism no longer works
 Not enough workers
 Demand for Middle Eastern Goods causes increase in trade

8. Florence, Venice, & Genoa (Italy)
 Were initially independent
city-states governed as
republics.
 Had access to trade routes
connecting Europe with
Middle Eastern Markets.
 Served as trading centers for
the distribution of goods to
northern Europe

9. Humanism
 The study of humans and humanity
 Celebrated the individual
 Stimulated the study of Greek and Roman literature and
culture
 Was supported by wealthy patrons (people who
supported artists and writers)

10. Humanism (cont.)
 During Renaissance, people turn away from religion.
 Celebrates the here and now, don’t wait for the
afterlife.
 People still believe in God.
 Religion just isn’t everything.